Letter: Pleasure from memories

On behalf of many Sheffield people now in their 80s and older, may I thank The Star newspaper for the excellent reports in Saturday night’s (November 23), edition, in particular, the magnificent Retro photograph of the old Neepsend Power Station.

Using a good pair of binoculars in the 1960s from the Marchwood Estate gave a similar image of the then active power plant. The photo was most likely taken just below the sharp bend on Walkley Lane. The imposing cooling towers that had survived WW2 were still essential for electric generation, but the three chimney towers in between were part of the initial preparations for the future land-filling operations.

As children exploring the meadow, these brick stacks were ‘sky-high’ and we couldn’t understand their purpose.

Some people may remember taking their household rubbish there during the Winter of Discontent strikes. The brick stacks gradually disappeared from view over the next 40 or so years but are now serving their purpose in venting the still decomposing rubbish.

Another image, that of Sheaf Street 1961, takes us back to the walk down Dixon Lane to the open rag and tag market. It also shows cranes restoring parts of Haymarket after the destructive war.

In addition to the Retro, the previous article about Mavis Whitworth and her remarkable loyalty and support for the Blades conjured up memories from just after the war. Mavis’ choice of Jimmy Hagan was spot on. I would add Alan Hodgkinson, Joe and Graham Shaw, Ted Hemsley and Tony Currie. For the Owls, I would suggest Albert Quixall, Tony Kay, Ron Springett (with his pacing between the posts), Redfern Froggatt and Peter Swan.

As many people become practically housebound they get a lot of pleasure from memories and family photographs. The support for these fond memories doesn’t just come through the airwaves or through the front main door but through the letterbox, just like the Saturday night’s Star.

It’s also widely appreciated that showing such images to patients with memory loss and memory difficulties can induce a sparkle of joy to both the patient and guardian.