Community spirit’s as good as ever says 80-year resident

81 year old Geoffrey Banyard has lived in the same family home all his life. Picture: Ross Parry Agency

He was just eight months old when he, parents William and Violet and brothers Kenneth and David moved into Butterthwaite Road in Shiregreen, Sheffield.

The former painter and decorator said community spirit in the area is as alive as ever.

Mr Banyard, now 81, who met and married Maureen in 1968 and went on to have two sons, Roy and Paul, who now serve in the Army.

He said: “The biggest difference to Shiregreen from when I was young is that there were no cars on the road.

“I remember when rationing was introduced the number of local shops increased and also when my mum used to collect our milk with her own jug from a mobile milk truck.

“It’s great to see community spirit again. Seeing neighbours hanging flags across the street for the World Cup was something I hadn’t seen since VE day.”

Mr Banyard got in touch with landlord Shiregreen Community Homes after hearing of another long-serving tenant and he thinks he is the longest-serving resident of Shiregreen.