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Little Mester Street, Kelham Island Industrial Museum
© Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust
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What now for Sheffield’s Little Mesters? |
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The modern ‘Little Mester’
Today the majority of local people are no longer employed in the heavy or light trades, and a long era of history is coming to a close. A few of the remaining Little Mesters in Sheffield can be found at Kelham Island Museum, run by Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust. The Little Mesters work in their small workshops producing specialist tools and equipment. Until recently there were three Little Mesters in residence at Kelham Island Museum. Peter Goss, surgical instrument forger, Mick Tyler, grinder and the recently retired Ken Ladley, a dental and surgical equipment manufacturer. Peter and Mick can be seen working at the museum providing visitors with the opportunity to view the processes and skills involved in their work.
The skills that Peter and Mick possess are gained through years of experience and are not easily taught to others. Peter is now the last remaining hand forger in the country, not just in Sheffield. His skills and craftsmanship are unique and it is a matter of concern at Kelham Island Museum as to how to preserve and record these processes. A DVD is currently being produced by Zoe Rick and Paul Hemmingfield to provide the museum with a catalogued video record of the Little Mesters at work. This will be a valuable record for the Trust’s archive, and also for visitor viewing.
Although these skills may not seem important in today’s work environment they represent a very specialised period in Sheffield’s industrial past.
The Trust feels that it would be encouraging to see apprenticeships following in these traditions but has not, as yet, found a viable approach to instigate this. The majority of visitors to Kelham Island Museum take great interest in the Little Mesters and enjoy seeing a bit of living history. In the rapidly expanding market for the unusual and specialised, perhaps the Little Mesters will return?
Words: Emma Green and Natalie Murray
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