A potted history

Born and raised in Aston (on Rosslyn Avenue where my Mum still live) I now live just around the corner!

I attended Aston Springwood J&I School and my early memories centre around family who also lived in the area. Both my Grandads were miners, one Deputy at Brookhouse and the other was a coal face worker at Orgreave before the coal dust in his lungs forced him into a driving job at Fence Workshops. Grandad George Percival was a well known face around Swallownest due to his long association as a commissionaire at Sheffield Wednesday, and helping to run the Swallownest branch of the Wednesday Supporters Club. I enjoyed many a happy Friday night with him as a young lad upstairs at ‘Siddalls’ with his Supporters Club colleagues - organising trips to away games.

Dad was an Electrical Engineer, and after working at various pits & a stint instructing at Fence found himself applying for a role in Bahrain - teaching the local Bahraini population to become electrical engineers too. We returned to the UK in 1981 to allow me to complete my secondary education at Aston Comprehensive, now the Academy.

In May 1983 I left ‘Aston Comp’ and remember being invited by my Uncle (manager at Brookhouse) to join him one Saturday morning at the pit where he asked me if I fancied a job there. I also remember him being offended that I declined - I didnt see any future at the pit for me and as it turned out it was a brilliant decision in the end given ‘The Strike’ which boke out a year later and tore so many families apart.

I did a 3 year stint at Rother Valley college instead, combined with a YTS training programme to gain a qualification in Information Technology. They were very happy years - I also did a crash course on virtually all the pubs in the Rother Valley region! Some of my favourites back then don’t even exist now, the Blue Bell at Aston, Lordens at Dinnington and Bambis!!

In 1988 I joined BT - a job for life I was told - and left in 1992! Since then Ive worked in various telecoms roles and I started my own business in 2007. I run that business to this day and work a lot with local companies. I have built the business on solid values of ethics and delivering a great customer experience.

I married in 1992, lived in Aston, and both my children attended Aston CofE school before also going on to Aston Comprehensive. I do remember at one Parents Evening seeing my old PE teacher coming down some stairs who greeted us with “Alreyt Shorty” - and both my son and I replying “Alreyt Sir!”

Over the years Ive lived in a number of houses - always in Rother Valley and ranging from Woodsetts Road in North Anston to Aughton and others. My sisters too both continue to live in the community.

I am very proud of my background, and my upbringing and feel that the ethics and standards instilled in me would help me greatly serve the region as its MP. I’m very hardworking and honest. I will always answer a question and while you may not always like my answer - you will be in no doubt as to what I think.

I have now remarried - my wife owns a cafe/coffee shop in Swallownest. You can usually find me in there early most mornings before I start my working day. My children both still live in the area, and my 2 step-children too.

If I am elected to serve our community you can rest assured that you will be gaining a very hard working ambassador for our area - and I will do everything in my power to ensure we are represented on the national stage.

Thank you

Nigel Short