I visited Crookes Street Market and found unexpected entertainment and gifts at Sheffield event

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com 
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
When you think of markets in Sheffield, if you’re a certain age you think of Castle and Sheaf.

Perhaps these days it may be more The Moor Market that instantly springs to mind. But do you think of Crookes?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

I’d certainly not associated it with markets before. But now it has started hosting an occasional street market.

With Christmas on the way and presents to buy, I decided to take a look at it when it was run on Sunday.

A stall at Crookes MarketA stall at Crookes Market
A stall at Crookes Market | National World

It was easy to get to, with the 52 bus running close, and pretty regularly. And getting off the bus, it was easy to see where it was taking place with Stannington View Road and Colchester Road both marked with road closed signs, and stalls as far as the eye could see.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And it was looking packed. Walking along the road, there were stalls selling food and drink, as well as people offering all sorts of products ranging from jewellery to wooden goods, and all sorts of art.

The market itself was spread over two streets. In addition, a lot of the nearby shops and cafes on the main road also appeared to be open.

I chatted to a couple of the stall holders.

Sheffield City Morris hit the streets. Photo: David KessenSheffield City Morris hit the streets. Photo: David Kessen
Sheffield City Morris hit the streets. Photo: David Kessen | National World

Mike Petty, from Oughtibridge, who runs Mike's Crafty Hands, had brought his stall, selling wooden goods he manufactures himself.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said it had been a good day for sales: “It’s been a really good day. The weather’s been on our side, plenty of people out and about - you can’t beat it really.”

Jane Baldi, from Autum Harvest, was selling mushrooms. She said: “The atmosphere is absolutely lovely. And people are spending, they’re socialising, it’s a lovely lovely market at Crookes. I’ve been twice before and really enjoy the atmosphere.”

Walking along, I could see a group of men and women all wearing matching green and white costumes. There was also a jingly sound of bells.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

I’d not expected entertainment, but a quick question revealed this was the Sheffield City Morris, a group of local morris dancers.

Soon they were going full morris - first a group of women performing to the sound of an accordion, before receiving warm applause. They were followed up by a group of men, with a different routine, also receiving similar applause, and coping admirably with the attentions a barking dog, which was visiting the market with its owner.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Kevin Allbones, from the dancers, said they’d performed there on several occasions, sometimes in heavy rain. He said it was a good place to perform.

So what did I get out of my experience? Some unexpected entertainment and a tasty looking cake for starters. But crucially, a couple of things ticked of the presents to buy list that I may not have come across otherwise!

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.