The Cutlers - The Company Today

On February 15 an Open Day is being held at the Church Street Hall. Members of the public will have access to this magnificent building which is steeped in the history of Sheffield and the region.  The date has been set for the half term week so that children can also take advantage of the day. 

The event, which is free of charge, runs from 10am to 4.30pm and staff will be on hand to answer questions. Wheelchair access will be arranged.  Refreshments will also be available in a café, established for the day. 

The Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire was established by an Act of Parliament in 1624 to oversee the production of cutlery in the area.  The Company has adapted to the changing world and now promotes and supports manufacturing in the Region. 

There has been a Cutlers’ Hall on the present site since 1638.  The current Hall was built in 1832 at a total cost of £8,066.  It was then extended in the 1880’s.  It has long been used for events and activities.  Many people living in South Yorkshire today have attended lunches, dinners and dances there as well as business meetings and even exam sessions, but this is the first Heritage Day.

Master Cutler, Pam Liversidge, said: “The Cutlers’ Hall is a very important part of the city’s heritage yet there are people who have lived here all their lives and have never visited it. Sadly, there are some who do not even know of its existence. Now we hope to change that and encourage everyone to take pride in the history of Sheffield.”

There are some unique features as well as the great architecture.  The panelling and lights on the first floor are similar to those on the Titanic because they came from her sister ship the RMS Olympic.  The overmantel in the Master’s room dates from the 17^th century as do the table and chests.  In addition, in the Master’s room, all the Past Masters since 1624 are listed and there are photographs of those for the last 70 years. 

As you would expect, there is cutlery on display but the Hall also houses a wonderful silver collection of some 900 items and this is added to annually with a year piece which is always hallmarked in Sheffield. 

Some of this silver can be viewed in the Muniment room which also houses the Norfolk Knife - a work of art made for the Great Exhibition of 1851 and designed to display the cutlers’ skills available in this region.  In the same room the ‘Brearley Knives’ are also on display.  They are examples of the first stainless steel cutlery ever made, including one of Harry Brearley’s very early knives – a kitchen knife on a file handle. 

For further details please contact the Cutlers’ Hall on 0114 272 8456

Speaking of her visit, The Master Cutler said: “I was impressed by what I saw at Brinsworth. As this Region attracts more investment, our requirement for apprentices of the sort I saw today will grow. We must continue to focus providing the right skills for the future and I commend Brinsworth for their very effective approach”.

Brinsworth Training Business Development Director Paul Reeves said “We are delighted that The Master was able to allow us time from her hectic schedule and was able to see so many young people that are being given an opportunity to begin their careers in the engineering industry by working through our apprenticeship programme.”

During her visit, The Master Cutler accompanied by Consort Doug Liversidge CBE met a number of learners who are developing the crucial skills that Pamela herself used during her career as a Chartered Mechanical Engineer, including meeting the latest batch of female learners that have recently taken roles the engineering sector.