1. The History
George Barnsley and sons were England's premier makers of forge filing and cutting tools for leather workers and shoe makers The company was founded in 1836 and was initially based on Wheeldon Street. Records show they moved to Cornhill in 1847 and then on to Cornish Place, on the River Don, just three years later. By this time they had expanded their product range to include steel files and butchers knives. George Barnsley was Master Cutler in 1883.
The company grew throughout the 19th century and the Barnsley family were well thought of in the Steel city. Their 1944 listing identified them as manufactures of files and blades, shoe knives and leather workers tools. Four years later they became a Ltd company. George Barnsley died at his home at No. 30 Collegiate Crescent on 30th March 1958 where he lived with wife Mabel and mother-in-law Elizabeth.
Sadly the factory became outdated and the inefficient production meant that the company could not keep pace with a competitive import market. With the costs of production growing George Barnsley's closed its doors in 2003. The site has sat derelict and unused ever since, although the site is now on the market and up for redevelopment.
2. The Explore
Can’t believe it’s taken me so long to get back round this place (nearly two years). One visit is not enough so on a lovely sunny September morning me and two non-members, J-Ruff and San-Fan, headed off to explore the place. Entry was via the usual route. Not particularly demanding but a bit round the houses. Initially we thought we weren’t going to be able to get in when we saw workman in the nearby Wharncliffe Works that adjoins but fortunately they were in a different yard to the one we had to scurry across.
I’d heard that the place had been getting a bit of a beating of recent. This is true in that some crap graff has appeared, some of the artefacts have now gone (the Brut aftershave bottle, the Typhoo Tea box and the teapot). Some knob-head has also smashed the “Office Enquiries. Ring” glass too. That said, the place still has its charms and is still very much worth a visit. It remains one of the best places I’ve ever explored. It was really good going back for a revisit as I spotted quite a few things that I didn’t see first time around.
3. The Pictures
Off the hook again!
img2823 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img2825 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img2826 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Old winching technology:
img2831 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Where’s the old Brut aftershave bottle gone?
img2832 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img2835 by HughieDW, on Flickr
A bit of new graff:
img2838 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img2840 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img2841 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img2842 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img2843 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img2845 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img2847 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img2851 by HughieDW, on Flickr
More fresh Graff
img2852 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img2856 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Old grinding stones:
img2868 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img2862 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img2863 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img2881 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img2873 by HughieDW, on Flickr
That staircase:
img2877 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img2880 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img2882 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img2886 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img2887 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img2889 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img2890 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img2891 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img2900 by HughieDW, on Flickr
OK – that’s it for now. Part 2 coming soon!
George Barnsley and sons were England's premier makers of forge filing and cutting tools for leather workers and shoe makers The company was founded in 1836 and was initially based on Wheeldon Street. Records show they moved to Cornhill in 1847 and then on to Cornish Place, on the River Don, just three years later. By this time they had expanded their product range to include steel files and butchers knives. George Barnsley was Master Cutler in 1883.
The company grew throughout the 19th century and the Barnsley family were well thought of in the Steel city. Their 1944 listing identified them as manufactures of files and blades, shoe knives and leather workers tools. Four years later they became a Ltd company. George Barnsley died at his home at No. 30 Collegiate Crescent on 30th March 1958 where he lived with wife Mabel and mother-in-law Elizabeth.
Sadly the factory became outdated and the inefficient production meant that the company could not keep pace with a competitive import market. With the costs of production growing George Barnsley's closed its doors in 2003. The site has sat derelict and unused ever since, although the site is now on the market and up for redevelopment.
2. The Explore
Can’t believe it’s taken me so long to get back round this place (nearly two years). One visit is not enough so on a lovely sunny September morning me and two non-members, J-Ruff and San-Fan, headed off to explore the place. Entry was via the usual route. Not particularly demanding but a bit round the houses. Initially we thought we weren’t going to be able to get in when we saw workman in the nearby Wharncliffe Works that adjoins but fortunately they were in a different yard to the one we had to scurry across.
I’d heard that the place had been getting a bit of a beating of recent. This is true in that some crap graff has appeared, some of the artefacts have now gone (the Brut aftershave bottle, the Typhoo Tea box and the teapot). Some knob-head has also smashed the “Office Enquiries. Ring” glass too. That said, the place still has its charms and is still very much worth a visit. It remains one of the best places I’ve ever explored. It was really good going back for a revisit as I spotted quite a few things that I didn’t see first time around.
3. The Pictures
Off the hook again!
Old winching technology:
Where’s the old Brut aftershave bottle gone?
A bit of new graff:
More fresh Graff
Old grinding stones:
That staircase:
OK – that’s it for now. Part 2 coming soon!
Barnsley's and Sons was always one of my favourites in Sheff.
