LOCAL HISTORY: UNEARTHED
An editorial contribution by…
In this new regular feature, local writer and researcher Steve Moxon delves into the lesser-known corners of our area’s history. In this week’s piece, he looks into...
STOCKSBRIDGE: JOHN STOCKS’ BRIDGE?
Stocksbridge is very unlikely to have got its name from the bridge at the bottom of Hunshelf bank, as usually assumed. Place-names are almost always ancient, whereas bridges are new or relatively so. Ours here is modern, built in 1812, long after the hamlet was already named on a map. The river hitherto was crossed by a ford, Chud Ford, that surely is what the area here would have been dubbed if it had taken after a river crossing.
Local historian Joseph Kenworthy is the one who proposed the appellation came from a John Stocks supposedly building the bridge. But the only record of him is a century before (1716). There was a prior series of washedaway wooden narrow footbridges, though being so transient and not the main crossing (as they couldn't take wagons, packhorses or droves of animals), each would have been too insignificant to warrant naming. It anyway wouldn’t have been from a person, as this has no locational value – it can’t tell you where within the landscape in front of you that you might find it. And not Stocks, as he wasn’t the landowner (a mere tenant). Likewise, he would not have given his moniker to the small plots here, Stocks Holmes. If not mere coincidence, his surname, as for the holmes, would be from the place rather than to it.
The 'folk' etymology was of “fulling stocks”: remnants of wooden hammers from the original use of the mill here for cleaning cloth, that for a time could be seen dumped on the south/west riverbank. No matter, as again this is far too ephemeral and recent. Tellingly, in recalling living on Hunshelf close to the bridge in 1845, Joseph Sheldon referred to “Stocksbridge Bridge”; and in 1804 – preceding the stone bridge – there is noted “a freehold estate at or near a place called Stocks Bridge … consisting of a cotton mill, a dwelling-house and about eight acres of land”. Stocksbridge is not as obvious as it might seem. Neither is the nearby Hawthorn Brook, another site on the riverbank: it’s not a brook. Both -bridge and -brook here are likely Anglicised and rationalised (Scottish) Gaelic bruaich, meaning ‘riverbank, brink, margin of land by water’. Same as for Oughtibridge
Mayor proposes fare freezes
South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard is proposing a freeze on Supertram fares, a freeze on the child concessionary fare across bus and tram, and a cut to the long distance single Supertram fare to support people with the cost of living and encourage the public back on public transport.
The proposals was discussed at a meeting of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Board on Tuesday 11 November. If the Board approve the proposals, it will mean that from Thursday 1 January 2026: Supertram fares will be frozen at their current rate.
The Adult Long Distance Single Supertram fare will reduce in price from £3.40 to £3putting the cost in line with the national bus fare cap price.
The child concessionary fare across buses and trams will remain at just £1 per journey.
The decision on fares is made annually and therefore, if agreed, will remain in place for a year.
South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “Last year we brought the Supertram network back under public control. We’ve made a good start, with millions invested in improving the track, the lines and the network, dogs now allowed on trams, and a new stop is coming on line at Magna in early 2026.
“But I know fares keep on going up. So from January 1st next year, for the following year, I’m asking the MCA Board to agree a fare freeze for most trips, with longer distance adult trips reduced from £3.40 to a flat £3, bringing the cost in line with the cap on bus fares.
Over the past year there has been a slight fall in the number of children and young people using buses so initiatives such as freezing the concessionary fare and the Barnsley MiCard pilot aim to increase usage by opening up more travel options and opportunities.
and Bridgehouses. So what's the stock(s) element?
How to crack a place-name is to look at all its occurrences across the country to discover what landscape feature they have in common, and then find a phrase in older language denoting it, that's been mangled into English. The preponderant derivation is most probably also ours. There are 16 instances on Streetmap of stock(s)bridge (including one stockbrigg). Most have no bridge and have never had a bridge. Eleven sport the similar topography of being hard by the steep slope of a pronounced hill as well as on a riverbank: at/near Edinburgh, Dunblane, Lockerbie, Lanarkshire, Peterhead (Aberdeen), Cockburnspath (Berwickshire), Longburton (Dorset), Tilford (Surrey), in Hampshire, Knowsley and Riddlesden (Keighley).
Nothing from older English (or Norse) seems to fit, and note the high proportion from Scotland. The construction that does fit, both meaning- and sound-wise, is Gaelic stac-nabruaich: from stac, ‘cliff’, plus the afore-mentioned bruaich, making 'the cliff of the river bank'. There are other, closely related placename elements, stùc and stuaic, that may be co-roots. The medial conjunctive has been lost, as is usual, and the sense this leaves of a word break leads to just that and/or imagining an intervening possessive s
This neatly describes the patch beside the Little Don beneath Hunshelf Bank as the latter has been eroded by the large s-bend sweep of the river (as you can see on the first edition OS map, when it was still uncovered). It cuts into its foot next to where was the fulling mill and other buildings, to make an even steeper incline – a cliff, indeed -- than the severe Hunshelf hillside overall. As it's a distinguishable spot, formerly spottable from a distance, naming it just what it is makes it useful; the point of a place-name, of course. And it fits with the Chud Ford moniker: chud is an obsolete word for ‘champ, bite’ – the river eroding the base of the slope; the debris making the river fordable.
Find Your Festive on The Moor
Join us this holiday season at Sheffield’s goto destination for unique gifts, festive treats, and seasonal cheer — The Sheffield Christmas market opens on The Moor on Thursday, 13th November!
Christmas Market Cabins
Wander through our charming wooden cabins filled with seasonal goodies, handcrafted gifts, and festive favourites from local makers Open 10am–6pm Sunday to Thursday, and 10am–7pm on Fridays and Saturdays throughout November and December.
Shops on The Moor
Make a day of it and explore The Moor’s fantastic line-up of shops, dining, and leisure venues! From high-street favourites like Primark, Next, and H&M to unique destinations such as Oseyo, Sheffield’s go-to Korean food and lifestyle store.
Take a break from shopping and experience adventure at Escape Hunt or unwind with a film at The Light Cinema. Whether you’re ticking off your Christmas list, grabbing a festive bite, or enjoying a family day out, The Moor has it all this holiday season.
Get cozy with a boozy hot chocolate, mulled wine, or hot cider at our Alpine Bar — open daily from 10am till late. The perfect place to relax after a day of shopping and exploring!
The Big Wheel
Enjoy breathtaking views of Sheffield’s sparkling city lights from the Big Wheel! Open daily from 10am till late — tickets are just £4 for children (under 11) and £5 for adults.
Supporting Sheffield Children’s Hospital
Look out for the stunning Snowflake Displays — part of the Sheffield Children’s Hospital 2026 Snowflake Appeal, helping raise vital funds for an incredible cause.
12 Days of Christmas Competition
From 1st–12th December, we’re spreading more joy with our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway! Follow us on social media for your chance to win fantastic prizes and keep the festive fun going into the new year.
This Christmas, make magical memories at The Moor — Sheffield’s festive heart!
The cliff-like foot of Hunshelf Bank, Stocksbridge
The Alpine Bar