Women of Steel

A day spent exploring Sheffield city centre. I like a good urban ramble, and it must be 30 years since I last visited this city.

The main image is a statue that remembers the women who replaced the men working in the steel industry in this city during the two world wars. Contrary to my expectation, the steel industry still exists - on the way into the centre I passed Sheffield Forge Masters, a bit of googling told me that the company was acquired by the MoD three years ago as it is critical to the UK’s defence. That’s a nationalisation that happened very quietly.

I started my day at Park Hill (extra). Built in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, and in a very prominent location, the “streets in the sky” became crime and drug ridden and a semi derelict eyesore. But in 1998 the whole development was listed - it is the largest listed building in Europe. Developers Urban Splash are refurbishing the blocks, block by block, and it seems to be working. I had a coffee and bun in a ground floor café, not something I would have dreamt of doing years back. And there are great views of the city from the hill.

From Park Hill I walked to the cathedral. My timing coincided with the Armistice Day service. The building has a long and fascinating history. In extras - flags of the York and Lancaster regiment in St George’s chapel.

The rest of the day involved exploring the River Don (some great old weirs), the Victoria Quay at the head of the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal, the Grey to Green landscaping (really good), Kelham Island (fascinating, and an excellent lunch), the new park being created on the site of the castle, the town hall and commercial core, the main campus of Sheffield Hallam University (it was graduation day) and the Cholera monument. Sunshine all day meant I took lots of photos, most of what I saw was new to me. Last time I visited this city it had been badly hit by de-industrialisation and the opening of the out of city Meadowhall. I felt much more positive about its future today, it’s a great city.