If you scroll through this set of pictures, dating back as far as the 1960s, you will see Sheffielders turning out for light switch-on celebrations and festive illuminations; queuing up to meet Father Christmas and searching through the incredible array of toys on offer at Sheffield’s legendary Redgates store.
You will also see large crowds congregating in a sparkling Barker’s Pool as they wait for the Christmas lights to be turned on; people stopping to take in the wonder of the Goodwin Fountain in its festive finery and postal workers hard at work as they sort all of the Christmas post being sent to people living acros the city.
![The annual switch on always attracts big crowds.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjc0NGExOGE0LTQ0YjItNGIwNi1iNTQxLWZhOWVkMTU0NWQwZjo0YjBhMzUzNy1mYmVjLTQ2NjctYWRmNC1jYTdmMzE4YTdlMGE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
13. The countdown to Christmas is on
The annual switch on always attracts big crowds. Photo: JP
![A busy day in the postal depot in the early 1970s.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjA0NjZmYzVjLWZmMGMtNDY1MS05ODhiLTBiZWY1YmFlOTQ1NTo1MDdlNDI0NS0zNjFiLTRmNzQtOWRmOS0xNjhlOWZlNTNhMzk=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
14. Postal workers sort Christmas cards and letters
A busy day in the postal depot in the early 1970s. Photo: JP