St Petre Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 On 12/12/2018 at 4:13 PM, trastrick said: They, along with Boots, Flanagans and Gleasons built most of Sheffield in the 1950's. They hired half of Ireland as laborers. I worked on a lot of their projects. There was one more major builder but I can't remember their name. Anybody? Finnegans and Wimpey ? ( maybe not Sheffield based firms tho'.) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Hardie Posted December 16, 2018 Share Posted December 16, 2018 On 12/12/2018 at 9:13 PM, trastrick said: They, along with Boots, Flanagans and Gleasons built most of Sheffield in the 1950's. They hired half of Ireland as laborers. I worked on a lot of their projects. There was one more major builder but I can't remember their name. Anybody? Percy Hassall. Hassall Homes or Hassall's Castles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert smith Posted December 16, 2018 Share Posted December 16, 2018 (edited) 2 hours ago, Jim Hardie said: Percy Hassall. Hassall Homes or Hassall's Castles. Wimpey's built a load of estates on Sheffields outskirts , Parkins of Rotherham built a massive estate at Bradway, the biggest of the lot at that time was the PWD, ran by our own City council ,this firm saved us millions in contract fees and were a brilliant idea that for some reason we lost to private enterprise. They built Parkhill. Kelvin, Hyde Park, Brook Hill , parts of Greenhill and Gleadless Valley , The Sheaf Valley baths and many more sites throughout the City . I worked on all those plus for the Contractors named else where . We could pick and choose our site and would move across the road for an extra tanner or bob an hour . Hassalls where the worst payers of all and due to the money they gave to build a pair of houses the gangs just threw them up not caring about quality or cutting corners , I walk past Hassalls Castles now and wonder how they manage to still look O.K after 50 years or so a tribute really to the gangs that were ripped of by the lump prices given around 1965 .. Edited December 16, 2018 by Albert smith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Petre Posted December 16, 2018 Share Posted December 16, 2018 Wimpey's built the Pye Bank estate 1960-62 ish, I suppose the council had to sub that one out as PWD had so much going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert smith Posted December 16, 2018 Share Posted December 16, 2018 1 hour ago, St Petre said: Wimpey's built the Pye Bank estate 1960-62 ish, I suppose the council had to sub that one out as PWD had so much going. PWD was building Park Hill then followed by Hyde Park ,I worked on both . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Petre Posted December 16, 2018 Share Posted December 16, 2018 1 hour ago, Albert smith said: PWD was building Park Hill then followed by Hyde Park ,I worked on both . Did the PWD build Norfolk Park especially the tower blocks ? I think Vic Halom had something to do with the houses and they were-I believe- a Nottingham firm. 3 hours ago, Albert smith said: Wimpey's built a load of estates on Sheffields outskirts , Parkins of Rotherham built a massive estate at Bradway, the biggest of the lot at that time was the PWD, ran by our own City council ,this firm saved us millions in contract fees and were a brilliant idea that for some reason we lost to private enterprise. They built Parkhill. Kelvin, Hyde Park, Brook Hill , parts of Greenhill and Gleadless Valley , The Sheaf Valley baths and many more sites throughout the City . I worked on all those plus for the Contractors named else where . We could pick and choose our site and would move across the road for an extra tanner or bob an hour . Hassalls where the worst payers of all and due to the money they gave to build a pair of houses the gangs just threw them up not caring about quality or cutting corners , I walk past Hassalls Castles now and wonder how they manage to still look O.K after 50 years or so a tribute really to the gangs that were ripped of by the lump prices given around 1965 .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert smith Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 (edited) 12 hours ago, St Petre said: Did the PWD build Norfolk Park especially the tower blocks ? I think Vic Halom had something to do with the houses and they were-I believe- a Nottingham firm. Most of the Tower blocks on Norfolk Park were built by Gleesons ,Worked on a couple ,got the sack one Friday and started again the following Monday , I worked for Gleesons at seven different times ,never for very long . The Tower blocks that are still standing at Brookhill (miracle that int it) were built by thePWD. My pal Gilbert Hartley was the site agent ,A smashing gaffer was big G. Edited December 17, 2018 by Albert smith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barnsley Roy Posted April 28, 2019 Share Posted April 28, 2019 Hello, I worked for George Longdens from 1969 to the company entering receivership in 1980, I started with the company on Barnsley DG Hospital then to, I was then transferred by the contracts manager David Tuke to the radio Hallam site on Campo Lane, I worked on this project from start to finish fitting out the recording studios and office areas etc. The site manager Neil Thorley had a dog called Mutley who was very good with a football! He was taken to Bramhall Lane adorned with a shirt and photographed by a Sheffield newspaper photographer he appeared in the Star and became the stations mascot. From there I was transferred to Sheffield newspapers next door to install the new machine bases for the Goss presses, On completion of the bases I was given the job of converting the Longdens offices garages in St Peters Close to further offices, then I was sent to Barclays Bank on Fargate ( now a coffee shop ) to carry out a complete refurb from there to Castleford telephone exchange and then on to York police station, the company at this stage was in administration and then entered receivership. I was retained to carry out all the retention works and was finally made redundant back on Barnsley hospital years later, I am sure I was the last employee of Longdens being given my redundancy pay etc. by the receiver a M r B Wolf of Wolf associates. Names I remember, Mr Ken Shaw MD, Roy Hibberd site manager, David Gausden joiner, Ian Mathews bricklayer and Earnest ? the BIG Lotty driver, wonderful company to work for happy, happy days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarrellW Posted May 3, 2019 Share Posted May 3, 2019 Hi There Barnsley Roy..This is the first time Sheffield Newspaper complete build has been mentioned. Built and completed by George Longdens in the 1960s.I was working for the firm who did all the plumbing work from the 9" cast iron drains underground to the lead flashing on the roof.All on day work.Signed off by the then General Forman Cyril Gordon Names I remember == Leo. Crane driver Frank Joiner. .Tommy Hacket Joiner. Polish chap who did all the surface concrete finishing, Great Times... I was there for 8 years ..I remember the Goss presses I had to get the ink pipe to them.Has you say very happy days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheffandy Posted November 5, 2019 Share Posted November 5, 2019 Didn't realise that Longden Doors closed Feb 2019. Sad end really after all those years. The name still lives on in County Durham as the rights to use the Longden name and branding were bought by another company. https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/jobs-lost-as-historic-sheffield-door-firm-closes-134381 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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