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Fir Vale
Fir Vale maps
Historic maps of Fir Vale and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Fir Vale maps
Fir Vale area books
Displaying 1 of 28 books about Fir Vale and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Fir Vale
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of Fir Vale.
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Firvale Infirmary
I worked at Firvale Infirmary as a nurse from 1957-1959, but I cannot find anything in the archives relating to these years, does any one know?
South Yorkshire memories
Family
I had a step sister who lived in Grimesthorpe, her name was Lily. I can't remember her married name but she was married to a man called Joe who was Irish and she had a son called John. I can't remember what road they lived on but I live on Wincobank Lane now and would like to trace them if possible. She had a brother who was called Desmond Westney and he lived in Hillsborough. I remember visiting them and staying over and once went on a day trip to Mablethorpe with them. The last time I saw or heard from them was when me and my mum went to their house when I was sixteen to tell them unfortunately that Dad had passed away, but I have happy memories of playing in the yard with my cousin John. If anyone can help me trace them or knows what happened to them I would be grateful to hear, thank you.
Holidays With Grandparents
My first memory of Wincobank is having a holiday with grandparents in Vauxhall Road. I was only 12 at the time and it was an awful lot to take in after having been brought up in Kent. I clearly remember the turkeys wandering around freely across the road and the pigeons being kept at the top of the bank opposite the family home. The school at the top of the road is where my father and his siblings received their basic education. I wonsder whether Tizer is still available at was the corner shop on Newman Road.
Ancient History
In the process of searching for family details I have discovered that Google Earth has a lot of modern photographs of Wincobank as well as a clear picture of the site of the ancient castle fort between Wincobank and Shiregreen. I would like to know what happened to the cinema which used to be in the area going back 50 years and more.
Songs of Praise at Ecclesall Church
This was the church I went to as a child - mostly I had to go as a condition of attending Brownies, but it was always both imposing and comforting as a building and place of worship. However, the most outstanding memory I have is when, in the early sixties, the BBC visited to broadcast a live service. Normally the church was about two-thirds full, but that day, there were far more people than spaces on pews, and the BBC chaps on the door were 'vetting' people as they tried to enter. Luckily mum was dressed in a new outfit which was the height of fashion. I don't remember her smart skirt suit, but I do remember her dark maroon hat with rakish feather. The BBC chappie sent her straight down to the front pew, as a suitable candidate to appear on live TV. They didn't reckon on me and my younger brother, however, as neither of us could take our eyes off the cameras - we spent the whole... Read more
Sticklebacks at Wire Mill Dam
After dad got his first car, an Austin A30, he used to take me and my younger brother out for trips a little further afield, and Wire Mill Dam was one of our very favourite places. We'd be armed with a jam jar and fishing net apiece, and spend hours trying to catch the numerous sticklebacks, and watch people sailing their model boats. The sticklebacks were carefully carried home, but they never survived long in their glass jars.
It was a very busy place, the photographer must have been there during the week, and during school term time.
This photo gave me a wry smile, as the photographer must have been standing in the exact spot from which I fell in the water one Sunday afternoon! Dad made me stand up in the car all the way home so I didn't get the seats wet, and I got quite a scolding from mum once we got back.
Magic And Mischief
When it was new , the changing colours of floodlights that swept round the fountain and tinted the sprays looked so futuristic and bright, You could stare at them waiting for the cycle to run over again. At times it froze into grotesque lumps, but the most amazing was when students put Teepol or other industrial strength soaps into it and the froth flowed down the street. Equally impressive was the fluorescent dye that gave the water a yellow green radiance. It was much abused but ever entertaining. Shame it has gone, probably offended Health and Safety?
