A piece of city's history

The maker’s plate, from one of two gasholders currently being dismantled at a site near Meadowhall, was donated to the museum by National Grid.

Made of steel, and weighing around 50 kilograms, the plate will feature alongside historic aerial pictures of the Newman Road site, forming part of an upcoming exhibition about the history of energy in Sheffield.

After South Yorkshire was granted powers to develop the first gas grid in the country, it was not long before a boost in capacity was needed. The largest of the two Meadowhall gasholders – which could be seen from the M1 – was built in 1938 and had a capacity of eight million cubic feet. It meant the structure was the largest spiral-guided gasholder in the world when constructed.

Gareth Taylor, Land Regeneration Manager at National Grid, said: “We’re proud to make this donation to the museum. While gasholders are now no longer used, they once played a key role in securing energy to homes and businesses across Sheffield.

“As the gasholders have stood empty for years, we’re preparing the site for a better use in the future. It will be satisfying to know that the story will live on at the museum.”

Alison Duce, of the Kelham Island Museum said: “We were very pleased to receive the plaque at Kelham Island Museum, which fits well with our upcoming plans.

It will form part of the new display looking at the story of power and the industries of Sheffield as part of the Sheffield 1916: Steel, Steam and Power project due to open later in the year.”