Sheffield Local Customs

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Fright Night is now Europes largest Halloween Party - held on the last Sunday in October since 2000, between 15.30 and 20.30. This year (2011) a crowd of over 40,000 was expected.
This was the first year that I'd actually got around to visiting this event. Luckily it was an unusually mild night, so the crowds were out in force! (The previous year there had been heavy rain)
The centre of Sheffield is closed off to traffic, as Fairground rides are installed on the centres streets. Market stalls, kiosks selling masks, flashing devils horns/light sabres etc, food stalls etc.
I was expecting that the food stalls would be the same as the usual Continental markets, with dishes from Spain, Germany, France etc, but it was mainly burgers and hot dogs, though I did spot a German bratwurst van - The queues for food were massive!
In the various squares (Orchard, Leopold, Tudor) as well as The Moor, Pinstone Street, Surrey Street, Fargate, Barkers Pool, Peace Gardens and the Winter Garden are attractions for all ages.

This year there was the GhostBusters Car, an American Hearse, Zombies, a Giant Frankenstein (who apparently got attacked by light sabre weilding children), people sitting in baths of maggots, a fire breathing horse, dances and animations. In the Lyceum Theatre, there was a performance of Sing-A-Long-A-Rocky-Horror-Show.
Mr P Dreadful led one of his famous Ghost Walks.
I didn't get to see all of the attractions.

For me, the best part was seeing the various costumes.
Travelling into Sheffield by bus (public transport is encouraged*, as Parking is difficult at busy times, plus the city centre is mainly closed) Most of the passengers were dressed in costume - from babies to teenagers - We had witches, black cats, a baby frankenstein, pirates, schoolgirls covered in scars and blood streaked clothing. I was dressed in black and had a set of devil horns in my bag, plus a mask for Phil, which he wore for all of 2 minutes, so that I could take a photo of him!

Arriving in the city centre (at around 16.30), we even spotted a couple of dogs dressed as devils! It wasn't long before night fell, and the atmosphere increased. We shuffled up Fargate, dodging pushchairs among the large crowd, and headed into Orchard Square, where there were some imagainative groups in Fancy Dress. Phil and I escaped to Leopold Square and took advantage of Happy Hour in La Forete for a cocktail each - surprisingly we were among only a handfull of customers (Last time we had visited, it was packed full)
Dutch courage worked, and I put on my Devils Horns (which I kept on all night)
Back into the throng, we mosied on around the squares and streets, enjoying watching the sights and soaking up the atmosphere. I think I enjoyed it more than Phil - he wasn't so happy with being jostled about in the crowd.
Feeling hungry, we adjourned to All Bar One, where we relaxed over our meal and a drink, before heading back down Fargate to catch our bus home, where we were accompanied by more passengers in costume.

I quite enjoyed Fright Night - There was a Great atmosphere, with all ages having fun.
If you don't like crowds, it might not be so pleasant, and there were long queues for the rides and food stalls.

*First Bus Group offered bus-goers a discounted FirstDay Group ticket, which gave up to five people (maximum of two adults) unlimited travel around South Yorkshire on First buses for the whole day for just £5
Public Transport: http://www.travelsouthyorkshire.com/fright/ or call the Travel South Yorkshire Traveline on 01709 51 51 51.

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600 artists playing in various outside and indoor venues over the last weekend of July (22-24th in 2011).... and it's all for free!
This was the first time that I'd managed to get to 'Tramlines' and I was so pleased that I did this year, as the weather was perfect, and Sheffield became one huge party venue for all ages. There was a real friendly buzz about the city centre.
This 'Free for All Music Festival' originated in 2009 to celebrate Sheffields 'diverse Musical community' It was such a success, that it doubled in size the following year, with over 125,000 visitors seeing acts at 50 venues.
Why Tramlines? Well, the venues of pubs, clubs and open squares/gardens and parks were located on or near to the Sheffield Tram route.
It has now spread beyond 'the tramlines' to Heeley City Farm and Endcliffe Park - still reachable by bus services.
Over the weekend there are 'unlimited' Supertram tickets £8 for the weekend/£3.70 for a day (2011) Traveline - Tel. 01709515151 www.supertram.com.
Two buses - The tramlines Busker Bus and The Blues and Ale trail run on separate routes over the weekend - although I had difficulty finding the times that they ran - which was disappointing as I needed to get from the Peace Gardens to Kelham Island, and the Blues and Ale bus would have been perfect - in the end I jumped in a taxi.

I spent Saturday in the Peace Gardens at the World Stage, where I was blown away by the acts that I saw. It made me quite proud of 'my city'
Besides music, there were dance acts performing.

The main stage is on Devonshire Green, which gets quite busy, with queues of upto 90 minutes - on the Saturday, Pixie Lott, Olli Murs and Nerina Pallot were the headliners - Not local artists though. On Friday night, local heroes Heaven 17 played on the New Music Stage in Barkers Pool.

On Fargate, the Continental Market offered a variety of cuisines and a bar. A few food stalls were located by the Peace Gardens - I enjoyed a taste of Japan - teriyaki chicken noodles. There was a bar in the Peace Gardens too, but I noticed that the supermarkets nearby were doing a roaring trade too!

I'm certainly looking forward to next year - especially if the weather is as good!

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For over a hundred years, this intricate sword dance has been performed in Woodhouse and Handsworth , in South East Sheffield.

Every Boxing Day (26th December), the dancers demonstrate their skills first in Woodhouse, then at around 12.00 they arrive at Handsworth, outside the parish church (pic 2) (and next to the Cross Keys pub). This is where I watch them, as it's very close to my home.
Sheffield is the only city in England to have two longsword teams Handsworth (South East)and Grenoside ( North West)

"Handsworth Sword Dance is performed with each dancer holding the sword point of the dancer at his side, (on his left), forming a circle.
The dance lasts about 9 minutes and is made up of a fast paced set of complex figures, finishing with the swords linked together making the ‘Lock’. The lock is then held aloft by the captain."

Please check out their website (see below) for more info about the dance and history of Handsworth Sword Dancers.

Besides the dancing, there is traditional carol singing, and a satirical play, which is based on the tradition of Mummers.
Afterwards, everyone adjourns to the local pub for more singing and drinking. The last time I was here, the usual venue of The Cross Keys, was closed, but as it has since re-opened, I guess this is the pub of choice.

Incidently, Handsworth Parish Church is the only one of its kind to have a public house in its church yard - The Cross Keys!
It's original purpose was as accommodation for the chaplains and lay clerks. It is thought to date back to the mid 13th century

I particularly enjoy the traditional version of 'While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks by Night' or Sweet bells, which is sung here every year.

Check out Kate Rusby singing Sweet Bells to hear this version.

It's a nice part of Christmas for me, but I'm afraid that I've missed seeing this performance for the past few years, as I've been away for Christmas.

Come along, but wrap up VERY warm - it's usually quite nippy! Bring your camera, and a few coins for the donations bucket.

26th December 2011 falls on a Sunday, so this will be performed on the Monday instead

11:15am at Market Square, Woodhouse, S13 7JX. (next to Cross Street)
12:00pm at Handsworth in front of St. Mary's Church, S13 9BZ.

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Although Ian Macmillan is the 'Bard of Barnsley' one of his poems can be seen near Sheffield Train Station (pic 1).(On the wall by the steps leading off of Paternoster Row to the Fountains/Water feature etc)

Recently I've spotted more examples of local poetry adorning the walls of buildings.

A few steps away (heading up to Hallam University) is a poem by Andrew Morton. (pic 2)

My favourite is one by Jarvis Cocker over by Bramall Lane on the wall of student accommodation

There can be no better introduction to the local atmosphere of Sheffield, it's people, humour and language than getting hold a copy of the dark British comedy 'The Full Monty'.

The film begins (ironically enough) with an old promotional film of the city, and then proceeds to follow the fortunes of half-a-dozen unemployed steelworkers. They take the rather drastic step of becoming a troupe of male strippers, a-la the 'Chippendales'.
(Indeed the working title was ; Eggs, beans and Chippendales)

Faithfully using a number of locations around the city, the film climaxes with their first sell-out performance. Movie legend has it that the scene was filmed a number of times in the club, as the men stripped down to their undies. Only in the final take did they go for the 'Full Monty' (total nudity) and the camera, trained on the audience this time took in their genuine stunned amazement.

A great film, and very, very funny. Watch it.

Traditionally held the night before the wedding i.e Fri night, but hangovers etc, meant a move to Thurs night. Nowadays for some reason, these pre wedding "last night of freedoms" are held at least a week before the nuptuals, some being held abroad, Barcelona, Prague, Amsterdam being popular destinations.
However, In Sheffield, on Thur/Fri/ Sat nights be prepared for groups of women , headed by one,attired in bridal veil, and adorned with a nylon nightie covered in condoms/L plates/porno pics/messages etc etc, followed by a gang of shrieking mates, wearing devil horns/Beware Hen Party on the lose sashes etc.. wielding bottles of alcopops, or dubious looking cocktails!

Stag groups, although not usually dressed in a similar way, can be spotted, again downing vast quantities of beer, lager etc etc.

Usually frequenting West Street, Division Street, Carver Street areas, Flares, Yates's, Ice Bar, Reflex, Lloyds, RSVP, Kingdom nightclub etc....Again to be spotted at chucking out time, weaving an unsteady route to the nearest taxi.

A few miles out of the city centre, and you'll see fields surrounded by dry stone walls. This centuries old craft is still in use to define boundaries, and confine cattle etc.

A common site in the Peak District, Yorks Dales etc.

If you're out walking, please don't damage these walls, by climbing over them..theres usually a style nearby to climb through.

There are courses to learn the art of dry stone walling, think one is at Birchover in Derbys, but I'll check it out (very soon!)

Manners are the main cultural tip here.....some thing that is slowly dying. It will be much appreciated to stand up on a bus and let the old or women sit down...open the doors for the person following you..not speaking with your mouth full etc etc.

Starring at someone can be seen as aggresive behaviour and can provoke allsorts of reactions and get you into a huge amount of trouble if you are staring at the wrong person.

Just because some one calls you a mate it doesnt mean they like you.....if they cal you mucker you know you are the good friends and you can stare all you want.

Another custom that is worth remembering is "mashing" english like to drink their tea, so if they tell you they are going to get mashed and would you like to join them, it doesnt mean they are going on an orgy of druggs....just making a simple cup of tea.

It is custom to pay your way if you go out with any locals to a resturaunt or bar.....they will try to not let you pay, but if you dont you will be classed as a "cheap skate" or "tight fisted" and you will loose any respect you had. If you are invited to some ones house and offered biscuits with your tea feel free to accept them, if you are offered for a second time and take more biscuits, your host will keep smiling but will class you as a "greedy git" in their heads. After all outings or visits and the guests have left, it is traditional for the hosts to discuss if their guests fall into theses catogeries. If they do it will be discussed at great lengths and any observations will be in minute detail.

For the guys out there if you want to follow English traditions and customs, when you go to the pubs dont buy half pints, go for the full pint. It feels much better drinking a pint and looks a lot less effeminate.