George Barnsley's (Part 2), Sheffield, September 2017

HughieD · Sep 24, 2017

Here’s part two of the pictures from my recent trip round Sheffield’s George Barnsley’s or Cornish Works as it is also know. History in the first part HERE.

Part two consists of pictures from the upper two floors of GBs, starting with the legendary three-walled storage room.

img2903 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img2911 by HughieDW, on Flickr

The dodgy bridge between parts of the first floor is now, erm, impassable:

img2912 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Love the perspective in this shot:

img2917 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Cheeky no.1:

img2918 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Cheeky no.2:

img2919 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Bed of nails for a small rodent?

img2920 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img2923 by HughieDW, on Flickr

So much wood:

img2925 by HughieDW, on Flickr

It’s an open (invoice) book here:

img2928 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img2933 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img2930 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img2936 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img2945 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Up the stairs Mr:

img2946 by HughieDW, on Flickr

And on to the top floor:

img2968 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img2954 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Plenty to get to grips with here:

img2955 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img2958 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img2959 by HughieDW, on Flickr

That graff artist gets EVERYWHERE. Bit of a one-trick pony if you ask me:

img2962 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Now here’s something I missed last time around:

img2971 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img2973 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Cheeky no.3:

img2977 by HughieDW, on Flickr

and no.4:

img2978 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img2980 by HughieDW, on Flickr

And back down to the 1st floor again:

img2986 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img2987 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Peeling paint porn:

img2991 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img2993 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Last peek outside:

img2994 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img2995 by HughieDW, on Flickr

And outside for a few externals for good measure:

img3002bw by HughieDW, on Flickr

img3012 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img3006 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img3009 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img3003 by HughieDW, on Flickr

That’s all folks!

img3011 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Sam Haltin · Sep 25, 2017

That's a nice selection of photographs. I like your take on this. An eye for detail.

smiler · Sep 25, 2017

You cracked that Hugh, enjoyed it, Thanks

Dirus_Strictus · Sep 25, 2017

Another nice set Hughie. Your storage room in photo one was in fact the most important room in the factory - it was the sample room and contained multiple samples of EVERY blade, knife, tool and handle that the firm ever manufactured. In the early '60's, me and a mate were making and selling archery equipment for the increasingly popular sport of field archery - this included leather quivers, arm and finger protection. The tools I used originally for the leather goods had been passed down through the family from one of Dad's great-great-uncles, who had been a skilled boot and shoe maker and were stamped with the Barnsley name and address.( It must be remembered that in this age of the Stanley knife and blade, very small differences in blade shape made all the difference to how the blade 'worked' and each skilled worker had his own preferences - hence the many different shapes, cutting edge to handle angle and sizes found in these hand tools ) Some of the paring knives were well worn and nigh on useless and I was very surprised to find out that not only were the firm still in business, but they could supply NOS items by return or 'come and collect if you want'. A time warp visit ensued - those buildings would have made a wonderful tribute to the skills of the Sheffield knife makers. Pity it was all thrown away, I hope the old Gable Finial gets saved !

HughieD · Sep 26, 2017

Hugh Jorgan said:
That's a nice selection of photographs. I like your take on this. An eye for detail.

Cheers mate. A second visit really helped here as there's so much to see.

smiler said:
You cracked that Hugh, enjoyed it, Thanks

Ha ha..cheers Smiler.

Dirus_Strictus said:
Another nice set Hughie. Your storage room in photo one was in fact the most important room in the factory - it was the sample room and contained multiple samples of EVERY blade, knife, tool and handle that the firm ever manufactured. In the early '60's, me and a mate were making and selling archery equipment for the increasingly popular sport of field archery - this included leather quivers, arm and finger protection. The tools I used originally for the leather goods had been passed down through the family from one of Dad's great-great-uncles, who had been a skilled boot and shoe maker and were stamped with the Barnsley name and address.( It must be remembered that in this age of the Stanley knife and blade, very small differences in blade shape made all the difference to how the blade 'worked' and each skilled worker had his own preferences - hence the many different shapes, cutting edge to handle angle and sizes found in these hand tools ) Some of the paring knives were well worn and nigh on useless and I was very surprised to find out that not only were the firm still in business, but they could supply NOS items by return or 'come and collect if you want'. A time warp visit ensued - those buildings would have made a wonderful tribute to the skills of the Sheffield knife makers. Pity it was all thrown away, I hope the old Gable Finial gets saved !

That's a lovely story Dirus. Thank you for sharing that.

Yorky · Sep 27, 2017

Loved looking at both your reports on George Barnsley's..some great shots. Thanks for sharing.

krela · Sep 27, 2017

Beautiful photos!

Mikeymutt · Sep 27, 2017

yrs both your reports of here hughie.its a beautiful place that I will always be pleased that I have seen it twice.shame it is going downhill sadly after sitting there so long virtually untouched