Do you have memories of Cunninghams the piccalilli makers?

Pungent smells emanating from their factory used to be synonymous with Queens Road where they were based in days gone by.

The brand is no longer based in Sheffield but memories of its existence live on through message boards. You’ll also still find it on the supermarket shelves - these days its operated by Manchester-based Seasoner Fine Foods.

Did you work there or have memories of the place?

Dungworth Bradfield Heritage Group were recently given a £46,920 National Lottery Heritage Fund grant to explore the city’s contribution to food production down the decades.

And before you say ‘what contribution to food production’ there is method in their madness.

Sheffield has actually been producing household-name style food brands since Victorian times – think Bassett’s which was producing liquorice at the height of the industrial revolution whilst the rest of Sheffield was obsessed with heavy industry.

The project is tasked with the research and collation of archive materials relating to city's often unsung food industry.

Central to it is the collection of stories and memories from Sheffield's former and current food producers and their workers. Bachelor’s, Bassett’s, Simpkins, Sutherlands and Thorntons all have their roots in Sheffield – and they’re just the tip of the culinary ice-berg.

Many of these industries were founded in the Victorian era. Some still exist, others have gone or have been subsumed into other companies. This is thought to be the first comprehensive study and overview of the city's food industry and will result in a book and exhibition based on the learning, research and support of an army of volunteer and community support.

Funding is supporting the history group in the training of volunteers and the creation of handling and activity days with Sheffield Museums. A book will cover the different aspects of local food manufacturers and pay special attention to the stories of former workers. The project is based in the city centre (SADACCA), Hillsborough and Bradfield areas where the majority of the food manufacturing was based. The resulting book, memories and exhibition, supported by promotional materials, will be toured around the area/city, around local groups, exhibition spaces and Sheffield Museums. Activities will include intergenerational and multicultural exchanges to learn about food heritage at SADACCA. Cooking and sampling will form part of the learning and understanding of the Afro-Caribbean food heritage.

More information from: https://dungworthbradfieldheritage.wordpress.com/

If you have memories relating to Cunninghams please contact Richard Godley on: 07854 646742.