Shirle Hill is one of the many grand houses built in Nether Edge in the 1800’s. It has a varied and fascinating history and been inhabited by a cast of colourful characters as well as a home and shelter for so many people.
What will you be able to do? There will be delicious cakes and drinks, music, children’s craft activities and garden games (practice your quoits), You can help Esther, the washerwoman of 1871, get through washday with the tub, posser and wringer.
You will be able to chat with people portraying some of these characters and hear about life at Shirle Hill through the centuries. You will encounter Mr. Brown, steel manufacturer, founder of Atlas Works, Master Cutler and twice Mayor of Sheffield. He was visited by Lord Palmerston, the Prime Minister in 1862.
Meet William and Martha Bragge. Mr. Bragge became manager of Atlas Works and had previously worked in Brazil. He filled Shirle Hill with his quirky collection of artefacts and books. He and Martha also enjoyed a visit from the Emperor and Empress of Brazil, who were much impressed by the order and beauty of the house.
You could talk with Mr. Septimus Ward, of the famous Ward’s Brewery who moved in with his family in 1896.
Encounter some of the Belgian refugees who were given shelter here for the duration of the First World War.
Learn about having your tonsils out from when Shirle Hill was an NHS tonsillectomy centre in the 1950’s.
Meet some of the teachers and therapist of the later NHS mental health facility and school for children.
Finally, share the stories of the current residents, who set up Shirle Hill Cohousing in 2013 and created 5 flats and 5 houses.
