Look back to Sheffield Little Mesters history at Leah's Yard

These pictures give a fascinating glimpse into the world of the Little Mesters in one of their last surviving Sheffield city centre sites.
By julia.armstrong1
Published 26th Mar 2019, 17:19 BST
Updated 28th Mar 2019, 19:14 BST
Ted Hudson puts the finishing touches to a commission for Lyon’s Tea, Martin Gilbert, centre, Jack & Philip Drury, backgroundTed Hudson puts the finishing touches to a commission for Lyon’s Tea, Martin Gilbert, centre, Jack & Philip Drury, background
Ted Hudson puts the finishing touches to a commission for Lyon’s Tea, Martin Gilbert, centre, Jack & Philip Drury, background

My colleague Sam Cooper, who obtained these pictures, has been covering the story about the future for Leah’s Yard in Cambridge Street.

The council, which bought the site in 2015, is currently looking at how to redevelop and preserve Leah’s Yard.

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Sam spoke to Philip Drury, who took over family firm F Drury Silvermiths Ltd in 1981.

At work in the silver shop at Leah’s Yard. Edwin Speight, foreground, Jack Drury, Arthur Makepace and Bert JefferiesAt work in the silver shop at Leah’s Yard. Edwin Speight, foreground, Jack Drury, Arthur Makepace and Bert Jefferies
At work in the silver shop at Leah’s Yard. Edwin Speight, foreground, Jack Drury, Arthur Makepace and Bert Jefferies

Mr Drury started as an apprentice in his father Jack’s silversmith business in 1959 and worked at the site until it was sold to property developers in 2000.

At its height more than 100 people worked there.

The mid-Victorian workshop complex was home to various silversmith and cutlery firms in earlier years.

Mr Drury remembered: “We had eight silversmiths and it was a hive of industry.

A spinning workshop, with the chucks used to make up various pieces on the wall. Jack Drury is working at the rear of the pictureA spinning workshop, with the chucks used to make up various pieces on the wall. Jack Drury is working at the rear of the picture
A spinning workshop, with the chucks used to make up various pieces on the wall. Jack Drury is working at the rear of the picture
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“We had to work 18 months in front because of the amount of orders for cutlery and silver – it was manic.

“The space wasn’t that big and with the compressors going it was very rowdy.

“We had belt-driven lathes and orders from all over the place.

“We had most of the building, three silversmithing shops including one that just did repairs, and other parts of the building were let out.”

A F Drury display at the NEC in Birmingham, early 1980s. Pictures courtesy of Philip DruryA F Drury display at the NEC in Birmingham, early 1980s. Pictures courtesy of Philip Drury
A F Drury display at the NEC in Birmingham, early 1980s. Pictures courtesy of Philip Drury
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Mr Drury, aged 73, added: “It’s very sad to see the state it’s in and how it’s deteriorated over the last 20 years.

“The work should have been done 20 years ago, it could have been superb.”

Engineers and developers who joined a tour of the site said any plans or work on the site would be subject to intense scrutiny from experts such as Historic England due to its Grade-II* status.