Steelmaking in Rotherham at it’s peak
Back in 2010, and as part of the Rotherham Steelos Songs of Steel project I had the great pleasure of working camera on an interview with Ted Thompson, a former Rotherham steelworker, who was then in his 1990s and living alone in Rotherham. jon rosling
It was one of the most fascinating interviews I’ve ever watched and I could’ve sat and listened to Ted recall his childhood and working life long into the night.
He recalled his school days with such incredible clarity, describing places in Rotherham that I could recognise (though only just recognise for the town – and the world – has moved on) and remember even his first day as a Rotherham steelworker in the early 1930s, still a boy and barely out of short trousers.
I found out last week that Ted passed away recently and I was touched by a genuine sadness, both at this elderly gentleman’s end and at the loss of memory and history that he takes with him.
The town where I lived, that has such a rich, varied and interesting past, and how that place used to be dies a little more as the generations blink out and fade into memory themselves.
RIP Mr Thompson. It was a pleasure to have met and talked with you. jon rosling
Thank you so much for this lovely comment. I’ve only just read this comment but I enjoyed seeing my grandad posthumously in this video as did his great grandson. He was a great part of my life especially growing up in Rotherham before the collapse of industry.
Hi Gill, I’m so pleased you’ve found the interview. The link on my blog post didn’t seem to work but I have restored it so you can view the video on the actual blog post now. Your grandad was actually interviewed by another former Rotherham steelworker, my dad, and I can still recall the interview all of these years later. The clarity with which he spoke of the past was so engaging I could’ve listened to him all day. A lovely man. I hope this has been a lovely memory for you.
P.S – I did check to see if I had the full, uneditted footage (called “rushes”) to send but sadly not anymore. 🙁