South Yorkshire Times, October 13, 1945

Boxing Ring in Way
Conisbrough UDC vote for Dancing

The refusal of the Bath committee to sanction use of the municipal boxing ring in the Denaby Baths Hall on the grounds that it would impede dancing, which the council is to promote in the near future, was confirmed at the monthly meeting of Conisbrough Council on Wednesday, the vice-chairman, Counc D Sheldon presiding.

Coun, R. H. Shephard’s MM men that their application should be granted, had not been seconded.

At Tuesdays meeting, Coun, J. T. E. Collins, moving a reference back of the minute, said some members held the view that boxing should be allowed as the council had many years ago gone to the expense of providing the ring. If the ring were erected at the far end of the Bath’sHall there was no reason why it should not be.

Coun. G. Cheshire, chairman of the Bath’s committee, opposed the reference back, not because they objected to the use of the boxing ring – they did not, if the promoters could find a suitable hall for it the boxing ring was at their disposal, but if the ring were erected in the Bath’s Hall it had to stay as a fixture and it would take up one fifth of the available floor space, and would reduce the dancing room. The committee had been given three months with a free hand regarding the use of the whole. It was not fair that at this stage they should be hampered by other undertakings.

Coun. T. Shephard, who seconded the reference back, though they were denying the youth of the district an amenity equal as important as dancing. He understood from the surveyor that it would cost 30s to erect and dismantle this ring and probably another 30s to transport it. That, for three nights a week would cost £6.

Must Have Some Return.

Coun. A. M. Carlin said that this application had not come before the council had made their arrangements about the hall. They had as expended ratepayers money and they had to get some return for it.

The vice-chairman said that the Bath’s Hall was a “white elephant” to the Denaby Welfare, who decided to give it to the council. Now the council were about to make something on it they wanted to come and use it.

Coun. R. H. Shepard thought that far from making money on the Haaa by dancers they would not make them pay.

The reference back was defeated by nine votes by two.

County Coun. R. Roberts, chairman of the highways committee deprecated the damage done to streetlights and other council property, announcing the council’s intention to prosecute offenders and offer a reward of £1 for information leading to prosecution of those doing wilful damage. The council’s proposals to retain streetlamps lit throughout the hours of darkness, would be an amenity of special value to the miners going to and from work, and it was in their interests that they should help to stop damage.

Efforts are being made by the council to secure improvement in the bus service between Denaby and Doncaster.