Pond Street Nora

[hobinfoot]

Can anybody remember the local character Pond Street Nora in the 1970's? She could often be seen sitting on the benches in the old Pond Street bus station surrounded by all her belongings stuffed in carrier bags. I can remember seeing her for a decade or more then she disappeared. I wonder what became of her.

 

Mo

I used to go into the cafe for her to get a cup of tea they would not serve her I also used to see her at sutherland Rd slipper baths she used to shout somthing like I'll hold the ladder lee she was strange but I found her to be a nice lady.

[alan carr]

I remember pond street Nora she used to hang around the ladies waiting room in pond st in the 60s and 70s.What i can remember about her she was quite tall and she always had old plimsoles on what a caracter.I Rember the old tramp who used to hang about the hole in the road too.He once picked up a bottle of curdled milk and drank it straight down Ifelt sick all day

[Fiat500]

I used to go into the cafe for her to get a cup of tea they would not serve her I also used to see her at sutherland Rd slipper baths she used to shout somthing like I'll hold the ladder lee she was strange but I found her to be a nice lady.

 

You probably did hear Norah shouting something like "I'll hold the ladder lee". Her husband was Tom Lee and he was once a window cleaner.

[davidpw]

You probably did hear Norah shouting something like "I'll hold the ladder lee". Her husband was Tom Lee and he was once a window cleaner.

 

The only thing I ever remember Nora shouting was "seen thee father" which she shouted at most people as they walked by. The guy who scared us was the "mirror man" he used to sit at the bar in vaious pubs and hold a little vanity mirror up to his face and speak to his reflection about the other people in the bar.

 

Dave

[Asaw]

Was there in the late 60's. Went into Pond Street Bus station for the first time in over 56 years and the first thing I said to my wife was where is Pond Street Nora? She looked at me gone out.

[jacklad]

I remember nutty Nora of Pond street also the Mad Major who used to march up Attercliffe common in his Great coat barking orders to everyone, he used to have half his head shaved.

[bassett one]

must of had a boyfriend then,all i remember was her constant roaring,bet that labour room was noisy?

[St Petre]

As for 'Russian Edna',wasn't she found dead in High Hazels park and the man who was convicted being a local (Darnall) lorry driver who had met her in the Barley Corn Hotel on Cambridge Street ?

 

 

If rumours about 'Subway' Cyril's vast wealth are true -which I doubt- then who would have access to to the reality of it ? Perhaps the local health authorities, the police or next of kin (if any) ? Which would be kept private I assume, unless it was in The Star then it would be a fact I suppose.

 

---------- Post added 02-11-2018 at 00:20 ----------

 

My nan used to tell me stories about Pond Street Nora when I was younger! The hole in the road... I wish it was still there, I used to love going in there with me dad! Am I right in saying that there was a 'Transport Executive' type thing in there??

Chloé

 

The 'Transport Executive' was an office with a window that the public could inquire about bus routes, bus times etc and had maps and timetable books. Usually staffed by lady bus conductresses in uniform who were nearing retirement age. Inside was a break room only for the bus crews and transport personnel.

 

---------- Post added 02-11-2018 at 01:03 ----------

 

I used to go down to Pond Street a lot with my mate Pete Croxton. We often used to sit with Nora and give her the odd ciggy of buy her a cup of coffee. She could certainly shout, although she never scared us and we thought she was a good laugh. Was thinking about her recently and wondered what had happened to her, so glad I found this site. One thing that intrigued me with Nora is something she used to say, ie "You'll not go down Princess Street no more, f---er you". I wonder what she was referring to! Any ideas anyone? Wonder if it had anything to do with the Sheffield Gangs. Anyway, Pete and I thought she was ok.[/quote

 

Nora could have been referring to the Fowler brothers from the Princess Street (Norfolk Bridge area) who brutally murdered an innocent man while in the process of robbing him in that area in the 1920's, (yes they were gang members). I believe they were both hanged for the crime.

 

---------- Post added 02-11-2018 at 01:08 ----------

 

if he was the chestnut seller with a pitch outside the penny black,his barrow is in kelham island museum,there was a blind ex serviceman used to stand outside suggs sports on the moor,he sold boot laces and matches,i always saw men putting change in his tray but never taking anything,i suppose they were the lucky ones who came home from the war in one piece,i also remember nora, god bless her..

Yes the sightless man who stood at the top of Cambridge Arcade (Sugg's/Barney's), I think his name was Sammy.

 

---------- Post added 02-11-2018 at 01:42 ----------

 

I vaguely remember the Duke of Darnall. I dont think he chased buses 'cause there weren't any. Trams maybe.

Strangely enough he used to hang out up Crookes, usually at the Noah's Ark. He did dress in a tailed suit, Spats and all

 

There were plenty of buses around in the tram era, the era that ended in 1960 that is.

Edited November 2, 2018 by St Petre
Add

[Daven]

http://www.capitalpunishmentuk.org/Fowler_brothers.html

 

This is an interesting read.

[zakes]

Pond Street Nora.

In response to some comments on this thread.

 

1. Whilst waiting to catch my bus in Pond Street bus station, I'd often see Nora. Nora was tall, lean and had a large strong prominent nose. I recall she used to wear a brushed woollen fawn coloured coat, with 3 or 4 big round buttons down the front. The coat reached down to shin/calf length. Nora was spindle-legged, and her footwear items were mucky white plimsolls. She also wore a drab flimsy looking headscarf too. I think she was minus her teeth, and she used to draw deeply on her cigarettes.

 

At times, Nora looked very pensive and had spells when she didn't speak. At other times she would mutter away. This, in my opinion is loneliness. I've also witnessed Nora shouting and swearing at high volume. This was usually in response to some unkind remark aimed at her from an uncaring person, who probably had a warm home to go to. I used to get annoyed at people gawping and laughing at Nora. I also got angry with persons who taunted her by calling her names. At times, I challenged individuals about their nasty comments. I was just thankful I wasn't in Nora's situation. People new to Sheffield, often say how welcoming and friendly Sheffielders are. In my opinion there are many Sheffielders who are not very friendly. . . the insular one's, who are generally set in their ways. There's a few of such on Sheffield Forum.

                                                                      

2. There seems to be some confusion on this thread as regard to Cyril. This man in the photo came onto the scene years later, and he is the bloke who was supposed to have been an RAF person in his earlier years. The photo is from 1998, at Castle Square.