Sheffield retro: Timeless photos show how children used to play in the city during 1960s

By Robert Cumber

Published 8th Feb 2023, 04:45 BST

Updated 8th Feb 2023, 07:35 BST

In a world before video games, social media and streaming services, youngsters often had to make their own entertainment.

But as these fascinating retro photos of children playing across Sheffield during the 60s show, they never found it hard to amuse themselves in an era when the whole city was their playground. All the images featured in this retro photo gallery were captured by James Leslie Frederick Kellie, who chronicled life in Sheffield during what was a very different era. They are shared courtesy of Picture Sheffield.

Youngsters playing football on a terraced street in Attercliffe, Sheffield, during the 1960s

1. Kickabout

Youngsters playing football on a terraced street in Attercliffe, Sheffield, during the 1960s Photo: James Leslie Frederick Kellie/Picture Sheffield

Children playing on Pye Bank Close in Pitsmoor, Sheffield, during the 1960s. The maisonettes there were known locally as the 'upside down houses' because the bedrooms were downstairs and the living areas were upstairs

2. 'Upside down houses'

Children playing on Pye Bank Close in Pitsmoor, Sheffield, during the 1960s. The maisonettes there were known locally as the 'upside down houses' because the bedrooms were downstairs and the living areas were upstairs Photo: James Leslie Frederick Kellie/Picture Sheffield

A child playing in an unidentified location within Sheffield, possibly Neepsend, during the early 1960s

3. Over the wall

A child playing in an unidentified location within Sheffield, possibly Neepsend, during the early 1960s Photo: James Leslie Frederick Kellie/Picture Sheffield

Youngsters dancing outside Sheffield's Park Hill flats during the early 60s

4. Dancing

Youngsters dancing outside Sheffield's Park Hill flats during the early 60s Photo: James Leslie Frederick Kellie/Picture Sheffield