Teen hysteria in Sheffield was around long before The Beatles in the 1950s

Although The Beatles were still a few years away, there is no doubt the female population was warming their vocal chords up with bouts of hysteria throughout the 1950s.

Paul Anka, Ronnie Hilton, Bill Haley, Billy Fury, Tommy Steele, Cliff Richard, Johnny Ray and scores of others were all subjected to this ear-splitting trait guaranteed to totally ruin any gig for even the most mildly interested music fan.

Patricia Eales said: “I remember going to see Paul Anka at Sheffield City Hall.

“I went along with people from work and was really annoyed because one female colleague did nothing but scream all the way through the show. Diana was his big hit at the time. We were sat near the stage. It was really full.

“We regularly went in Marsdens Milk Bar on Pinstone Street. My mum used to waitress there and we used to go and meet her. I think they served food downstairs and drinks upstairs like coffee and teas.

“Seeing Ronnie Hilton was a big deal for me. I was in his fan club and everything. I used to wait at the stage door at the City Hall to meet him.

“He also made a special appearance at Cranes Record Shop. I queued to see him and I got to speak to him again. It was fantastic – I nearly fainted with excitement!

"Otherwise I’d normally get my records from Philip Cann on Dixon Lane which had booths so you could listen to the songs before you bought them.

“I’d regularly go to Saturday night dances at the Sheffield City Hall Ballroom. I’d go with my friend Denise and her brother Gordon who’d be there to look after us. There’d always be a dance band on.

“We’d also be regulars at the Locarno. It was a bit strange in there as there’d be a sloping floor which was left over from it being a cinema. We tried to jive occasionally, but we were never very good.

“The City Hall dances were the best though. I remember there was always a man who would march up and down the queue outside with sandwich boards shouting ‘the end of the world is nigh’ – he’d be there every week!

“Denise and I would normally be wearing Dirndl skirts, blouses or dresses – we were quite conservative.

“There was never anything short cut. I could never walk very well in high heels so I’d always bring them along in a small carry case and put them on when I got to the dance. I’d normally wear my hair up with a French plait. Denise normally had a big bouffant.

“Pubs were always frowned upon and I’d never dare tell my mother if I'd been to one. I’d occasionally go to the Mulberry Tavern and the Yorkshireman.

“Tales from the El Mambo cafe used to scare the life out of me. I never dared go. I’m sure it can’t have been bad at all.

“Christmas was obviously a highlight for us in Fir Vale in Sheffield. We always knew it was coming when Papa used to appear with a big tin of Cadbury’s Roses and bottle of sherry. It was tremendously exciting.

“My first job at 16 years old was working at Firth Vickers as the office girl. I ended up as a dictaphone typist.

“I was sent to Wraggs Business College in Nether Edge on day release each week to study touch typing and shorthand. It was in a really big house.

“I think there were a couple of trainee journalists from The Star there.

“My mother was always very strict. I’d never be allowed home after 11.30pm. I remember the tram being late one night and getting home 10 minutes late. I was absolutely terrified.

“She was waiting for me on the doorstep with a poker in her hand. My friend Gordon was totally shocked.

“She said ‘don’t worry, I’ve only been poking the fire’ and then had a right go at me for being late.

“I went to the Azena a couple of times, but can’t remember much about that.

“However, I do remember dances at Nether Edge Hall and a drink in the Lord Byron nearby. That was nice.”

Taken from the ‘Dirty Stop Out’s Guide to 1950s Sheffield’ – available from www.dirtystopouts.com for £13.95.