Big Ada at the old market on Dixon Lane

[Sheffield History]

Does anyone remember the people in this photo? One is Big Ada from the old market on Dixon Lane

Any memories of these people at all?

[John]

I remember her with warm affection, she was a tough old girl, could swear for England and she took no rubbish from anyone and had a reputation for flattening any bloke who was stupid enough to cross her.  She lived in Clarkeson St and her house backed onto our in Glossop Road.  She had a heart of gold if anyone was in trouble she was good for 2 bob and often she would take in young women who had been beaten by their husband, giving them a temporary safe place for the night.  I used to run errands for her and always got st least 3d but if she was in a good mood a tanner or even on odd occasions a shilling.  Like many Sheffield characters I think her reputation was bigger than reality but as always it was based in truth.

 

[Jackie Harrison]

I remember Big Ada, I used to work in Dixon Lane when I was 15 years old for my now husbands grandparents, Ben & Elsie Harrison,  who sold lettuce etc outside the Rock Tavern Big Ada once gave me her coat to wear as it was raining heavily by I was only 2 stone wet through so the coat went around me about 10 times!! I also went on their annual outing to the seaside which was, shall we say, boozy from setting off to getting back, and she bought us a lovely bedspread for a wedding present.  She had a heart of gold and the story goes she used to carry a brick in her money pouch just in case she got mugged.  Lovely woman genuine Yorkshire.

[Alastair]

I think this is Big Ada, photographed by Robert Blomfield in 1965.

[tozzin]

The old joke goes “ what did big Ada weight? —————- Tomatoes “ corny yes, but it’s clean.