Sheffield: pictures for Ricardo

Much truth there, Wildebeeste. I also happen to believe that the presence of hills can add to a place’s allure. They add interest and character and help to neatly sub-divide larger places into smaller communities. I've lived in Preston (Lancs not Paignton: I have my standards) and Taunton. Flat and dull, I'm afraid.

Interested to see Sheffield and Bristol mentioned in the same sentence because I’ve always seen plenty of similarities between the two cities. That may, of course, surprise a few people. I absolutely love Bristol and got to know it well during my time in Taunton. But I understand how it can be seen as over-hyped, expensive and, in places, disappointing. By contrast, if you’ve pre-conceived ideas about Sheffield, you’re more than likely to be pleasantly surprised.



Such differences can be found within every city but I always sense that, in Sheffield, there is a particularly strong demarcation between one half of the city and the other. Indeed there may be one or two people on this forum who drove straight to the Don Valley Stadium for the end-of-season game against Rotherham and home again afterwards. They had a few tales to tell from that day and must be wondering what we’re on about.

I'd forgotten that Woodseats was such a "semi-independent township" until I travelled over to Chesterfield last week. Hillsborough? Ah, that's a visit to the dentist for me....

As for Plymouth, I’d suggest a grand tour for Mr and Mrs Wildebeeste taking in the obvious places such as the city centre, the Hoe and Barbican but also Devonport, some of the Victorian middle-class suburbs and the post-war estates beyond the A38 Parkway. You’ll see many comparisons with large urban areas throughout the country and it’s a brilliant illustration of how our cities experienced the last century. Plymouth, too, has hills and probably has more spark than Derby or Coventry. But maybe not the other places you mention.

Lastly, as a teenager, I was intrigued by the contrast between Torquay and Sheffield. This was because it was my first time away from home and, well, I was studying geography, social history and politics. I can still see that contrast: Sheffield is everything Torquay isn’t and visa versa. That works well for me. But look closer and you can see similarities: large mansions on the hills for the wealthy (who were colonising Ranmoor around the same time as the Lincombes); terraced housing in the valleys; lots of Victoriana; housing estates on the periphery. The scale – and emphasis – is not quite the same but the hills are just as bloody steep and you can often see the moors.

And, even though you can’t see Brixham, I’d say the Endcliffe Park cafe is a fair swap for the one at Meadfoot Beach. Don’t forget to visit , Mr Wildebeeste.

Might be down to one Northern correspondent again before too long, Joe.



No point in hanging around in Chesterfield now that Tony Benn has gone!

Many thanks to Dave for defending my honour. However solicitors have been instructed and a writ will soon be on its way to the Duchy. Provided we can find Joe of course. Nor is it any good him claiming immunity under ancient Stannary law.


Old Tony was member for Bristol SE which – if it’s where I think it was (not too far away from Kingswood) – is hardly Clifton and has an engineering and mining heritage. Maybe moving to Chesterfield wasn’t so different after all?



Joe will be pleased to learn that, just along the road from Malin Bridge, I have developed an affection for the Rivelin Park cafe which has rather more of a Hillsborough ambience than its Endcliffe Park equivalent. I also passed through Malin Bridge on my epic hike on Sunday following the Stuart B Heritage Trail up the Loxley valley through the Bradfields and on to the moors above the reservoir at Strines. Unfortunately I misjudged the schedule and found myself walking a long lane in darkness. It proved an lengthy march until I reached the street lights of Stannington.



Very kind of you to say that, Dave, I just hope you don’t regret encouraging me after another two thousand pictures. I'll offer one more for the moment. It's a view from close to where I'm living. Houses and moors just like that wonderful view from the top of Quinta Road in Torquay which I've often paused to admire:

I didn't know Rab C Nesbitt was a Spireite.

Duelling Banjos springs to mind

My apologies to your lad. It's the vest!

Does he read the forum? Dare I set foot in Nether Edge?