The 80th anniversary of two of the darkest nights in city’s history is set to be commemorated next month.
The Sheffield Blitz killed and wounded over 2,000 people in December 1940 and made nearly a tenth of the city’s population homeless. The devastating attacks changed the face of the city forever and flattened much of the city centre.
Sheffield Cathedral – the venue for the nine-hour long commemoration event – miraculously survived.
The event is set to include the screening of a rare Sheffield Blitz film; remembrance service; exhibition; World War Two reenactors and display of vintage military vehicles and memorabilia and the launch of the 10th anniversary edition of ‘Sheffield’s Date With Hitler’ – the book that was turned into BBC documentary ‘Sheffield – The Forgotten Blitz’.
The event is set to take place on Thursday 9th December, from 12 noon until 9pm, and is being organised by Sheffield Cathedral, the National Emergency Services Museum, Sheffield’s Date With Hitler author Neil Anderson and Richard Godley, project manager for Sheffield Blitz 75th.
Gary Clifton, major events manager at Sheffield City Council, said: “The Sheffield Blitz changed the face of the city in December 1940 and I think it’s important this anniversary is marked. Sheffield City Council are very pleased to give their support to this event.”
There was hardly an area of the city centre that escaped unscathed in the devastating raid that took place over two nights. Much of The Moor, High Street, Castle Market and the Devonshire Street area was destroyed along with great swathes of the suburbs.
Keith Farrow, Vice Dean at Sheffield Cathedral, said: “The purpose of the event is to inform people about those two dreadful nights in the history of Sheffield early in World War II and allows space for the people of Sheffield to come together to remember the incredible sacrifices that were made by the local population”.
The military vehicles will be on display from 12 noon until 6pm. The remembrance service will take place at 7pm.
Neil Anderson, author of ‘Sheffield’s Date With Hitler’ said: “Covid halted plans for our original planned event in December 2020 and we’re very grateful for the support of Sheffield City Council that has finally allowed this 80th commemoration event to happen – one year one.”
The event is free.