Parkgate Iron and Steel Co., Rotherham (1901)

[MangoZapp]

Yes... a roughness and a v sign... is it me or does this presenter come across as more than a little patronising?

That little scuffle's a gem, looks like boxing might have been as popular in Sheffield then as it is today by the twinkle of that cap snatcher's toes. Can't help but wonder if our King's College historian here might be underestimating the lengths a couple of Northerners might go to to get their fancy footwork on film? What's a slap or two to these lads?

[gahctep]

Probably working a fourteen hour day,

six days a week, on a couple of slices

of bread and dripping, no wonder

they are angry.

[Anangasnake]

Not nice to think that many of those young lads probably signed up for the army a few years later and served in the trenches of WW1. I bet a lot of them never came back. God Bless x

[mrmagicroundcircle]

fascinating footage would be interesting to find out if any of these characters are still alive and what they may of thought of the film

[chanctonbury63]

@mrmagicroundcircle Far as I can see the youngest on the film (0.30) are maybe 4 so they would now be 114...

[mrmagicroundcircle]

@chanctonbury63 7 people in uk have reached the age 114 and one person has reached 115 so its not impossible

[chanctonbury63]

@mrmagicroundcircle Its not impossible, however I doubt they would remember very much tho`!

[farmerne]

Has anyone noticed in these old films how there are few if any obese or even obviously overweight people? Compared a typical scene that would be filmed today? Did they just eat less than we do, or work harder physically? Was it bad health that caused it?

[weldon0m]

@farmerne good spotting friend....very observant of you....your right

[dchris1990]

everyone looks so happy!

also...noones fat...and very few old people!

[chanctonbury63]

@dchris1990 Old is a relative term. Probably for working people like these, making it to 60 might have been quite an achievement!

[chanctonbury63]

@dchris1990 Thats because they were dead.

[traceydw]

This is fascinating. I think my 3x great-grandfather worked there between about 1837 and 1843. I'm sure it had changed quite a bit over the 60 years until this film was taken but, nonetheless, it's great to have a bit of a glimpse of the site and the people. Thanks very much!

[goinghomesomeday1]

A Two Fingered salute @1:02.

[greenisland75]

Could have picked a nicer part of Rotherham to film. Not sure why they filmed a load of teenage boys queing up for the toilets!

[mrmagicroundcircle]

@greenisland75 snob

[owtatowttowt]

I just love this it is af avourite o' mine, sae t'is. especially tho'n loon what gies 'e V.(gien it '' oy! me, me!''). wow! they had such amazing lives and lived. wow!!!!!!!!

[owtatowttowt]

love this.

[relyanddefy]

come and take you on, LOL bint

[CaptainKinetoscope]

What is the profession of the two gentleman walking with canes on the sidewalk from 0:24-0:30? I'm not from England and am most curious since no one else is dressed like that in the video.

[kutarc]

They're Policemen I reckon, I think our Police uniform looked like that at the turn of the 20th Centruy. The grander of the two being the sargeant. (Three stripes on his right forearm). It's a shame that the site that used to occupy Parkgate Iron and Steel is now another crappy retail park, (like most of the former steelworks in Sheffield and Rotherham.)

[rgwholt]

@kutarc .They are not policemen...the uniform is wrong and the stripes are the wrong way up for sergeants stripes and placed on the cuff which is wrong as well. They are both carrying walking sticks so i am assuming that they are watchmen of some kind employed by the firm...but like you i am intrigued.

[gzmg361]

@rgwholt

 The Iron and Steel works employed and paid for private police before and after the local police force was introduced. This is probably who they are. These days the works would employ security guards.

[rgwholt]

@gzmg361 yes i reckon you are right,

[Bud1UK]

I beleive they are policemen.

[jokerjack5]

mi dad and mi grandad have worked there!!

[Rentaghost76]

Haha, that bloke at 1:10 thinks he's well hard!

I want to get in my time machine and go back and fight him...do you think he'd batter me?

[coppersmiths]

No - he's a Yorkshireman. He'll just bore you to death.

[FaerieCrone]

See? Even kids had to go to work in those days!

[elghian]

Very interesting as my grandfather worked here for many years and during the time this film was made. I have lived in Australia for the past 50 years.,but still remember many of the stories he told me of working at Parkgate.

[FranticLes]

A poignant reminder of what was once a flourishing industry in Parkgate, ....

All but gone now!

[Fronika]

All those people and not one of them fat.

[schwiggys]

@Fronika

they couldn't afford food. flat caps don't come cheap you know

[wks1978]

@Fronika You ought to look at 18th century portraits if you want to see pre 20th century fat people.

[Mounhas]

Brilliant historic film of how it once was, now, should such employment exist, 90% no doubt would be driving cars instead of walking. BTW the abusive v-sign is done fingers in front of the palm,, v for victory is palm in front...

[ATOMICFLYER1663]

Great film. Some of my fellow Yanks may be surprised to learn that that the young tough flashing his bow fingers is equivalent to our middle finger salute.

[BSNFabricating]

Yeah, that guy just looked like he wanted a fight...it looked like he was saying something too...and I'm guessing he wasn't inviting the cameraman over for dinner...

[visor109]

I should have been a hat salesman in the early 20th Century! I'd make a bundle!!

[MasterJeston]

this is true

[microsoft57]

Simply BRILLIANT.

[selection79]

a time when everyone had a hat/cap...seemed to be a fascination with hats in those days....

[Wolverhampton1]

A time when adults were adults and kids did as they were told!

[twoslices]

I wonder if the young man was reprimanded for giving a V sign to the camera.

[spxl]

I wonder if the filmographer(s) got a black eye.

[katievhoneychurch]

amazing.

[SteffanLlwyd]

priceless...