RichardB Posted May 30, 2007 Share Posted May 30, 2007 Strangely named pub, had a link somehow to the "blind fiddlers" that used to play in the old town. Any further comments/thoughts gratefully received. Limited data from 1822 : Sykes John, vict. Q in the Corner, Paradise square ---------------------------------------------------------- from 1829 : Q in the Corner, Ann Sykes, Paradise square ---------------------------------------------------- from 1834 Q in the Corner, Thomas Green, Paradise square -------------------------------------------------------- and from 1849 : Q in the Corner, Robert Richardson, 17 Paradise Square Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardB Posted May 30, 2007 Author Share Posted May 30, 2007 The Blind Fiddlers ... " The Blind Fiddlers" established for themselves a position entitled almost to rank as another old institution. What particular connection there is between fiddling and blindness it would be hard to say; but somehow or other Sheffield was especially favoured by minstrels who, having lost their sight, maintained themselves by playing in the streets or at public- houses, and occasionally by giving concerts of a more ambitious kind. "Q in the Corner," in Paradise Square," kept by Sam Goodlad, himself first fiddle at the Assemblies and on all important occasions, was the chief resort of these men. At one time there were six of them, several of whom were excellent performers on the violin. ----------------------------------------- RichardB : So Sam Goodland had the place before Sykes, this is pushing the date back towards 1800, this data extracted from Schooldays - Memories and History Pre 20th. Century REMINISCENCES OF SHEFFIELD by R. E. LEADER CHAPTER 07 - THE THEATRES AND MUSIC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardB Posted May 30, 2007 Author Share Posted May 30, 2007 THE STORM OF POLITICS. It is quite probable that of all the municipalities in the country, Sheffield in past generations has taken its politics as seriously as any other that can be named. Certainly in the very early elections fought at the beginning of our period, storm and broken friendships were often caused by party feeling. Paradise Square was known from end to end of the kingdom for its stormy meetings and for the intensity of its partizanship. It was, however, symbolic of the townsmen of those days that, so soon as the cause of turmoil had passed, so also did the rancour and bitterness of feeling. Take, for example, the election of 1866, when Messrs. Roebuck and Hadfield were elected, with the Hon. J. F. S. Wortley defeated, standing as Liberal Unionist as Mr. Stuart Wortley did in a later year when beaten by Mr. Waddy. Mr. Robert Leader was then heavily maltreated by the mob, and on the day following the polling Mr. Leng, of the Telegraph, wrote as follows: " It must be a relief to Mr. Hadfield that no more secret service money is to be required in this election. The besom brigade which, " bedecked in his colours, yesterday scoured the streets, may be disbanded. The gentlemen from the Fish Market and from Wagon Yard, all gentlemen of high odour and rank, very rank, may be returned to their stews and stalls. The dirty roughs who last night turned High Street into a hunting ground and ran howling after every well-dressed, clean-looking man under the sagacious supposition that he must be a Wortleyite, or a Foster man, may be restored to the bosoms of their families. Beer in floods and placards in bales are wanted no more; the free and independent ones whose legs for the last day or two have been quite independent of their control may sleep themselves sober and settle down to work." Take again the scene in the Square in 1874, when Mr. Joseph Chamberlain fought his one election in Sheffield and the mob refused to hear the stranger, and Mr. Mundella, lifting his hand towards the well known "Q in the Corner," said that it was beer which was raising its voice that day and not the voice of reason; and in 1868, when Mr. Mundella first sought Sheffield's suffrages, the election lasted for a solid two months and passion was at fever heat. The lives of many of Sheffield's representatives concerned in our period follow, and give other instances of fierce feeling. ------------------------------------------- Haven't a clue, where I found this ... extends the Q in the Corner to at least 1874.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardB Posted May 30, 2007 Author Share Posted May 30, 2007 http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/pi...ff.refno=s14082 This DOESN'T show No 17, but it shows up to No 15 from Campo Lane and therefore gives some idea where No 17 was .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardB Posted May 30, 2007 Author Share Posted May 30, 2007 http://www.srsb.org.uk/about_history.html Extract : For centuries Sheffield has been renowned for its famous blind musicians, especially the blind fiddlers. Sam Goodlad was the first benefactor of the Sheffield blind. He spent his spare time organising concerts for the blind fiddlers at his tavern called "Q in the Corner" - he organised concerts in public halls for paying customers. Apparently he also sent his orchestra onto the streets and to other public houses to enable them to maintain an independent living status. It seems that Sam Goodlad set a good example to others that followed, however he was limited to entertainment and it would require others to become actively involved in other areas to help the Sheffield blind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardB Posted June 25, 2007 Author Share Posted June 25, 2007 John SYKES Vict. Q in the Corner Paradise Square Baine's 1822 Ann SYKES Taverns & Public Houses (Q. in the corner) Paradise Square Pigot's 1828-9 Thomas GREEN vict. Q in the Corner 9 Paradise Square White's 1833 Charles BONNET Vict. Q in the Corner Paradise Square Pigot's 1841 Robert RICHARDSON Artist and vict. Q in the Corner 17 Paradise Square White's 1852 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardB Posted June 26, 2007 Author Share Posted June 26, 2007 Right, we're inside the Square itself now, and whilst no longer a pub, here's the building that housed the Q http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/pi...ff.refno=u02118 1930's watercolour by Walter P. Rylatt The Q is, not surprisingly, in the Corner, has some sort of handrail in front of it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardB Posted June 26, 2007 Author Share Posted June 26, 2007 Another, this time from Old Sheffield Town - J Edward Vickers The more you look at the photo, the more the building stands out as unusual compared to the others nearby; if you squint enough, you can make out the 17 above the doorway. If anyone is passing, I'd love a modern photo, it's probably a Sunday kind of photo, I know the place is normally full of cars. Thanks in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardB Posted October 15, 2007 Author Share Posted October 15, 2007 Strangely named pub, had a link somehow to the "blind fiddlers" that used to play in the old town. Bonus for Ten ... Name the Blind Fiddlers ! Extra points for any added detail, dates of birth etc, the supposed real name of the "famous" one etc etc no special books required, the information is "out there" ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tsavo Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 Some of the blind fidlers were: Blind Stephen, Blind Jonathon, Elizar Clayton, James Knight, Samual Hawke, William Bromby, Joseph Ward and John Gibbons. I suppose the one that gets talked about the most, was Blind Stephen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardB Posted October 16, 2007 Author Share Posted October 16, 2007 Superb work ! Which one is deemed most "unlikely" to have been a member ? Couple more : George Smith, Tom Booth Were they all of the same generation/similar age ? (evidently not, otherwise I wouldn't be asking) and my favorite question of all ... Blind Stephen was (probably,according to what I found online) one of the people on this list (i.e. your list plus my additional couple), which one was he ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardB Posted October 16, 2007 Author Share Posted October 16, 2007 Not Leader ... Google search "Blind Fiddler" +Sheffield Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield History Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Good work mate - as always ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tsavo Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Already tried that Richard, but no result. Have I bent me Google do you think, or just worked it to death? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardB Posted October 17, 2007 Author Share Posted October 17, 2007 Already tried that Richard, but no result. Have I bent me Google do you think, or just worked it to death? Just found this one ... http://www.hallamtrads.co.uk/BlindF.html Found that thirty seconds ago ... original find ... http://www.hallamtrads.co.uk/Research_files/Fiddlers.pdf Enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardB Posted October 17, 2007 Author Share Posted October 17, 2007 Emailled for any further details :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardB Posted January 26, 2008 Author Share Posted January 26, 2008 John SYKES Vict. Q in the Corner Paradise Square Baine's 1822 Ann SYKES Taverns & Public Houses (Q. in the corner) Paradise Square Pigot's 1828-9 Thomas GREEN vict. Q in the Corner 9 Paradise Square White's 1833 Charles BONNET Vict. Q in the Corner Paradise Square Pigot's 1841 Robert RICHARDSON Artist and vict. Q in the Corner 17 Paradise Square White's 1852 Another one !!! James Mountain, 17 Paradise Square, 1871 Any more anyone ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syrup Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 Hi Fellow SHs Found this interesting site of Old Sheffield including The Blind Fiddlers and REF to Bull Week for Christmas festivities. http://www.folk-network.com/miscellany/chr...hristmas_1.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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