Broomhill Local History Group - background, examples of the talks given and information available, and current programme.

Click the BANG button at the bottom right of this page to request further information

The Broomhill Local History Group was formed in 1988 to record and research the history of the "prettiest suburb in England". As part of this research each house has been "re-inhabited" from the time it was built up to 1940. This has been done from census returns, rate books, directories, electoral rolls and other miscellaneous sources. Since people living as lodgers are not usually given in directories, nor are there entries for working class inhabitants, it is not a complete record. There is a Iist of more than 11,500 heads of households, with addresses and dates as well as additional information on many of them - that may be of help to you in tracing your ancestors. We have transcriptions of the 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881 and 1891 census returns for Broomhill and also of the St. Mark's baptismal and marriage registers up to 1939. 

If you are interested in the history of a particular house see how we can help on our new website here.

 

Short History of Broomhill

" I thought of the leafy district of Broomhill on the western heights of Sheffield, where gabled black stone houses rise above the ponticums and holly, and private cast-iron lamp-posts light the gravelled drives.

Greek, Italian, Gothic, they stand in winding tree-shaded roads, these handsome mansions of the Victorian industrialists who made their pile from steel and cutlery in the crowded mills below. They lived in what is still the prettiest suburb in England." 

Extract from: John Betjeman, Telegraph and Morning Post, July 3 1961

 

I am not sure that Betjeman would still describe Broomhill in the same way with the garish signs in the shopping centre; to many of us it is still the best place in Sheffield to live. Betjeman was right in calling it a suburb, for it was never a village.

Most of what is now Broomhill was used as the Crookesmoor Racecourse from 1711-1781, the races only being discontinued when the commons of Ecclesall Bierlow were enclosed between 1778 and 1789. Part of Broomhill lay in Nether Hallam, the common land of which was enclosed in 1791. (The parts lying in Nether Hallam are from the north side of Whitham Road to the east side of Crookes Road, and from the bottom of Endcliffe Crescent, Endcliffe Vale Road, Endcliffe Avenue, Oakholme Road, Westbourne Road from below Radio Sheffield and No. 27, Southbourne Road and the north side of Clarkehouse Road from the bottom of Southbourne Road to Brocco Bank.)

There were a few houses within this area, some of them encroachments on the common land, and a huddle of cottages to the east of the present Botanical Gardens, including an inn "The Ball in the Tree", demolished in 1870. The suburb takes its name from the house built by William Newbould on land to the east of Newbould Lane in 1792, to which he gave the name of "Broomhill", for the simple reason that it was the first house above Broomhall, and was on a hill.

A few more large houses with considerable grounds were built during the next 30 years, but the real beginning of Broomhill was when the turnpike road to Glossop was opened in 1821. Terraces as well as bigger houses followed the road and the first back-to-back houses were built in Peel Street in 1827. Houses also crept down from Crookes as far as Hoole Road, this area being known as Mount Pisgah, a pun on the biblical reference of Moses viewing the holy land from there, since all the land that could be seen to the east was owned by the Holy family. By the early 1830s Broomhill had five public houses, the Ball, Broomhill Tavern, Fox & Duck, Southseas, and the Travellers Inn, and a few shops. Whilst growth was steady, the 1840s were years of depression and growth only really resumed in the 1850s when the land above and along Fulwood Road was developed. Most of the former household names in the steel and cutlery industry lived or passed through Broomhill, as did many of the founders of the stores in town, brewers, solicitors and medical practitioners. There was always a fairly substantial population of artisans and small shopkeepers, to service the bigger houses. The shopping centre was the best suburban one and probably reached its peak during the second world war when several stores and shops that had been bombed out in the city came to Broomhill, the foremost being John Walsh, which moved into the Mount.

For me the attraction of Broomhill is that it grew haphazardly, with no planned housing estates and that it still retains a very individual character.

E. Wilkinson 

 

August 2005

LOCAL HISTORY GROUP PROGRAMME FOR 2005/2006

No meetings have been arranged for 2005-2006.

October 2004

LOCAL HISTORY GROUP PROGRAMME FOR 2004/2005

7 October &endash; Neighbours from Hell, by Nyra Wilson

4 November &endash; The Filer and the Matrix: the Stephensons of Sheffield, by Roy Millington

2 December &endash; Summerfield, by Eva Wilkinson

3 February &endash; History of some Sheffield University Buildings, by Roger Harper

3 March &endash; Botanical Gardens - Evolving Landscape
Meet at 2.00 p.m. at the main gate of the Botanical Gardens

All other meetings will be held in St. Marks Church Lounge at 2.00 p.m. There is charge of £1 for each meeting.

October 2003

LOCAL HISTORY GROUP PROGRAMME FOR 2003/2004

2 October - Revising Pevsner with special reference to Broomhill, by John Minnis

6 November - Joseph Andrews, Bole Hill Quarry owner and builder, by Rod Andrews

4 December - Broomhill Variations by Graham Hague.

5 February - James Montgomery and some other inhabitants of the Mount, by Nyra Wilson and Eva Wilkinson

4 March - Laycock, Langley and Senior, Merchants and Mayors, by Nancy Greenwood

All meetings will be held in St. Marks Church Lounge at 2.00pm. There is charge of 50p. for each meeting

December 2002

Local History Programme for 2002/2003 (cont)

Please note the change in programme as follows:
6 February - "The Sheffield High School and Women's Education " by Ella Jones at 2.00 pm in St Marks Church Lounge.
This meeting was switched from November because of the illness of the speaker.

6 March - a Tour of the Botanical Gardens, led by Brenda Houghton, assembling at 2.00 pm at the main gate of the Botanical Gardens.

September 2002

Local History Programme for 2002/2003

3 October - " Nathaniel Philipps, the Academic Minister of Upper Chapel and Moor Lodge" by Graham Hague and Nyra Wilson.

7 November - "The Sheffield High School and Women's Education" by Ella Jones.

5 December - "Ashdell and John Shepherd's Estate" by Eva Wilkinson.
This will be held in Ashdell, the Senior Department of Westbourne School at 2.00 pm.

6 February - "The General Cemetry" by Nancy Greenwood.

6 March - A Tour of the Botanical Gardens, led by Brenda Houghton.
Meet at 2.00 p.m. at the main gate of the Botanical Gardens.

All other meetings at St Mark's Church Lounge at 2.00 pm.

The charge remains 50p for each meeting.

September 2001

Local History Programme for 2001/2002

11 October - 'From Randmoor to Ranmoor' by Peter Warr

1 November - 'The Firth Family', by Nyra Wilson

6 December -'Benson & Burdekin, Solicitors', by Michael Eliott

Meetings will be held in St Mark's Church Lounge at 2.00 p.m.; the charge remains 50p. for each meeting.

October 2000

Local History Programme for 2000/2001

5 October 2000 - Crookes Cemetery, by Dianne Gascoyne
2 November 2000 - Earnshaw and Sorby - not just Student Halls - by Eva Wilkinson
7 December 2000 - A Life Spent in Parkers Lane, by May Seaton

1 February 2001 - Charles Marsden, Paper Maker and the Moor Oaks Estate by Graham Hague
I March 2001 - St. Mark's, a Brief History, by Brenda Houghton

Meetings will be held in St Mark's Church Lounge at 2.00 p.m.; there is a charge of 50p. for each meeting.

March 2000

If you require a "House History" please send your name and address, and if different, that of the house you are interested in to the Secretary - not forgetting to enclose £10, cheques made out to St. Mark's pcc, and a large (A4) stamped and addressed envelope. If you are not sure whether your house qualifies for a "House History", please contact the Secretary.

Dec. 1999

Local History Programme for 1999/2000 (cont)

Local History Group Spring 2000 Meetings start on Thursday 3 February with "Water Supply to the Broomhill Area" by Graham Hague. The last meeting of the current series is on 2 March, continuing the watery theme with "More Soldering On Tales" by John Woodhouse. The meetings are held, as usual, in St. Mark's Church Lounge at 2.00 p.m. There is a charge of 50p for each meeting.

August 1999

Local History Programme for 1999/2000

The Local History Group Meetings will start again on Thursday, 7 October, in St. Mark's Church Lounge at 2.00 p.m. As before there is a charge of 50p for each meeting. The programme for the autumn meeting is:
7 October - The Favourite Retreat of the Gentleman and Man of Business: Endcliffe Crescent in the Nineteenth Century, by Nyra Wilson
4 November - Melbourne Avenue, by John Salt
2 December - Stand House to Tapton Cliffe, by Eva Wilkinson

March 1999

Once again the "House History" offer is being repeated. BANG members are being given priority notice and it is advisable to act on this offer as soon as possible to avoid delay - there were some 100 requests last time round, more being received weeks after the offer expired.

Dec. 1998

Local History Programme for 1999

4 February - Broomhill School - Past & Present, by Eva Wilkinson and Pat Berry
4 March - Soldering On, by John Woodhouse
Meetings will be held in St. Mark's Church Lounge at 2.00 p.m. There is a charge of 50p. for each meeting.

Sept. 1997

Local History Programme for 1988

2 October - Broomhill Methodism - Past and Future, by Alan Cass, Margaret Robinson and Josie Smith
6 November - Reminiscences of Hidden Broomhill, by Joan Machin and Harold Lee
4 December - Broomhill Records and Your Question Answered (hopefully!)
5 February - Trams and Transport in the Broomhill District, by Graham Hague
5 March - Broomhill 50 years on, by Eva Wilkinson
2 April - to be announced

Feb. 1997

There will be one further meeting of the Local History Group on 6 March about "The Potter Family, Silversmiths and Cutlers", by Anice Hancock.

There will be a Local History Fair in the Town Hall on Saturday, 17 May to commemorate the opening of the Town Hall, by Queen Victoria a hundred years ago. The Group will have a stand and as usual we need volunteers to help man the stand.

Nov. 1996

Local History Programme for remainder of season 1996/97

5 December - The three Cole Brothers, by Nancy Greenwood
6 February - The Botanical Gardens, by Decie Needham
6 March - The Potter Family, Silversmiths & Cutlers, by Anice Hancock

Nov. 1995

Local History Programme for remainder of season 1995/96

1 February - Broomhill Bakers for 60 Years, by John Collins
7 March - The General Cemetery - an illustrated tour, by Adrian Hallam

August 1995

Local History Programme for 1995/96

5 October - As it was in the beginning...a look at the early years of Broomhill, by Nyra Wilson
2 November - An "Open" Meeting at which members, it is hoped, will present short items about their families, memories and anything else relevant to the history of Broomhill.
1 February - Broomhill Bakers for 60 Years, by John Collins
7 March - Another "Open" meeting
4 April - The General Cemetery - an illustrated tour, by Adrian Hallam

Nov. 1994

Local History Programme for remainder of season 1994/95

1 December - An open meeting at which reminiscences can be exchanged, questions asked and the future of the group discussed
2 February - Broomhill street names, by Eva Wilkinson
2 March - A Chandos Street boyhood, by George Marsden
6 April - A visit to Sheffield University Music Department in Taptonville Road

August 1994

Local History Programme for 1994/95

The programme for the 1995 spring series of meetings has not yet been finalised.

6 October - A look at Broomhill in 1893, the year in which Sheffield became a City, by Eva Wilkinson
3 November - Halifax Hall: Town and Gown History, by Mary Sharrock
1 December - An open meeting at which reminiscences can be exchanged, questions asked and the future of the group discussed

Feb. 1994

The remaining two meetings of this season will be held, as usual, in the Broomhill Library at 2.00 p.m.
3 March - Robert Abbott Hadfield and his father, by Geoffrey Tweedale
7 April - The Hale Family - 50 years in Taptonville Road, by Nancy Greenwood

A booklet based on the talk "Houses of a Respectable Class", the development of Southbourne and Westbourne Road in the 19th century, by Nyra Wilson is now available, price £1.

Nov. 1993

Preserving Victorian and Edwardian Houses

BANG have acquired another Victorian Society booklet, Fireplaces. A brief guide to the restoration and maintenance of Victorian and Edwardian fireplaces. This booklet and the previous ones on Doors and Decorative Tiles, may be borrowed by members on short term loan, from the Secretary. There are also two books available on loan to members: Putting back the Style - a Directory of Authentic Renovation; and Victorian House Style, by Linda Osband.

August 1993

Local History Programme for 1993/1994

7 October - "Houses of a Respectable Class". The development of Southbourne and Westbourne Road in the 19th century, by Nyra Wilson
4 November - Broomhill since 1930, by Ken Bayes
2 December - A meeting in the Broomhill School during which it is hoped that those present will reminisce about their school days, especially if they attended this school.
3 February - A Look at Broomhill in 1893, the year in which Sheffield became a City, by Eva Wilkinson
3 March - Robert Abbott Hadfield and his Father, by Geoffrey Tweedale
7 April - The Hale Family - 50 years in Taptonville Road, by Nancy Greenwood

May 1993

Books on Victorian House Style
BANG are acquiring a number of books and pamphlets on preserving and restoring Victorian and Edwardian houses to help members who wish to ensure that the look of Broomhill streets does not suffer any further damage from unsuitable door and window replacements. The books which we already have for loan to members are:

Victorian Society pamphlet Number One - Doors
Victorian Society pamphlet Number Two - Decorative Tiles
Putting back the Style - A Directory of Authentic Renovation
Victorian House Style, by Linda Osband

August 1992

Local History Programme for 1992/1993

1 October - A general introduction and display of maps and material collected to date, by Eva Wilkinson
5 November - Carver Street Chapel and Thomas Holy, by Mr. Cass (The Holy family owned much of the land to the east of Broomhill)
3 December - More about Champion Scissors and the Walshes, by David Roberts
4 February - Broomhill since 1930, by Ken Bayes
4 March - The Smith Family of Peel Street, by Alan Day
1 April - Joseph Wilson and Sheffield Plate, by Gordon Crosskey

August 1991

Local History Programme for 1991/1992

3 October - Growing up in Taptonville Road, by Angela Allott
7 November - A Lawson Road childhood, by Richard Doncaster
5 December - Some of my Yesterdays, by Mrs. J Ibberson
6 February - Champion Scissors and the Walshes, by David Roberts
5 March - Constance Cole and Family, by Mrs. Nancy Greenwood
2 April - History of Sheffield University, by Peter Linacre

August 1990

Local History Programme for 1990/1991

4 October - Broomhill 150 years ago, by Eva Wilkinson
1 November - Broomhill reminiscences, by Ron Hartley
6 December - The Cutler's Company through the eyes of a former Mistress Cutler, by Mrs. Ibberson
7 February - Growing up in Taptonville Road, by Angela Allott
7 March - A visit to Weston Park Museum, with a talk by a member of staff
4 April - Open Meeting - bring your photographs, mementoes and memories

Instead of the evening meetings at St. Mark's Church, we are hoping to start a working group for those who wish to help with the research needed before we can publish a Broomhill history, or who wish to prepare their own research, such as the history of their house, various Broomhill families, etc. The first meeting will be held at 7.30 p.m. on Monday, 8 October at 13 Beech Hill Road.

Special offer - a history of your house!
Do you want to know the history of your house/shop/office and who lived in it ? If you live in Broomhill and your house was built before 1938 then all will be revealed for £15.00 - proceeds go to the Broomhill Festival Charities.

The offer is for existing and demolished houses in the following roads:

Ash Grove, Ashdell Rd., Ashgate Rd.

Beaufort Rd., Beech Hill Rd., Broomfield Rd.

Caxton Rd., Chandos Street, Clarkehouse Rd., College Street

Elmore Rd., Endcliffe Avenue, Endcliffe Cresc.

Fulwood Rd. to 333 & 276, Glossop Rd. from 359 and 420

Highnam Crescent Rd., Hoole Rd.

Lawson Rd.

Manchester Rd. to 117 and 18, Marlborough Rd., Melbourne Avenue, Moor Oaks Rd.

Newbould Lane, Nile Street

Oakholme Rd.

Parkers Lane and Rd., Pisgah House Rd., Peel Street

Roslin Rd., Rutland Park

St. Marks Cresc., Sale Hill, Severn Rd., Southbourne Rd., Spooner Rd.

Taptonville Cresc & Rd.

Watson Rd., Westbourne Rd., Whitham Rd.

 

*****************************************************

Please send your name and address and, if different, that of the house you are interested in to: The Secretary, Broomhill Local History Group, 13 Beech Hill Rd., Sheffield S10 2SA , and enclose £10.00 (cheques made out to St. Mark's pcc) and a large stamped and addressed envelope.

 

The Banger

AGM records

Conservation Area

Development issues

Planning Applications

New housing

Pubs & Restaurants

Schools

Policing and Crime

Traffic problems

Litter

Events

FORUM

Local History

SEARCH

Return to top of Page

 

 

 

The Banger

AGM records

Conservation Area

Development issues

Planning Applications

New housing

Pubs & Restaurants

Schools

Policing and Crime

Traffic problems

Litter

Events

FORUM

Local History

SEARCH

Return to top of Page

 

 

 

The Banger

AGM records

Conservation Area

Development issues

Planning Applications

New housing

Pubs & Restaurants

Schools

Policing and Crime

Traffic problems

Litter

Events

FORUM

Local History

SEARCH

Return to top of Page

 

 

 

The Banger

AGM records

Conservation Area

Development issues

Planning Applications

New housing

Pubs & Restaurants

Schools

Policing and Crime

Traffic problems

Litter

Events

FORUM

Local History

SEARCH

Return to top of Page

 

 

 

The Banger

AGM records

Conservation Area

Development issues

Planning Applications

New housing

Pubs & Restaurants

Schools

Policing and Crime

Traffic problems

Litter

Events

FORUM

Local History

SEARCH

Return to top of Page

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Banger

AGM records

Conservation Area

Development issues

Planning Applications

New housing

Pubs & Restaurants

Schools

Policing and Crime

Traffic problems

Litter

Events

FORUM

Local History

SEARCH

Return to top of Page

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Banger

AGM records

Conservation Area

Development issues

Planning Applications

New housing

Pubs & Restaurants

Schools

Policing and Crime

Traffic problems

Litter

Events

FORUM

Local History

SEARCH

Return to top of Page

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Banger

AGM records

Conservation Area

Development issues

Planning Applications

New housing

Pubs & Restaurants

Schools

Policing and Crime

Traffic problems

Litter

Events

FORUM

Local History

SEARCH

Return to top of Page

Produced for the Broomhill Neighbourhood and Action Group by Map21Ltd

Disclaimers - please read before using this website