A visit to Sheffield: with video

When I was 'nowt but a lad' a visit to the city meant a trip to Sheffield. The bus route passed the end of our road and although the journey took 50 minutes it was quicker than going by train.  In any event, the bus terminated at Pond Street in Sheffield which is closer to the city centre than the Midland station.  Victoria station was a long way from the city centre.

The bus route followed the A61 via Whittington Moor, Unstone and Dronfield.  Between Whittington Moor and Dronfield the road ran close to the railway line and often we would see  steam hauled goods and passenger trains.  From the outskirts of Sheffield the road  was shared with trams.  Passengers getting on or off trams had to negotiate the road between the pavement and the tramlines.  Just imagine trying that today.  Road vehicles could pass trams on either the inside or outside.  It was somewhat risky taking the latter route and many an accident occurred because the driver had not seen an oncoming tram.

Pond Street bus station was a massive affair built after the Second World War. The abiding memory I have is of alighting from the bus and and being overwhelmed by the smell of beer being mashed at one of the local breweries.

In those days Sheffield was still 'Steel City'. The sound of drop forges could be heard, although the major steelworks were some way away down the Don Valley towards Rotherham.

The main purpose of a visit to Sheffield was shopping.  We would head for Cockaynes and Walshes
stores, then up the High Street to the Town Hall and thence along Pinstone Street to The Moor. The latter is straight for almost a mile and in those days was a busy thoroughfare.  It has since been pedestrianised, but on my last visit I noted a small section of the tramway had been preserved.  At Moorfoot we would catch a tram back to the High Street and thence a short walk back to the bus station.

Much has changed.  The tramway system was scrapped.  A new system has been built with barriers to protect passengers from real or imagined risks.  (Interesting link to an accident in Manchester  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-16212963  ) The bus station has been rebuilt.  Many of the landmarks remain but I was disappointed to note that the pub opposite the City Hall, much used during the interval at concerts, has disappeared.

And the smell of beer being mashed has gone, as have the drop forges.