Does anyone remember what it was like before the shops were built at the top of stann

[shinehill]

I presently live in stannington and I am interested in finding out some information about the area I live in. Does anyone remember or could tell me where I could find photo's of the area where the shops at the top of Stannington village.

Thanks

[skippy]

What do you call the top of Stannington ?

I lived with my aunty for a couple of years in the 40's, she lived on Uppergate Rd, opposite the momument, it was all farms at that time & a few nice little cottages, not forgetting the Hare & hounds? & Crown & Glove pubs.

There was no electricity at that time & my uncle had to take accumulaters [batteries] to get them charged so they could use the radio, lighting and cooking were gas powered, my auntie & mother were born at Middle Cottage at Crow Royd's, further up Uppergate Rd, it's still there and was for sale a few years ago.

I couldn't believe the change in Stannington when I visited the UK in 1992, all the cottages had gone & the place was so built up, my ancestors are all buried in the graveyard at Underbank Chapel.

When it snowed there in the 40's, it was always around 12 foot deep each year and everything stopped.

[desy]

Yes my father was brought up in the cottages at the top of Hollins Lane and went to school in Stannington Village at the old school opposite the church. He is in a nuring home at the moment but I will ask him your questions and see if he can remember. Sorry but I won't be able to get back for two week.

[Daven]

There is a really interesting book called 'Around Stannington' produced by Stannington Local History Group which is full of photos and information about Stannington right back to the Doomsday Book ! You can buy it from the local history section at W H Smiths or probably borrow it from the library.

[Daven]

I'm not that old (!) but I can remember the old Post Office at Knowle Top and Rushby's shop on Sheldon Lane ( behind Minnies- the Rose and Crown to the non-locals). Mrs. Rushby used to make and sell her own bread and there was always a lovely smell of baking bread when we walked past the shop on the way to school. There used to be a cobblers on the left ( think Mr Revitt ran that )just below the Peacock and a butchers shop across the road from there - think it was Haywards. True to say that many of the old buildings have gone but there are many still standing such as Knowle Cottages ( known locally as Staring Row ), the 3 churches and quite a few cottages on Uppergate Road.

[Daven]

There has been a lot of building going on in Stannington over the past few years, but it is one of the few places left in Sheffield that still has a 'village' feel ' about it ! Sadly, I live at the other side of the city now but I was born and bred in Stannington and still take an active interest in what is going on there.

[shinehill]

Thanks for the feedback I am particuarly interested in the row of shops that include the spar. I now live and own the house and shop next door now a beauty salon. I am aware that it used to be a wool shop at one time and I believe a cobblers.

[Daven]

If your shop is the one I am thinking of then yes, it was owned for many many years by a couple called Mr and Mrs Bird - a lovely couple . I remember the shop in the 60's and Mr Bird was the cobbler. His workshop was in the cellar and I can remember as a child seeing him go through a trapdoor in the floor . The shop smelled of leather and glue ! Mrs Bird looked after the shop and they sold all sorts of things including wool, haberdashery type things , underwear and socks (!) slippers, shoes and wellies ( particuarly important in Stannington in the winter)!

I think there is a least one picture of your shop in the Stannington book I mentioned earlier - I would be happy to lend it to you if you are interested.

[Daven]

On closer inspection, the photo in the book was taken before your shop was built - sorry ! The offer to borrow the book still stands though !