Made in Sheffield

A Yorkshire Television documentary that focuses on how some typical residents are coping with having been made redundant on the Manor Estate of council housing in Sheffield in 1987. A variety of local people talk about their experiences and hopes; ranging from renovating a machine shop, trying to become a writer, to scavenging the derelict houses for anything of value. One housewife, tired of being stuck at home, gets involved in a women’s group and other local activities.

This is the third of a series of four themed programmes that were aired in August 1987, and later re-edited into a single shorter programme broadcast on Channel 4, this time naming those residents who are interviewed. The following year footballer Mel Sterland earned a cap for England, and after ten years with Sheffield Wednesday went on to play for Leeds United. The script for The Bird Fancier, by Mal Middleton, was broadcast on BBC in January 1985, starring Michael Elphick. Less is known of the other residents seen in the film, although ‘Troggy’ could still be seen on the Manor with his wheelbarrow in 2015. Between 1979 and 1983 Sheffield lost an average of 1000 jobs a month; 21,000 in the steel industry alone.