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A recent follower of Sheffield History site, I was very interested in the conversation about Lees House. I lived very close for several years during the 60's and early 70's and remember it well. I only went into the house a few times when my friend and I were delivering the parish magazine to an old lady who lived upstairs. I remember a very large, dark and imposing hall with a staircase complete with polished dark wood banister that led to the flat we delivered to. We left the magazine by the door and ran as fast as we could to get out of the place. It was definitely creepy. We never saw any occupants on any of the times we were there. The outside of the building was black and very overgrown but from my bedroom window I could see the roof and upper floor. The entrance was via a driveway at the bottom of Beverley's Road. I think the large stone gate posts and part of the wall are still there. The other large house of interest and probably of a similar age in the area was West House, or West View as it is called in some maps and documents. I don't remember anyone living there, in fact it was quite derelict when I knew it. It was right at the end of Norton Lees Road and was demolished and replaced with flats during the late 60's? This is one house I wish I had investigated and would love to know more about it. It is mentioned in the 1850 Norton Estate Sale as being occupied by a Mrs Parker but if anyone has any more information or a photograph that would be great. I've seen a photo of the gate posts with partially obscured house behind on Picture Sheffield but that's the only one (apart from the illustration in the Norton Estate Sale of 1850) As Lees House isn't mentioned in the sale it presumably wasn't part of the Norton Estate?

A short Sheffield film documenting the Covid 19 Lockdown of 2020

Photo of old slum housing on Peel Street in Broomhill, showing J Bower & Co Electrical Engineers and further down it looks like a Kennings Motors garage? Also check out the red Green Un van in the first photo!

Take a look at this photo of Crookes from way back in 1914 I take it that’s the Punchbowl on the right hand side of picture?

Up until recently, i worked in the building next to the Cathedral on Norfolk row, Up on the second floor. From the side windows, all we could see was the side of the church, and the stained glass windows. One day as i was on the phone, looking through the office window, i noticed something that i’d not noticed before - and certainly wouldn’t ever be seen from the street - see if you can spot it !! (Top right of window) I also took a shot of the window just before Christmas after dark, as again, not something anyone would see !!

I thought I'd read somewhere that the original Sheffield to Penistone Turnpike went on Clay Wheels Lane and Beeley Wood Lane and then crossed the river by the ford to join the new road just before the toll house. However I don't remember where I read it, But here's a snippet from the book "A Layman's Look at the History, Industry, People and Places of Oughtibridge, Worrall and Wharncliffe Side". by Doug Sanderson.

@Sheffield History I've just looked up the details of the bells in Dove's Guide https://dove.cccbr.org.uk/detail.php?DoveID=SHEFFIELD It has a 25cwt tenor in D which ought to be a nice powerful sound. Unfortunately YouTube doesn't appear to have any recordings of them.

Sold at Auction Fountain Villa £300 Sheffield Daily Telegraph 29 July 1903

For Sale by Auction Fountain Villa Sheffield Daily Telegraph 21 July 1903

Well it did have a spring, and presumably after heavy rain the water emerged at quite a pressure. Hence the name Fountain Villa. In the winter of 1867 it was a noted visitor attraction: the "jet d'eau" was in the middle of an arbour, made of four timbers and a lattice, overgrown with ivy. The mist from the fountain froze on the foliage and frame, making icicles the size of a man, estimated weight - one ton.

Was strange seeing this photo I took during the 1st week of the 'lockdown' ...

Cambridge Arcade Sheffield

The El Mambo was at the end of the arcade on Union Street. No if ands or buts about it. I used to work there. I sold coffee behind the bar downstairs from a Gaggia Espresso machine. That was located right at the bottom of the stairs in the middle of three rooms. The manager at the time was a tough Irishman name Hugie. I met my future wife there (amongst many other lovely ladies!). Quite a bit of gambling took place on the pinball machines.