Mexborough and Swinton Times February 19, 1926

Conisborough Fire Brigade
Annual Dinner
Surveyor on “New Town” Problems

The annual dinner of the Conisborough Fire Brigade was held at the Fox hotel Conisbrough last Thursday. Councillor J Maxfield presided.

Mr H Thirlwall, proposing the toast of the Fire Brigade, stated that this was a particular privilege for he had to listen to complaints and to get facilities for brigade to carry on its important duties. The Fire Brigade Committee did its utmost to assess; they knew of the brigade’s excellent work in the past and hoped for the same for the future.

He referred particularly to the Newtown on North Cliff Hill. New water arrangements had been necessary, as the bedroom levels were above the reservoir. A booster, in duplicate, automatic control, and beset up, which would deliver on one, two, three or four jets, or whatever was required, 36,000 gallons of water per hour, at a pressure of 75 lbs to the square inch.

There was not a house further than 100 yards from a hydrant. The higher portion of the town had been placed in a “high-level zone” and mains had been laid to ensure a plentiful supply at sufficient pressure.

The Council had provided most things, but not yet a motor fire engine; apparently everything driven by internal combustion engines did not appeal to everybody in Conisbrough. If Conisbrough did develop it might be necessary to get one.

During the partially there been no serious outbreak, nearly all been extinguished by the use of chemical extinguishers. He hoped that the brigade would continue to prosper and always do its duty.

Mr R.J. Clarkson, captain of the brigade, responding, said he had a fine lot of fellows under his charge.

Mr J.W. Lawton proposed the “Town and Trade.” The town, he said, existed before the days of Urban District Councils, and was a place of some importance. Now it depended entirely from industry, and all the money spent here was no more than that produced: perhaps it was less, and he instanced how trams and motor omnibuses took away a good amount of the money earned in Conisbrough. There must be more trade than there was; at any rate, there were more tradesmen, but trade was not so good. Perhaps the place was a little too slow. We should bear in mind that things were moving and that business methods should be modernised.

Mr H.W. Gillott said that calibre today at two finest colonies ever known, and these on the Cliff Company, with its new industry, and the Brickworks, helped to carry on the place. The only regret was that the Glassworks was only a shadow of their former greatness. With all its faults, it was the most progressive spot he knew.

Proposing the “Conisbrough Urban District Council,” Mr A.E. Berry touched first on the passing of a “dear friend, Sgt T.W.Downing.” Councils, were not supermen – they try to do their best. He appreciated the thoroughness of the Council and deprecated much of the jerry-built structures of the day. He hoped that the council would continue on the course it had set itself.

Councillor W.L. Worsley responded, stating that he did not think there was a more progressive Council in the country. Rapid strides have been made, and the delay in housing was not the fault of the Council. The Ministry of Health was holding it up for trifling things. He hoped there would be good news by the next Council meeting. The new houses were needed and hope to speed up production. The Housing Association scheme and entail a lot of work, and the only if it was considering that those in the Council were not doing their duty others would be sent.