ellissa

Always loved train journeys as a child because buses (especially 'charas') & trams made me feel sick. The trains were so comfortable with beautiful woodwork in the carraiges, clean upholstery and doors to close between you & the corridor. In school holidays we had the odd trip to Blackpool or the east coast from Victoria but journeys I remember most were those to Belle Vue, Manchester. As kids we loved seeing all the animals but I shudder now to think how they were kept in those cages.

Passed for Ecclesfield Grammar in 1951, until then had hardly travelled further than Hillsbro' from where I lived at Agden. Walked nearly a mile & a half to catch the school bus opposite Low Brad school. This went via Stannington to Ecclesfield picking up kids who lived outside the Sheffield grammar school catchment area on the way.... and then back again in the afternoon. I was the only one going from Bradfield that year, & previously I think kids had had to travel to Penistone Grammar. I was scared of this bus journey at first, the walking didn't bother me I always felt safe walking in the countryside. Later in my teens I'd walk to the village again in the evening at least twice each week to catch the bus to Sheffield & go dancing at the City Hall - but that's another thread & another story!!

I was born at the Haychatter in 1940 & lived there until 1950. So many happy memories - men's voices singing local carols at Christmas - celandines by the steps going down to the field in Spring (now a car park) - pony & trap rides in summer - snowed in for days on end in the winter - & neighbours who helped each other through thick & thin. Majical days, even though the water dried up in summer & had to be fetched by bucket from the stream, no electricity & outside loos that the binmen emptied. My gran was the licensee & I remember the huge rabbit pies she made for soldiers stationed up there when lights were put on Agden Moor to try to convince the Germans that it was Sheffield. The old Hatchatter was nothing like the present house, the main pub was the bit you see on the right & the present main entrance was a stable. It was always very busy but no drink/driving rules in those days. I'm a southern softie now but love to read the Forum & be reminded of the old days.

Mum & my brothers lived at Agden until 1970. I know there were several offers to buy the house but the waterworks refused to sell. We couldn't understand why they pulled it down because it was a lovely stone house. I've just started my family tree & all the research I'm doing on Bradfield makes me quite homesick! Moved to the south coast to be near sons & grandchildren & love it here - but not for the scenery!!

Hi Rapido - can't better the photo from Hillsbro, although it wasn't like that in my time (after it was 'modernised') but if you checkout the same site you'll see a later photo. Not computer literate enough to do the link! Before we moved in the Waterworks installed a bathroom & indoor toilet (rare in Bradfield in those days) & coming from the Haychatter whose sole water supply was a cold tap in the kitchen which often dried up in summer, this was the height of luxury. No electricity though until about 1958, the poles & cables weren't allowed to disfigure the 'green belt'. My dad installed calor gas lights downstairs but we still had to take candles to bed. Even so, that was the norm. Bilberry, carberry & cranberry picking around what is now called Agden bog with the prospect of eating mum's pies & puddings still makes my mouth water.

I lived in Agden House from 1951 to 1963. It was formerly a hunting lodge that was turned into two houses. The building that is still on the site was used by Sheffield Waterworks for storage. I'll hunt out some photos for you. We loved living there even though it was a long walk to/from the village. The views from the house were fantastic because the trees weren't so invasive then. The old yew tree was by the side of the house. Brought back many happy memories!