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Broomhill Library


rob123

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I'm trying to put together a display for the 60th anniversary of the Broomhill Library, No 10, Taptonville Road, which opened in 1957.

I have found some photos of it at this time, and the opening ceremony, but does anyone know where I could get some photos of the building prior to this ?

A street map from the 19C ?

Any info on the building's residents prior to it being a library ?

Was it used for anything else other than a private residence (if indeed it was a private residence) before becoming the library ?

When was it actually built ?

Thanks.

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The family of John Fanshaw LITTLEWOOD, cooper and packing case maker, lived there from at least 1872 to the deaths of John Fanshaw in 1904 and Martha his wife in 1910. They were probably there in 1871 when their address is simply listed as 'Taptonville'.

In the 1911 census it looks as though this person has moved in (from Sheffield Indexers)...

Lee, Arthur S (, Director & Secretary (Arthur Lee & Sons Ltd, Crown Street Rollling Mills).
     Address: h. 10 Taptonville Road, in 1911.
     Recorded in: Whites Directory of Sheffield & Rotherham - 1911.

There are several references to it as Oriel House

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Here is the obituary of Mr J.F Littlewood:

OBITUARY printed in the Sheffield Daily Telegraph on 21st January 1904

MR. J. F. LITTLEWOOD.

Many Sheffielders, especially those of the older generation, will hear with regret of the death of Mr. John Fanshaw Littlewood, which occurred yesterday afternoon at his residence, 10 Taptonville Road, in his 82nd year. Mr.Littlewood had for some years been laid aside from active pursuits, and had been ailing for a considerable time. On Wednesday in last week he was seized with a stroke from which the worst was feared. Happily he suffered no pain, and after lingering just a week he passed away very calmly.

The late Mr. Littlewood was a native of Sheffield and may fitly be described as one of the old school. In later years his great feature was his recollections and anecdotes of Sheffield in the thirties, forties, and fifties  of the last century, but he was also known for his activity in politics and his warm interest in the Church. As a youth he was brought up under the old apprenticeship system to the trade of a cooper and he made his way through a partnership to the ultimate possession of the business - itself over 100 years old but from which he retired many years ago.  His interest in politics dated from early life. He became a great admirer and supporter of John Arthur Roebuck, and came thereby to be associated with the Conservative Party. 

He had many stories of his election experiences in those lively times, when rioting and public disorder were the regular accompaniments of appeals to the voters. After Mr.Roebuck's death he was one of those who promoted the first candidature of Mr Stuart Wortley, and he always continued his warm support of the gentleman who is now senior Member in the representation of Sheffield.  He was a member of the old Conservative Association of the West End when it met at the York Hotel, and later he became with the late Mr.J.B.Jackson (one of Sheffield's Mayors) a founder of the West End Conservative Club.  Of this institution he became president, and still retained the position up to the time of his death. He was held in great esteem by the members. Of late years they had not seen much of him at the club, but that was solely owing to his advancing age, as the club was always one of his principal interests. His portrait hangs on the walls of the club, and is a striking and faithful representation of a man of fine features and commanding presence.

As a staunch Churchman, he numbered among his friends the clergyman who afterwards became Bishop Moorhouse. More than 50 years ago he attended the old iron church which preceded St.Mark's; and he was, with the late Mr. Butcher, the instigator of the present church being built. Mr. Butcher gave the site, and he and Mr. Littlewood were very active in canvassing for the subscriptions for the church building. Mr. Littlewood's own generosity should not escape mention, though in Church matters and in other directions it was always unostentatious.

During one period Mr. Llttlewood was a member of the Sheffield Board of Guardians. That however, was his only experience of public office; he could never be persuaded to offer himself for election to the Council. He was a member of the Britannia Lodge of Freemasons, No. 139, and also a Mark Mason (Rouge Croix).

For about 25 years he served on the committee of proprietors of the Sheffield Botanical Gardens, in the times when that institution was made to pay: and though no longer on the committee, he retained his holding until the transfer of the Gardens to the Town Trustees a few years ago. His chief recreation in middle life, was bowling; he was a member of the Broomgrove Bowling Green.

Mr. Littlewood, as has been said, delighted to recall the Shefiield of his early days, and in his anecdotes one heard of a town which extended no further than the top of the Moor, and of cornfields in which he had gleaned in the neighbourhood of St.George’s Church. He had a memory for the street disturbances and rioting which figure so largely in the annals of Sheffield, political and otherwise, and often recounted the exploits of the soldiery who, on these occasions frequently came into violent contact with the populace. His reminiscences even went back to the time before there was a police force, and when watchmen used to go round calling out the hours of the night as they passed.

Mr Littlewood leaves a widow and two sons. The fact that he had another son brings back to mind the shocking accident which killed that son and the son's wife on Froggatt  Edge in 1882. They and other members of the family were out driving, when the horses took fright at an over-driven traction engine, flinging the party under the wheels of the engine. Mr. and Mrs. Littlewood, Junior were killed on the spot.

The time of the funeral has not yet been fixed. It will probably take place at the General Cemetery.

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Despite being a "staunch churchman" he is buried in the unconsecrated part of the General Cemetery.

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The Sheffield Archives hold:  Ref CA663/5/ 1 & 2  Proposed adaptations for branch library at 10 Taptonville Road, Broomhill , Scale 1 inch : 8 feet , Jun 1956

From 1873 to 1891 the library at Broomhill was a private business run by Miss Martin at 277 Fulwood Road (where the chemist is now).  The premises had been a stationery and sheet music shop previously so it was a logical development, and the other businesses continued in parallel (including a domestic servants employment agency).  In 1903 the Council Libraries Committee experimented with a free library at Broomhill, the chairs though were complained of as uncomfortable, and there was too much road noise.

 

 

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