Moor the merrier

Flagship day in Sheffield today as the wonderful new markets were opened on the Moor, after being in Castle and Sheaf markets at the other end of town for many, many years.

A great bell tolled before the doors were opened, apparently a long held tradition for every market move, the last being 54 years ago!! One of the Granelli family did the honours with the bell and then everyone surged in.

And what a delight the building is. Light and airy and spacious and clearly laid out. Plenty of the familiar stalls from Castle Market, which only closed on Saturday, and a good smattering of interesting new independent traders.

There was a great happy buzz about the place and they have just said on the news that a record 25,000 people visited today!

We were proud to have been two of them!

I'll leave you with my photos . . .
and some memories in the history archive . . .
Long may it reign til the next bell tolls!!!

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garden glory

Before the weather sets in (and we did have a smattering of snow last night) I want to post my autumn pics from the garden taken just 2 weeks ago.  As you'll see, the pond was frozen, but it was a beautiful blue sky day

Glorious . . . .

Of night and light and the half light

Could you have resisted if you'd read this:

"Light Up the Hill" on Wednesday 13th November 2013 
At 5pm we will process from Upper Wincobank Chapel through the woodlands and then on up to the Iron Age Hillfort on Wincobank Hill where we will find Queen Cartimandua of the Brigantes facing one of the greatest dilemma in British history.  Does she hand the rebel leader Caratacus over to the Romans - or encourage her people to rise in rebellion against the invaders? The flames will leap and hammers clang on the anvil as the Iron Age smiths forge the chains to bind the hero.  

or this?

A magical family walk back in time up to the Iron Age Hill Fort, ancient seat of power and domination over the Don Valley.Meet King Caratacus, Queen Cartimandua of the Brigantes and the Romans. Find out how metal was worked in prehistoric times. See the magical trees at night and the glittering city lights.Starting and finishing at Upper Wincobank Chapel, Wincobank Avenue, S5 6BB. Refreshments served at Wincobank Chapel on return. Wrap up warm and bring a torch!

So off we all marched.
Candles in jars and flags strung in the dark among the trees to guide the way.

Drums beating our path.

Children with paper lanterns aloft.
Sheffield spread out gloriously below us on both sides of the ridge.

An almost full moon high in the sky and a still, dark November night

pipers and fires

paper lanterns

and trouble betwixt Brigantes and Romans at t'top

 tales to tell

memories to take home
Totally magical

Big thank you to Friends of Wincobank Hill

friends

A great renewing friendships from the days when we all worked so hard for the British Steel Corporation!!
Back in September Paul came over from Munich to visit and a fun time was had by all.

One of the days saw us visiting Kelham Island

and we found a secret new pub about to open . . .

then spotted the very spot on the Don where Paul had sailed by on a raft in one of the infamous Rag Boat Races back in the early 70s

time for that coffee and rhubarb and custard cake . . .

and a nostalitc wander around Sheffield

 then the evening meet up with the old Cybor gang - first stop the Kelham Island Tav

 final stop fab dinner at the Milestone

and if you're wondering what they all looked like back then - I'll try and do another post on life at Cybor House some time.

For now, I think this song it says it all!  Happy times.
Click below and enjoy: