Celebrating Sheffield

A celebration of Sheffield's rich heritage and identity - its special events, achievements, people, industry and landmarks.

One of the early centres at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution, Sheffield has grown from a small town nestled by the walls of Sheffield Castle to become one of the largest cities in the UK, absorbing villages and countryside from the 19th century and stretching out into adjacent counties. Sheffield may best be known for its Steel industry, World Championship Snooker and home to modern celebrities such as Michael Palin, Seb Coe, Jessica Ennis-Hill and the Human League but there is much more to celebrate, from its landscape at the edge of the Pennines and the home of some of earliest guardians of British countryside to its industrial past based around its mining and steel industries. It is a city of scientific innovation, sport, food and drink and the arts. Mary Rawson and the Sheffield anti-slavery group were instrumental in the abolition of slavery in the 19th century and in 1857 the world’s oldest football club, Sheffield FC, was founded. The city is famous for the production of cutlery, as well as Bassett’s Licorice Allsorts, Thornton’s chocolates and Henderson’s Relish and the emerging new city today boasts of a growing tourism and a ‘European-style’ street culture.Celebrating Sheffield chronicles the proud history of Sheffield. Illustrated throughout, its positive insight into Sheffield’s rich heritage, its special events and important moments will be a valuable contribution to the history of the city and provide a source of many memories to those who have known it well over the years.