across the universe

Not strictly across the universe, just across the city - but a good excuse for a great song - and a great view from Meersbrook Park a couple of Sundays ago on May Day.

An outing to see the Walled Garden in the corner of Meersbrook Park - which turned out to be amazing

Then evening found us wrapped up in coats, hats, scarves and gloves in the drafty but wonderful old Abbeydale Cinema for a packed house to watch West Side Story

so that was 'our day out' to herald May and great fun it was too

reel to reel

So, it's Saturday part II (if you missed Part I click here) - we're just walking from Paternoster Row towards our supper and discover the Porter Brook running alongside the old Matilda Tavern

and some fabulous graffitti on the corner of Arundel Street

as well as the fab old Challenge Works where saws and files were manufactured back in the day

 and our destination - the ever wonderful Street Food Chef

to fortify us for our Light Night trek from Shoreham Street to Bloc projects with the Magic Lantern and others

First off we passed the new 192 Shoreham Street, impressively blending old and new, and a RIBA regional award winner this year.

Then a right turn onto Mary Street where there are some amazing old works in different states of dereliciton and renovation.
A peek through the glass doors of Hawk Works revealed an amazing yard and some very interesting history here, including mention of an old water wheel

Bramhall Woodware Limited - long gone - on the site of the once Universe Works.  This Sheffield History website is fascinating - seems cultery was made here

following our leaders along Mary Street

loving all these cobbles . . .

old neglected works

 and derelict buildings

 then this sudden splash of colour

as we are surprised and delighted to cross the Porter Brook again

and finally arrive at the wonderful Bloc Projects for refreshment, film and art

and as we left, the sky over Sylvester Street was beautiful

It's been a brilliant walk in one of our favourite parts of hidden Sheffield - long may these buildings remain and be saved

And along Sidney Street on the way back

so much amazing graffitti to see - love this huge Charles Darwen

 

and so it was back along to Paternoster Row, full circle and a dip into the Showroom Cinema to see About Time - spotting the fabulous Jon Boden busking in it!

A pretty perfect sort of a day really!

detention

I rekindle my love affair with Sheffield every day!  And never more so than on Saturday when we wandered from one event to another in the last of the summer sun

but where was this mystery venue so early on a Saturday morning

and for detention no less

 . . . in the fabulously converted St Ann's School - now SUM studios

even had to do lines!!

before the showing of "The Breakfast Club" by the Magic Lantern Film Club

Then off for great lunch at Haggler's Corner, where a day long festival was just starting up

followed by a walk round town, taking in the Devonshire Green markets and down to Paternoster Row

 Park Hill gleaming in the sun - shortlisted for the upcoming RIBA Stiring Prize

and lo and behold, yet another event going on we'd missed!!!

but our day was still evolving . . .   This was after all the first ever Light Night Sheffield

Read on for the next episode by clicking here -  Saturday part II