Buildings are worth saving because they are great storytellers, but teasing out those tales can unexpectedly become an Odyssey in itself. Join Robin Hughes of Hallamshire Historic Buildings on his quest as he visits a pub with no beer, hears heavenly voices in a churchyard, seeks missionaries and moneymen in Mayfield and spins a yarn about a cotton mill in Kelham.
Robin Hughes was born in Sheffield in the 1960s, and growing up in the city saw how its appearance was constantly changing. Initially excited by new developments, he has become increasingly concerned at the loss of heritage, especially historic buildings, and with them character and sense of place. Now retired after a career in Information Technology, he is a trustee of Hallamshire Historic Buildings and Joined Up Heritage Sheffield, campaigning for a more positive attitude to heritage and researching the stories that give the historic environment meaning and value. In private life he is also a singer, pianist and occasional composer.