Why Sheffield?
Writing Challenge 2023
Posted by Chris Sissons on May 10, 2023
Writing Challenge ยป Chris Sissons
Now then, you could take this question two ways. Why does Sheffield exist? Why do I live here? The answer to the first question is very interesting and, who knows, maybe one day I’ll answer it. Today, I’ll have a go at the second.
The house in the photo is my house. I took it round the back, wheelie bins an’all. You’ll note the letter box in the back door. This is because in Sheffield you go round the back. The post person might have an easier job if the letter boxes were in the front and some of them are, just to keep them on their toes.
There is a reason for this. These were originally railway workers’ cottages, built around 1911. The end houses on the terrace are bigger and that’s where the foremen lived. The house on the right has a kitchen extension but my back room doubles as a kitchen.
The front door is known locally as the coffin door. This is because it opens directly into the front room. So, you use it only the last time you leave the house, feet first. You don’t want everybody trailing muck into the front room, which has a nice carpet. Of course, I’m unlikely to be laid out in my front room because I doubt anyone will want to visit my lifeless body. They’re not terribly fussed about seeing me while I display signs of life. Anyway, knowing my luck I’ll leave my house and be mowed down by a metaphorical or proverbial bus and so not have a chance to leave in the way of my dreams.
Any road, I’m supposed to explain why I live here, which is easier than explaining how I’ll die here. First up, I was born in Sheffield and so didn’t have any say in the matter. We lived at Hunters Bar, which is going on towards the wealthier side of the city. Although, it is wealthier now than it was then.
After 17 years, I moved north, at first to York and then the northeast. I was away for most of 17 years, with a break when I returned to Sheffield to study at the Urban Theology Unit for one year.
In 1989 I decided to return. There were several reasons for this. I had many friends in Sheffield and it seemed a livelier place than Middlesbrough, where I was living at the time. I wasn’t unhappy where I was, just thought the grass was greener in Sheffield. But in 1988 my mother died and I was concerned about my father on his own (he was stronger than I thought but I think appreciated having me closer.)
Why Pitsmoor and the coffin door? It was close to the Urban Theology Unit and at the time we had a walking distance community. Now UTU is in the city centre and most of the community has moved on. There’s still a few knocking around and we nod as we pass on the street and tell each other how bad the weather is. It doesn’t get too exciting and so you see, that’s why Sheffield.
This year's writing challenge, fueled by prompts, is about the City of Sheffield. Be surprised by what's included and even more surprised by what's left out. This is Post 5 and there are 21 altogether. Share your thoughts and your love for the City in the comments. The first Post 0 is Context: Sheffield. The last post 4 is Wind. The next post 6 is Death in Sheffield.
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