Trip to Sheffield

I was recently lucky enough to be able to make a trip up to Sheffield, and have been sitting on pictures while waiting for time to really make a post about it. I was able to pack in a number of things during the trip and will post them here. I'll start out Part I with the Butcher Works. This was the building complex from which many W&S Butcher (Wade and Butcher) goods originated.

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Eyre Lane side, the older part of the building

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Eyre Lane gate

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Arundel St entrance, now a cafe

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An information sign about the complex, which was saved and is now a combination of apartments and workshops

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The inside of the complex, now a fairly sparse courtyard

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The western part of the courtyard, showing some old machinery for hoisting

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The inside of one of the buildings of the complex is now a cafe. Yes, I had lunch inside one of the areas that formerly housed parts of the WB production process.

There is lots written about the building and the company over the years so I won't repeat that here. I'm not particularly attached to WB, but it was very cool to be there in person and actually touch the building. More to come...

Part II. I went to the Kelham Island Museum, which is a fantastic overview of the history of industry in Sheffield. Again, it was a lot of information and I won't attempt to distill it here, but want to show some images that were particularly interesting to our community.

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Gauges used to judge the degree of hollow of a blade. But the experts could apparently tell the thickness of a hollowed blade, to the thousandth of an inch, by feel alone.

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A grinding setup (I forget for what particular grinding task this one was made)

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A real used grinding wheel you can pick up

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A stiddy, anvil + tools

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The last exhibit here, although not razor-specific, gave a great overview of what workshops in Sheffield would have looked like. This was of course modern by our standards, but still a great insight.

Part III. I had a one-night stay at Kenwood Hall, now a Best Western (Plus). The hotel was fantastically unimpressive - just like any other Best Western you can imagine. But a stroll along the grounds revealed the former majesty of the estate where George Wostenholm lived. There are parts of it where you can still find indications of the original owner:

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The original parts of it are still quite wonderful (the second photo is a view from my room):

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When I had checked in and realized that I didn't have anything to shave with, I went to the front desk to request something. I was given a truly terrible disposable razor kit that can only come from a hotel, and the worker at the desk said as he gave it to me "here you go, the best razor that money can't buy". I don't even think he was aware of the monumental irony of the situation. It was a bit reminiscent, for those who have seen The Grand Budapest Hotel, of one of the final scenes where the hotel is in an ugly modern drab and the new concierge has just gone missing.

Fantastic ! Thanks for sharing. Although, I find English and German history particularly interesting .

Fantastic, and very much appreciate the post.

I must admit, I absolutely laughed out loud at your story of asking for something to shave with and them handing you the disposable. I would've been babbling on about it until I got the wife with the crossed arms and her apologizing on my behalf as she slowly led me away from other people, then she'd explain to me how they don't care....I'd be terribly hurt of course.

You didn't mention a thing?

The Butcher works also of course fascinating, I'm due to go again next summer, maybe this time I'll tell the lot to take a hike and do my own thing for awhile....thanks!:)

Very cool! Thanks for sharing it! :tu

Like the piece on Tom Parkin
Along the line of this thread..Stan Shaw the last knife maker in Sheffield:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFcBQ3SH8n0
And:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUxUXUweJUQ
As of a year back he was still going since 1940 or so:
tweedale/stanShaw

~Richard

Awesome read. Terrific adventure. Thanks for sharing it.

Thanks so much for the pictures and story. Some beautiful buildings.

And the disposable razor.....well......umm beggars can’t choosers Phrank :rofl2:

I wish I could go over and see these things. Not enough time in the world! Perhaps someday!

Nice visit to my home city :beer1:
I could have helped with a better razor than the plastic junk :dropjaw:
Did you get to visit any other works or sites of them ?

Very nice pictures. I live very close to Sheffield myself and get into the city every once in a while, but I didn't know about some of the places you have shown there. I guess I will be dragging Mrs Porl around them next time we visit. She will be thrilled :tu

yes! thanks for posting, very interesting.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 782sirbrian

Nice visit to my home city :beer1:
I could have helped with a better razor than the plastic junk :dropjaw:
Did you get to visit any other works or sites of them ?

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I ended up having a pretty limited time but made it out to Sheaf Quay and wandered around the city quite a lot. I visited the Cutlers' Co Hall as well for a tour and to briefly speak with the archival staff, who were incredibly nice and helpful. Since the trip was somewhat last-minute, I hadn't really had a lot of precise research questions prepared, for which the Cutlers' Co could have been invaluable. I was really impressed with some of the more modern architecture and energy of the city, though that was mostly in the center, and I'm sure helped a lot by the presence of the Uni there.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ScienceGuy

Part III. I had a one-night stay at Kenwood Hall, now a Best Western (Plus). The hotel was fantastically unimpressive - just like any other Best Western you can imagine. But a stroll along the grounds revealed the former majesty of the estate where George Wostenholm lived. There are parts of it where you can still find indications of the original owner:

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The original parts of it are still quite wonderful (the second photo is a view from my room):

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When I had checked in and realized that I didn't have anything to shave with, I went to the front desk to request something. I was given a truly terrible disposable razor kit that can only come from a hotel, and the worker at the desk said as he gave it to me "here you go, the best razor that money can't buy". I don't even think he was aware of the monumental irony of the situation. It was a bit reminiscent, for those who have seen The Grand Budapest Hotel, of one of the final scenes where the hotel is in an ugly modern drab and the new concierge has just gone missing.

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Reminds me of the time a member said he couldn't find any good old German razors when visiting Solingen!

Thanks for the post! Definitely too much history to post, but a nice look at what those historical buildings look like now (and some did before) and you covered the high points of interest.

You always have interesting/informative posts ScienceGuy.

Thanks for the wonderful pictures and info. :chapeau

Thank you for sharing your trip with us!
Cheers.

Thats just amazing! Nice old buildings, red bricks are by far my favourite!

Thank you Sir, that was an interesting post. That would be a sweet trip to go on last minute even! Very much appreciate your sharing it with us :D

Bravo! Thank you sir.

Teaching US history for a living is a fine job, but I am always left a bit empty by how little history we actually have. The nation is so young compared to those of Europe. The traditions and architectures of Europe always amaze me. Thanks for the pics.