oldest

Historic chippy on Sharrow Vale Road gained its distinctive name from locals during World War One and continues to gather large queues all these years later

Sheffield boasts one of Britain’s oldest fish and chip shops, and potentially one of the world’s, with punters regularly forming queues stretching beyond its entrance.

Established in at least 1895, the chippy on Sharrow Vale Road remains amongst the original fish and chip establishments still operating today. Two Steps amusingly earned its moniker from locals during the First World War when, as multiple fish and chip outlets appeared in the vicinity, it stood out as the one requiring ‘two steps to get in’.

The informal name swiftly became its official title, distinguishing it from rival establishments. Historical records suggest it was initially opened by a gentleman called James Boulton, appearing in the 1895 trades directory as a ‘fried fish dealer’, according to The Star.

Throughout its history, the cherished establishment has passed through various owners, with Laggy currently at the helm, having served patrons for the past two decades. Before him, the longest-serving proprietors were Nan and Graham, who dedicated 34 years working behind the historic counter.

Upon assuming control of the chippy, he sought to implement several crucial modifications, prioritising the sourcing of premium ingredients. Despite evolving fashions in the fish and chip industry, he revealed to The Star that he categorically refuses to offer the notorious battered Mars Bar.

The owner explained: “It ruins the oil, and I don’t agree with it anyway. It’s a heart attack on a plate.”

One recent visitor described their visit as nothing short of “fabulous”. The satisfied customer wrote on TripAdvisor: “I travel a few miles to get to this chip shop. It has amazing staff, and the owner is fab. Will not swap this chip shop for any other.”

Another loyal customer shared: “Have to say this place is by far the best chippy in town! I’ve been a regular visitor on Fridays for almost 20 years, and this place is often busy, with the queue stretching out the door, even in the rain. Well priced, and they don’t skimp on portions. I can rarely actually finish my tea. Good mix of all your chippy favourites.”

Following their experience at the legendary establishment, one reviewer declared it “the best fish and chips by far”. They elaborated: “Very good quality, perfectly cooked and incredibly generous portion size. All items are competitively priced, and the staff service and management attitude in resolving any issues are impeccable.”

Pinpointing Britain’s definitively oldest fish and chip shop proves tricky, with several contenders competing for the accolade. Rock and Sole Plaice in Covent Garden, London, stakes its claim as opening in 1971, making it the capital’s most venerable chippie still dishing up its time-honoured recipes.

Meanwhile, another establishment literally rebranded itself as ‘The Oldest Fish and Chip Shop in the World’ on Sandy Way in Yeadon, West Yorkshire. Yet it shuttered permanently in 2016, potentially elevating this Sheffield favourite to the position of Britain’s longest-surviving fish and chip shop still trading today.

THE future of a historic pier and its record-holding railway remain in doubt as repairs and ownership questions drag out.

Hythe Pier in Hampshire is the UK’s seventh-longest of its kind but has been shut for more than a year, and has kept essential ferry services out of reach.

Located in Hampshire, the pier is a crucial stopping point for the Hythe Ferry, which ran regular services to Southampton before the closure.

The pier is also home to a historic ferry train which having opened in 1922 makes it the world’s oldest, a feat recognised by Guinness World Records.

Concerned residents have been searching for answers about when the pier would open and ferry services resume given that repair and electrical works seem to have concluded.

Services were suspended in August last year over health and safety concerns when damage was found underneath the landing pontoon.

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But the ferry service never resumed, and the pier was once again closed in autumn this year to carry out electrical work.

“Essential works to support the pier and ferry operations are progressing,” a spokesperson for the ferry company told the BBC.

When contacted by The Sun, the ferry’s spokesperson said algae on the pier needed to be cleared out before services could resume. However, cleaning could only occur once the weather had dried up for a period of time, so the algae was likely to be removed in spring.

This is a blow for locals who have waited months for answers about when they could expect the ferry to be up and running again.

What has made the situation more complicated is a change in ownership of the Hythe and Southampton Ferry Company.

Investment firm Njord Partners has taken over Red Funnel, which owned the ferry company, but it has not been made clear how this would impact services.

“We simply don’t know anything about whether the Hythe Ferry was included in the takeover, and as the tenant of the pier, it’s their responsibility to determine when it can reopen again – we’ve asked them and had no answer,” vice-chair of the parish council, Mark Clark, told the BBC.

A PR firm representing Red Funnel issued a statement on the matter saying there was work being done to find solutions for a “sustainable future.”

“We’re pleased to confirm that the owners of Hythe Pier recently completed critical electrical repairs,” read the statement to the BBC.

“This is an important step forwards but there is still work to be done.

“The ferry is a historic and much-loved service, and we are working hard behind the scenes, together with local partners, to find the right solution and secure a sustainable future”.

The pier is owned by local councillor Ashleigh Mutimear-MacMillan who said it was closed by the tenant – Southampton and Hythe Ferry Company – and she was considering getting the pier registered as a charity.

“Decisions about access, operation and reopening sit with the Hythe Ferry,” she wrote in a Facebook post.

“As the pier owner, I continue to engage with the tenant and have been working to resolve electrical issues affecting the pier and associated community facilities.”

Mutimear-MacMillan said her idea of switching the pier business to a charity was because “the only income to the pier is rental income, and the full annual income has already been spent on essential electrical works.”

“There are no further funds available at this time through the private limited company, which is why longer-term funding options are being considered,” she wrote.

This remarkable house has stayed standing through many major events, even surviving the Great Fire of London, despite huge areas of the city being destroyed, and attempts to have it demolished

London’s most intriguing landmarks often lie hidden in plain sight, tucked away down side streets. A prime example of this lies down the street of Cloth Fair.

This narrow road near Smithfield Market in the City of London, owes its name to its medieval past as a hub for merchants. Today, instead of bustling scenes of street trading, it’s mostly residential and offers a tranquil retreat from the city’s hustle and bustle.

Yet, one building stands out due to its historical significance. 41-42 Cloth Fair, built between 1597 and 1614, holds the distinction of being London’s oldest surviving house. But what truly sets this four-bedroom townhouse apart is its resilience through various tumultuous periods in history, including its survival of the Great Fire of London.

The Great Fire of London obliterated over 70,000 homes, leaving this townhouse amidst a sea of ruined properties. However, a tall brick wall encircling the property shielded it from the devastating flames, reports the Express.

But this wasn’t the first time the house had dodged disaster. During the Second English Civil War, when many city properties were razed, the house remained unscathed. Unfortunately, its builder, Henry Rich, wasn’t as fortunate. A Royalist, Rich was apprehended, tried, and ultimately beheaded within the grounds of the Palace of Westminster.

The property’s first occupant was William Chapman, who transformed the ground floor into an ale house. Over the centuries, the building has served various purposes, from a wool drapers to a tobacconist, and then a cutlery factory until the 1920s when it was sold.

Since then, it has functioned as a private dwelling and continues to be a home today. The 1920s nearly witnessed the demolition of 41-42 Cloth Fair. In 1929, there were proposals to raze the house along with numerous other historic buildings as part of a plan to improve sanitation in city housing.

Doubts were also raised about its structural integrity, and it was marked as dangerous. But remarkably, the house was spared from demolition and even survived the Blitz unscathed, while 1.7 million buildings across London were damaged and many historical landmarks were lost forever.

In 1995, new owners acquired the property, carried out extensive renovations, and won a City Heritage Award a few years later. One particularly noteworthy historical feature is a collection of signatures etched into the lead windows using a diamond pen.

These autographs belong to several high-profile individuals who have visited the house over the years, including Winston Churchill, the Queen Mother, John Betjeman, and J. B. Priestley.

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The house’s age, coupled with its location near a medieval priory, has even sparked rumours of skeletons entombed deep within its foundations.

Whether there’s any truth to these rumours or not, it seems these souls can rest undisturbed under the watchful protection of this seemingly indestructible house.

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Lim met Englishman Humphries in the first round of the 2021 World Championship and, on that occasion, Lim was a 3-2 winner.

The odds of a repeat are unlikely, given Humphries – who is 41 years younger than Lim – has gone on to have a spell of nearly two years as world number one and won multiple major titles, including the world crown in January 2024.

“If anything, I’m thankful for Paul winning that game because it changed me as a player and it changed me as a person,” Humphries said after beating Ted Evetts in round one.

“Three months later, I’d lost about four stones and I was in a major final [at the 2021 UK Open]. It helped my career.”

On those comments, Lim said: “To come across a champion who is as humble as him – when he said that, it was really a compliment to me. I’ve got nothing ever bad to say about Luke.

“With every defeat or every win, there is a spark somewhere – you’ve got to find it to spark you in the right direction. I can’t say that loss made him a world champion, but maybe it created that spark within himself to look at something differently and it turned out well for him.

“He is definitely a different Luke Humphries. He was good then, now he is great. It’s an honour to hear him calling me a legend.”

A church in a thriving UK city is the oldest surviving building that is still regularly used today, and it’s even part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside a nearby cathedral

England is home to some of the most architecturally fascinating buildings, from domed cathedrals and spire skyscrapers to grand castles and stately Georgian manors. But there’s one that is the oldest surviving structure in the country, and it’s certainly worth a visit.

In the heart of Canterbury lies the ancient Church of St Martin, built on Roman foundations, featuring Saxon elements in its windows and structure, as well as Norman and Medieval additions following its alterations. It’s the oldest church building in Britain that is still in use today, having been constructed before 597 AD. According to Heritage Calling, it is the oldest surviving building full stop in England.

The oldest part of the church was built during the Roman occupation of Britain, but it’s unknown what the first part of the structure was originally built for, or whether it was used as a church or a mausoleum. It was later expanded to almost its current grand size, with the largest part of the building, the nave, becoming the first Anglo-Saxon structure made of mortared brick and stone, rather than wood.

The Church of England parish church is also a part of the World Heritage Site, alongside Canterbury Cathedral and St Augustine’s Abbey, making it a standout attraction in the city. Since 1668, the historic building has been part of the benefice of St Martin and St Paul, Canterbury, with both churches used for weekly services.

Visitors far and wide have marvelled at the exposed wooden beams inside St Martin’s, along with the intricate stained glass windows, lengthy nave and wooden pews, that feel as though you’re stepping back in time. One admirer noted on TripAdvisor: “I visited early as the church opened, and I had a peaceful, excellent visit.

“Upon entry, I was greeted by a friendly employee who offered me a written guide of the church. The guide was easy to follow and had great, interesting information. The cemetery on the property was great for wandering and reading the graves as well!”

With the church steeped in history, the knowledgeable guides can help to make the visit so special, along with its undeniable beauty and charm. Another visitor shared: “Given to the 6th-century Frankish princes, this beautiful building has a wonderful history.

“Guides were present from 11 am and greatly helped appreciate the story behind the building and its lovely and slightly overgrown churchyard. Interesting people are buried there, too. Can look from this elevated spot down to its daughter Church – the Cathedral itself!”

Those buried in the grounds of St Martin’s include 19th-century evangelist William Cadman, artist Thomas Sidney Cooper, and the creator of Rupert Bear, the comic book character, Mary Tourtel. Others noted that visitors can also explore the grounds independently, allowing you to take your time.

Another fan commented on TripAdvisor: “The oldest church in mainland Britain, tucked quietly away, about 10 mins from the cathedral. Quiet and serene, maintaining the sense of a truly sacred space. There is a helper who will provide information or guide you, or you can explore independently. Not far from the Abbey, and worth the extra time.”

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