For generations, the rattle of milk bottles was a familiar sound as milkmen delivered to most doorsteps in the city. Those milkmen included Ernest Sheldon, pictured, who delivered in Wincobank and is pictured in 1983. Although a few still have milk delivered in bottles, it is now less usual, and the noise of the bottles in their carriers as the milkman does his morning rounds is now rarely heard. Similarly, the sound of their electric milkfloats has pretty much disappeared.placeholder image
For generations, the rattle of milk bottles was a familiar sound as milkmen delivered to most doorsteps in the city. Those milkmen included Ernest Sheldon, pictured, who delivered in Wincobank and is pictured in 1983. Although a few still have milk delivered in bottles, it is now less usual, and the noise of the bottles in their carriers as the milkman does his morning rounds is now rarely heard. Similarly, the sound of their electric milkfloats has pretty much disappeared. | ©Sheffield Newspapers Ltd

These 10 memorable sounds, heard all the time in 70s, 80s and 90s Sheffield, are now lost or all but lost

David Kessen
By David Kessen

Senior reporter

Published 12th Jul 2025, 06:00 GMT
Updated 13th Jul 2025, 11:51 GMT

There are loads of things which look different about Sheffield now, compared to how it was 30 odd years ago.

But there also also many things that sound different when you listen.

Take the sounds of early morning on your street for instance.

Back in the 70s, at some point early in the day, the chances are you heard the rattle of milkbottles, and then the hum of the electric milk float as your milkman dropped delivered to your doorstep, before slowly driving off to his next stop along the street.

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Things like this were heard everywhere in the city in those days. But nowadays? They are seldom, if ever, heard.

Our gallery brings back memories of 10 sounds like this that you will likely remember from Sheffield in the past, which you no longer hear.

Take a look and see how many you recall.

The sound of old fashioned computers loading a program off a cassette has vanished from our classrooms and homes. The electronic whirrs and grating sounds that it created were familiar to all. The picture shows youngsters enjoying a lesson in the Design and Technology Department at a South Yorkshire school in November, 1987

5. Old fashioned computers loading up games from cassette

The sound of old fashioned computers loading a program off a cassette has vanished from our classrooms and homes. The electronic whirrs and grating sounds that it created were familiar to all. The picture shows youngsters enjoying a lesson in the Design and Technology Department at a South Yorkshire school in November, 1987 | Sheffield Newspapers Photo: Sheffield Newspapers

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Michael Cooke used to be one of the the best known voices in Sheffield, in the 70s and 80s as one of the main presenters on Radio Sheffield, and also on Look North, and was familiar to us all

6. The voice of Michael Cooke'

Michael Cooke used to be one of the the best known voices in Sheffield, in the 70s and 80s as one of the main presenters on Radio Sheffield, and also on Look North, and was familiar to us all | Sheffield Newspapers Ltd Photo: Sheffield Newspapers

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Tony Capstick, pictured here in 1984, was one of the best known voices on Radio Sheffield in the 70s and 80s. He even famously had a chart hit with Capstick Comes Home

7. The voice of Tony Capstick

Tony Capstick, pictured here in 1984, was one of the best known voices on Radio Sheffield in the 70s and 80s. He even famously had a chart hit with Capstick Comes Home | Sheffield Newspapers Ltd Photo: Sheffield Newspapers

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Many will remember how back in the early 80s, Sheffield briefly operated 'musical buses'. South Yorkshire Transport fitted speakers on board, and music was played along with adverts. Slogans such as The Moor the Merrier, promoted The Moor shopping area, filled the air on board. Photo: South Yorkshire PTE / Picture Sheffield

8. The musical bus

Many will remember how back in the early 80s, Sheffield briefly operated 'musical buses'. South Yorkshire Transport fitted speakers on board, and music was played along with adverts. Slogans such as The Moor the Merrier, promoted The Moor shopping area, filled the air on board. Photo: South Yorkshire PTE / Picture Sheffield | South Yorkshire PTE / Picture Sheffield Photo: South Yorkshire PTE / Picture Sheffield

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