Story by Rob Smith
Dorothy Howitt was born in Fitzwilliam Street in 1923, and her sister Mary in Lopham Street in 1930. Both were educated at Pitsmoor Church of England School. After leaving school, the sisters learned hairdressing and worked together.
In 1955 they took on two shops, 64 and 66 Earsham Street. “To begin with we had a grocery store at number 64 that sold almost everything,” explains Mary. “Unknown to us, our Grandfather had the same shop before us.”
“Mary bought a poodle and trimmed and groomed it herself,” explained Dorothy. “People began making inquiries and that led us to open ‘The Poodle Parlour’.” In 1977 Dorothy retired and Mary worked at the Petre Street Cash & Carry where she stayed until it closed, seventeen years later.
Burnbank TARA
Since 1983 both sisters have been involved in Burnbank Tenants’ and Residents’ Association (TARA). “We had our 21st birthday on 14th December last year,” adds Dorothy. I was astonished to hear the group had been meeting for over 20 years.
I visited the group’s bingo night and met other members. “I’ve been coming here for donkey’s years,” explains Margaret Emson, “I love it to bits.” Betty Bramall from Lopham Street believes the TARA helps her get out of the house.
“Oh yeah,” agreed Seymour Stewart, sitting in the corner, ready to play his weekly game. “I’ve been coming a good while now. I always enjoy the company of these mature ladies.” Harry Walton, an ex-Burngreave resident, travels across town to be amidst his old friends. “We owe a lot to Mary and Dorothy,” he told me. “We’ve been everywhere together,” explains Grace Brown. “It’s very sociable and Mary and Dorothy try their best in here,” adds Margaret Morland from Bressingham.
The Centre is a large space, but doesn’t contain much in the way of modern furnishings or decor. I could see that Mary and Dorothy are lynchpins in our community, sustaining this weekly activity for the almost forgotten older members of our community.
I enquired what sort of funding they receive. “The Council collect a weekly levy of 10p from everyone’s rent in our area. That works out at around £5 per person per year,” explained Mary, “But recently the Council stopped it. They said we don’t meet the criteria from the new Sheffield Homes department.”
“We’ll be holding our AGM on 29th March at Verdon Recreation Centre,” says Dorothy, “We should be able to resolve this issue and be paid back.”