The Hallamshire House pub in Commonside has just been reunited with a long-lost sign last seen in the late 90’s.
It’s a fascinating story of how it happened, although how it disappeared in the first place is still a complete mystery.The pub was contacted by a couple from Leeds who were offering to return one of their old pub signs.
Landlord Doug Simpson was obviously intrigued, if somewhat baffled by the call, and keen to know more.
Apparently, the couple had lived in Brooklyn for many years, and around 25 years ago had visited a neighbour’s apartment where they were amazed to find the sign hanging on the wall.They instantly recognised the sign from their days as University Students in Sheffield in the late 1970’s.
The neighbour had bought it for a friend, as a wedding gift, but the wife didn’t like it, so he ended up getting it back! When the couple returned to Leeds in 2009, the neighbours kindly gave them the sign, where it sat for the next 17 years, leaning against a wall due to the weight!
After a recent house move, they decided the sign should return to its rightful home, and a call was made to the pub to see if they wanted it back.Doug jumped at the chance, and when the couple said they didn’t want anything for it, but would like a donation to charity, Thornbridge Brewery readily agreed and Sheffield Children’s Hospital was the happy recipient.
The sign is now on display in the pub, proudly hung over the fireplace in the back room.Of course, the question of how it got to New York in the first place is still unresolved so if anyone knows anything about it, The Hallamshire would be keen to talk to you.
