FAMILIES REDISCOVER THE PAST AT SHEFFIELD HAMLET
5th July 09
Hundreds of families visited a sunny Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet site last weekend for a free Family Sunday event celebrating its traditional crafts and skills heritage. Visitors heard tales about the fascinating story of the former Sheffield industrial site and explored living and working in an 18th century steel works.
The historical significance of Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, which dates back to the early 1800's when the area was an industrious scythe and steel works, was recreated with traditional skills and crafts performed as part of the annual Family Sunday series of events that takes place across the summer season at Abbeydale.
Niki Connolly, Events and Marketing Officer at Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust said,
"It was an action packed day and hundreds of families joined in the entertainment and activities, which included demonstrations from local craftspeople and the historical characters that Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust is famous for.
"It's fantastic that we can open the doors at Abbeydale for free so that families can see local traditions and former industry being brought back to life. We have a number of events taking place across the summer and are looking forward to equally well attended events. We would particularly welcome families who have never visited the site before to come and see us over the summer"
Highlights of the Family Sunday event were local craftspeople showcasing traditional skills including a blacksmith, grinder, potter, lacemakers, weavers, spinners and dyers, a cane seat maker and green woodcrafts. Hands-on children made traditional rag rugs and willow fish whilst the braver helped our blacksmith make a snail over the anvil. Others had fun learning the tricks of the trade as a chimney sweep, from the 1800s prowled the Hamlet site hunting out a willing assistant!
Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet remains open for free throughout the entire summer period, opening daily from 10 am until 4 pm Monday to Thursday and 11 am until 4.45 pm on Sunday.
