Sheffielder John Askham recalls childhood memories of Carbrook’s ‘Little Wembley’

Retro reader John Askham continues his memories of his boyhood in Carbrook in the 1940s and 50s, a pupil at Carbrook C of E School.
One of John Askham's childhood neighbours in Carbrook, Mary GoddardOne of John Askham's childhood neighbours in Carbrook, Mary Goddard
One of John Askham's childhood neighbours in Carbrook, Mary Goddard

At sport, I wasn’t the tops. I was pretty fast at running, but it was just my luck to have in the same team as I, as it were, Alan Fearnley and Mick Hollingworth. Alan, being tall would soon pass me in a sprint. Mick was always just that bit faster. Both have since passed on.

Alan Fearnley, incidentally, was in the Guards – them chaps that march up and down outside Buckingham Palace. Alan certainly did well for himself.

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I was usually in the team that had to oppose the first team, whether it be football or cricket, the latter of which was probably toe in the water stuff. Us in the second team were nearly always on the back burner when it came to any accolades being handed out by the sports teacher. I cannot remember his name.

John Askham and friends playing football in his yard in Short Street, Carbrook, SheffieldJohn Askham and friends playing football in his yard in Short Street, Carbrook, Sheffield
John Askham and friends playing football in his yard in Short Street, Carbrook, Sheffield

On one occasion when playing cricket, I took a catch while fielding at third man. The teacher promptly said: “Well lad, I didn’t think you had it in you.”

Soon after, another catch came my way. I could have easily caught it but I let it slip from my hands. It wouldn’t have been proper to have disappointed ‘Sir’, would it? (Who’s a rebel?)

The school sports ground was on Ranskill Road. We called it Little Wembley. This has now been long gone. It was swallowed up when the Tinsley Marshalling Yard was built.

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Previous to the marshalling yard this area was the site of Tinsley Park Collier”. We used the pit ponds as our own personal playground.

Youngsters including Mary Goddard playing in the yard in Short Street, Carbrook, SheffieldYoungsters including Mary Goddard playing in the yard in Short Street, Carbrook, Sheffield
Youngsters including Mary Goddard playing in the yard in Short Street, Carbrook, Sheffield

There was a pond for fishing, one for swimming and one which I loved. This was the raft pond. We would go into the scrap yard there, where we would remove a petrol tank or two, then make a raft and go paddling around on the water.

I think I must have imagined that I was Huckleberry Finn, the character created by Mark Twain.

I even remember a couple of winters when we would ride our pedal bikes on the frozen water. How daft was that.

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My main friends were Allan Hutchinson, Alan Fearnley, Les Hartley, Terry Plant and Brian Munden. I lost touch with Allan Hutchinson many years ago.

A view of Carbrook  in June 1965A view of Carbrook  in June 1965
A view of Carbrook in June 1965

Then, I sent up to the Sheffield Star newspaper a photograph of my class at school. Shortly afterwards I received a phone call from Allan’s sister Kath. She told me that Allan was now living in the Wakefield area.

She told me that Allan was not well. Before I could arrange to see him, he passed away. Very sad. I have recently regained contact with Les Hartley. Of Terry and Brian, never a hint.

Of the girls, I did have dalliances with June Goddard, who was in a class higher than I, and Ann Wilford, who was in a lower class. Whatever happened to Ann. I do often wonder.

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After leaving school at Christmas 1957 I had various jobs in the steel industry around the Carbrook area. I lived at home on Short Street until 1966, when I married and moved away. I was 23 years old.

I did not move far, just over a mile to Wincobank, where I still live.

I could go on and write plenty more. When you get started, more and more things come to mind.

Happy days.

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