Forgotten BBC footage from 1959 shows the people of Sheffield were worried about everything from new roads destroying the countryside to long distance relationships

The Tonight show took to the wet streets of Sheffield in 1959 to speak to people about what was worrying them in their lives and the answers are funny and insightful showing how life was more than six decades ago and showed how some worries are timeless like where to holiday or the state of a person’s relationship.
The woman who was worried her dog wasn't allowed on a Sheffield busThe woman who was worried her dog wasn't allowed on a Sheffield bus
The woman who was worried her dog wasn't allowed on a Sheffield bus

The footage, released to The Star by the BBC archive, sees presenter John Morgan interviewing a wide spectrum of people, all the while moaning about the city’s wet weather for the Tonight Show which was aired on 24 November 1959.

The first lady he spoke to was bemoaning about her little dog was not allowed to travel on the city’s buses, she said: “It’s the only town in the country where you can’t take the dog on the bus.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Another person interviewed was worried about she would go on holiday and said: “I always have to go to Wales and it gets a bit boring when you go every year.”

Holidaying in Wales...againHolidaying in Wales...again
Holidaying in Wales...again

The conversation took a serious turn when the new roads cutting through the countryside were being discussed and one resident said: “The roads are ruining the countryside.”One man who was interviewed had many worries and said: “We have had an affluent 20 golden years and despite material prosperity things are pretty bad.”

He said houses were broken, there were more juvenile delinquent and the prisons were full. He said the reason for this was men and women have taken God out of the equation and more people had turned away from God since the war but if people found their faith it could resolve more problems.

When John was talking a young couple they spoke of their worries of getting married and how starting a family would impact on their nice lifestyle where they went abroad every year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The final person said he was worried about his bird. When question what bird he kept the man said: “My girlfriend. I’m in Sheffield and shes in London and she might be going out with someone else you don’t know.”

People have lost God in their lives said a concerned manPeople have lost God in their lives said a concerned man
People have lost God in their lives said a concerned man

Watch the video here and take a look at the fashions, cars and the buildings in the background as well as what people are worried about and see how many concerns would still be relevant to you today.

Have you joined The Star’s retro Facebook group full of memories and nostalgia from across the city? Click here to find it

A message from the Editor:

Thank you to all who support local journalism with a digital or print subscription to The Star. The events of 2020 and 2021 mean trusted, local journalism is more reliant than ever on your support. We couldn't do it without you. Subscribe here www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions so we can keep campaigning on your behalf. Stay safe.