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‘Organgrinder’ (and others) make many observations and comments in this and other linked, pieces (with much of with which, I heartily agree) but which will be dismissed as pointless nostalgia by younger generations and even some of our own - understandable to a degree BUT there’s a vital paragraph, the contents of which are undeniable and should be a cause for serious concern to all Sheffielders, young and old: ( The presence of) .....’ all those MASSIVE crowds of people...in the old City Centre and ......compare that with the lifeless and soulless scenes of today’. I recall and appreciate, PRECISELY what that means and it’s a CRITICAL recollection and comment because, muck an’ all and, yes, there was undoubtedly plenty of that, those scenes really said one thing about the place, warts and all, MONEY! Without which no community, large or small can survive. Sheffield was a very rich city and like many other wealthy beings, had and generally enjoyed, the trappings of wealth as those eager crowds of (accurate) memory, attest. Although ‘Our City’, sadly, Sheffield isn’t alone in this social and economic crisis - it is repeated in a thousand places, within these Islands. I’m no longer a resident in that part of the Country but when I, periodically, return I can say that changes are all the more profound - even during the few years I’ve been gone. We dismiss the changing scene as progress, at our peril. Whether John Lewis (Cole Bros) is overpriced and no longer wanted .....anymore than the now ancient yet atmospheric ‘Rag &Tag’ are matters of personal requirements and opinion. But be warned, they won’t come back and there’ll be no point craving shopping sessions, the social intermingling, of the type ...whichever we chose. We ( in reality, ‘those who follow’) will have most if not all of their options piled in a soulless ‘basket’ to be delivered by some underpaid and overworked van driver by lobbing it over the front garden wall or heaven forbid, delivered missile - like by a drone over the back garden/yard. We should be very careful, just what we wish for - as the old adage goes..

An interesting incident involving Broughton's skeleton which hung in the gibbet for many years is that some potters who were employed at the famous Rockingham Works at Swinton (1745 -1842) were on their way home after a night drinking in Attercliffe passed by the gibbet and broke off one of Broughton's skeletal hands which they later used (bone ash is used in the manufacture of porcelain) to make some item of chinaware. This particular piece of china has not been identified as yet but it might still be in existence and the owner may not realise its significance. It would interesting to see it. It may bear an inscription recording the event and Broughton's name and the relevant dates.

Michael Henry Fanshawe posted this 1950's image on Facebook which is roughly the same view

The two prefab classrooms at the back have been demolished, but the ugly 70's extension that takes up half of the rear playground is still there- although it looks like it could fall down anytime!

We've lived in Killamarsh since 1979 and our 2nd house, on Kirkcroft Avenue was built in 1984 on the canal towpath and in the back garden we found many bits of old pottery and bottles, when we first moved in and did the garden. (although these might have been from the Kirk Croft - settlement near the church) which was there when the canal was built. A friend of mine was working for Norths builders on the site and showed me where the canal ran through Killamarsh (which might be in your next video) and the route can be clearly seen, ending at in the centre of Killamarsh, where the Navigation pub stood on a wider basin edge. There are pictures from the time, somewhere on line. In the late 80's/early 90s we heard a lot from the Canal Trust and group of enthusiasts who even suggested knocking all the houses down to maintain the correct route! However, their last suggestion was to re-route via Rother Valley park. I also walked the cuckoo trail with my son from Staveley and later from our house we followed the canal over to Lock Hill, (main road) where another lock is now in someone's garden at Lock House and then over to Norwood tunnel, before Mr White bought all the land up to Norwood Tunnel and the farm property the other side of Rotherham Road. Above White's house clear evidence remains of lock structures, though whether you can get to them now, I'm not sure; it might be fenced off. However, you could ask him! Also, there is a public footpath through his property going to Kiverton or over to Woodall, but again, not sure if it is still accessible.

Thank you very much for posting your video. I really enjoyed watching the same. It’s a very long time indeed since I last visited the L. D &. E. C. R., and I am both, amazed and saddened by how much this long defunct line has changed so much in the past 40+ years. I have taken the opportunity of sharing with you, some images taken by myself in “happier times”. I hope that you can relate them back to the remains and locations shown in your video. LDE001-Upperthorpe and Killamarsh Station Site, Looking North Towards Beighton-16/06/1977 LDE003-Upperthorpe and Killamarsh Station Site, Looking North Towards Beighton-16/06/1977 LDE007-BTL.537/1964, Class 47, No.47180 at Upperthorpe and Killamarsh Station Site, Looking South Towards Spinkhill-16/06/1977 LDE008-BTL.537/1964, Class 47, No.47180 at Upperthorpe and Killamarsh Station Site, Looking North Towards Beighton-16/06/1977 LDE011-Killamarsh Junction, LD&ECR bridge over Waleswood Curve, Looking North Towards Beighton-16/06/1977 LDE019-Meadowgate Lane, Beighton-LD&ECR Bridge over Norwood Colliery-Killamarsh (M.R.) Branch, View South towards Killamarsh-09/06/1977 LDE020-BTL.525/1964, Class 47, No.47168 at LD&ECR Bridge over Norwood Colliery-Killamarsh (M.R.) Branch (with GCR Bridge Foreground)-09/06/1977 LDE029-ECR/1977, Class 56, No.56024 at Killamarsh Junction, LD&ECR bridge over Waleswood Curve, on ex-Westhorpe Colliery Mineral Train-14/07/1977

You really would have to have been born into a certain class of society and in a certain period to really appreciate the benefits of the rag n tag, Norfolk Market Hall and Dixon Lane. It wasn't about prices (which were as low as they could get), nor was it about quality (which was as varied as you chose), it was about COMMUNITY. A community that travelled together on trams and buses, not cars, that walked long distances without thinking it extraordinary, that faced hardships such as coal rationing, very long snowbound winters and basic foodstuffs and which above all related to one another. This last part applied on the streets, in the pubs, in the churches, and in the mucky, disease provoking workshops of an industrial city which was proud of its name. Those contributors here who denigrate the atmosphere of the Saturday markets can not have had a life rooted in such fertile ambience. You could not go "to town" on a Saturday without meeting several acquaintances or relatives. It was a village atmosphere in a city. Now such puritan architecture experts try to re-create such an ambience with false identities like Poundbury. You can't. Meadowhall will never be like the rag n tag. It was there. We loved it. We missed it and will miss it for all our remaining days along with the colourful characters who you see in the historic black and white photos. Cherish the photos. Regret that you didn't experience it. For it was US....US SHEFFIELDERS...us carrying coal from the canal wharf in a barrow, picking up horsemuck for the tiny rosebed in the backyard, clearing the snow off our front, spreading coke on icebound steep footpaths, and visiting family every Saturday on Sunday, unannounced but always welcomed. This WAS life! A postal order from your grandad at Christmas was like a win on the treble chance. An apple and an orange a fruitful bounty. Everything that came after that was, by comparison, shallow and lifeless. You can have your nightclubs and your cocktail bars. You have NOT lived. The writer's grandmother sold flowers in Dixon Lane from an upturned fruitbox. She was killed by an unlicensed teenage driver as she crossed East Bank Road on her way home . RIP Martha Westnidge. RIP the best days of our life.

They were probably attracted by the roundabout, giving them easy access to the Parkway 😀