Over the past 40 years, local historian Peter Machan has interviewed many Sheffield craftspeople and researched the local traditional trades.  This illustrated talk on The Little Mesters, The Rise, Decline and Survival of Sheffield’s Traditional Trades tells the story of the development of the Sheffield trades; cutlery and pocketknives, silver smiths and file-makers. It also explores five city centre trails featuring the 30 or so surviving listed buildings associated with the trades and firms as well as the craftspeople who are keeping the tradition alive today. 

Books are on sale at the event. They are available from the shop in the Millennium Gallery and also online from La Biblioteka – Off the Shelf 2023 book store