The History Group now has a separate dedicated website, just click on the logo
Nether Edge History Group Annual Report July 2025
The History Group has again had a year of talks, walks and activity that has been appreciated by our followers. There is no signed up membership but a large following on John Baxendale's Facebook page ‘Nether Edge History’, a dozen or more attendees at our open meetings in the Union and a tiny, but perfectly formed, group of seven of us on the admin team who actually look after the group. Our finances are sound. We don’t have separate funds as all money is held by NENG. We occasionally borrow from them but overall we put more back into NENG than we take out.
We are fulfilling our rather ambitious aim of alternate walks and talks throughout the year. This year we learnt about Fulwood, from Village to Suburb, from Keith Pitchford. Shelagh Woolliscroft and Sue Turner spoke about Whirlow Hall and gardens. Shelagh gave us the history of the estate built by Percy Fawcett, the inventor of Brittania metal plate, the poor man’s version of real silver. Sue told us about the friends group, formed when the council was strapped for money. Nothing new there. The groups’ efforts and achievements take ones’s breath away. Also, Julie Banham talked about Joseph Hunter, founder of the Hunter Archaeological Society and his and his studies of Hallamshire. An account of The History of Sheffield Castle in Ten Objects, its history and the recent excavations, was given by John Moreland and Martin Gorman. Peter Machan spoke about his new book on the Rivelin, ‘Wanderings in a Curious Valley.’ In September, Scott Engering led us on a walk of The Stones that Built Nether Edge and a new history walk around the shops of Nether Edge took place in April.
At last the history board for the Kenwood house and estate is up. It was unveiled at the Hotel’s 100th anniversary bash. It looked splendid and was well received. The board is by the main entrance to the hotel. Due to popular demand we have reprinted our first book ‘Aspects of Nether Edge’. It, and our other publications, can be bought from our Farmers’ Market stall and Wickwire .
We have had many an entertaining open evening at the Union, including Pril Rispeth’s intriguing account of her family and its ‘multiple marriages’. Margaret Blenkinsopp told us of her “criminal” family. Gordon Parkinson gave us the achievements of the incredible women in the 19thc Garrett family.
Our next talk is on Meersbrook Hall on Thursday July 17th, 7.30 at the Kenwood Hotel. Our Festival contribution is a family guided walk on Saturday 20th September at 10.30, starting at the bus stop by the old workhouse and hospital on Union Road. There will be a sheet for children, so a pencil and a book to rest on might be a good idea. We charge £5 for our talks, but walks are free with donations optional. Find us on the Nether Edge History group on Facebook. Sign up to get regular updates. EDGE magazine has regular articles and event details. See us in person at the Farmers’ Markets or contact@netheredgehistory.org.uk. A huge thank you goes to our supporters, particularly our admin group families who keep us going and don’t mind being dragged in to help at tricky moments. We always welcome anyone to join us. Each year is harder as we are getting older and more likely to have bits not working or falling off. So please, however small an offering, come and see us to help.
Kath Fry