Family nights at Carbrook pub and trips to East coast

Retro reader John Askham came down to our recent Retro event at the Moor Market with some memories of growing up in Carbrook, Sheffield.
Fancy dress hats were the order of the occasion at this night down at the British Oak in CarbrookFancy dress hats were the order of the occasion at this night down at the British Oak in Carbrook
Fancy dress hats were the order of the occasion at this night down at the British Oak in Carbrook

John is also a motorbike and sidecar enthusiast and we’ll be looking at the history of his club in a future edition.

John has shared some pictures taken at the British Oak pub that he says stood on Carbrook Street, almost next door to the New Inn that still stands there today.

The Askham and Holmes families enjoying a drink at the British Oak, CarbrookThe Askham and Holmes families enjoying a drink at the British Oak, Carbrook
The Askham and Holmes families enjoying a drink at the British Oak, Carbrook
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John said: “The British Oak was a great pub for entertainment​ in those days. Sadly I was too young to join in.

“As you suspect, all pictures show members of the Askham family prominently.”

One picture shows ‘Bob Askham with ladies’, To Bob’s right is John’s mum Mary Askham, then his Grandma Polly and neighbours Sarah Windall, John thinks, and Ethel Henshaw.

‘Boozy night’ shows Bob again, with John’s Grandma Polly, Aunt Mary and Aunt Cissy

A pub trip to Cleethorpes from the British Oak at Carbrook. John Askham is near the front with his school cap onA pub trip to Cleethorpes from the British Oak at Carbrook. John Askham is near the front with his school cap on
A pub trip to Cleethorpes from the British Oak at Carbrook. John Askham is near the front with his school cap on
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John said: On the pub trip picture I remember such names as Gert Cassidy, Elsie Nelson, Mary Holmes. Connie Piper with my mum nearly far right. I am nearly at the front with school cap on.”

He’s also sent in some photographs taken on family trips to Cleethorpes, around 1947 or 48.

John said: “I am the small boy at the front with arms on knees, watching Punch & Judy.

“My mum is in the starting line-up, third from right for the obstacle race.

Bob Askham with the ladies at the British Oak, CarbrookBob Askham with the ladies at the British Oak, Carbrook
Bob Askham with the ladies at the British Oak, Carbrook
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“We were holidaying at Humberstone. This is now a big caravan park. Then it was a collection of wooden shacks and converted buses.

“The door to our shack wouldn’t even close, never mind lock.

“We spent the whole of our holiday with the door slightly ajar. Maybe not a bad thing, as the smell of bottled gas was everywhere.”