Sheffield has long been recognised for its iconic steel industry and its vital role in the war effort during both World Wars.
During World Wars I and II, whilst the men of Sheffield fought for their country, thousands of women were conscripted into the steel factories of Sheffield. The women, often in their twenties, left behind their normal lives of running homes and raising children in order to contribute to the war effort and keep the factories running.
In the noisy, challenging and often dangerous surroundings the young women worked tirelessly under the …

2013 marks the centenary of Harry Brearley’s invention of Stainless Steel. This development revolutionised the modern world, and put Sheffield on the map as the “Great Industrial Powerhouse”.
Sheffield is famous around the world for its contributions to the steel industry, and now celebrates by hosting a series of events to mark the anniversary.
Exhibitions and events confirmed as part of the 100 Years of Stainless Steel programme so far include:

Designed to Shine exhibition, the Millennium Gallery, 16 Februray-13 October 2013
Rustless- The Harry Brearley Story, Kelham Island …

Former steel worker Steve Medhi is to submit plans for a forty metre ‘Man of Steel’ sculpture to be built, overlooking the city of Sheffield. The piece is planned for a former landfill site near to the M1 Motorway and Meadowhall Shopping Centre, close to where the Tinsley Towers used to stand. This ambitious proposal is for the first of three giant sculptures which could stretch across the Don Valley. It is hopeful that this sculpture (which is twice the height of the Angel of the North in Gateshead) will …

A college dedicated to specialist technical industries is to open its doors in Sheffield in 2013. The Sheffield University Technical College (UTC) will offer teenagers specialised learning within the engineering and digital sectors.
The government funded college, which will be supported by the city’s businesses and universities, will specialise in advanced engineering and materials, as well as the creative and digital industries. It will educate students with a specialist trade, alongside GCSE’s including maths and English. It is due to open in September 2013, with up to 600 places available to …

The Sheffield Steel industry is famous around the world, with its factories being vital to Britain’s wartime success. During both World Wars, women were drafted in to keep the steel works running, doing jobs which had previously been carried out by men. When the men of Sheffield were called up to fight it fell to the women of the city to keep the steel mills working, with thousands balancing family life with working in heavy industry. The work they undertook was both back breaking and dangerous, and many women risked …

The inventor of Stainless Steel, Harry Brearley was born in Sheffield in 1871. He was the son of a steel melter, and left school at the age of twelve to begin work in a laboratory washing bottles. In his own time he undertook private study and attended night school, becoming an expert in the analysis of steel and its production. After establishing a reputation for solving metallurgical problems, Brearley was given an opportunity to set up the Brown Firth Laboratories in 1908. This was financed by two leading Sheffield steel …

Sheffield, named after the River Sheaf which runs through the city, was described as the “Great Industrial Powerhouse”. It became well known for its heavy steel and cutlery industries, with the earliest records dating back to 1297 when a tax return belonging to Robert the Cutler was filed.
Sheffield’s natural assets meant it was ideally suited to this type of industry. The valleys with streams gave access to water power, the crags provided grit stone for producing grinding wheels, and the availability of iron ore provided the basic raw material.
From its …

As one of the few UK manufacturers, Platts & Nisbett has always put quality at the forefront of everything we do. We are hopeful that the recent feature on the BBC will help to raise awareness, and highlight problems at procurement level within some NHS Trusts. We strongly believe that all manufacturers and suppliers of this type of equipment should be subject to quality checks – not just of paperwork but of the instruments themselves. Without mandatory inspections how can patient safety be properly protected?
If you are responsible for the …