1931

January

In January 1931 a pony driver dies after ‘twisting tubs’ at Cadeby and there’s a celebratory tea with the triumph of the Pit Pension scheme
We feature the casualty list and a diary of events from 1930 and the local outlook for trade in 1931.
A Denaby young wife is found dead in bed ny her father.
There’s bedlam at the Station Hotel with four men sent to prison and a Conisbro’ Man is working in Swahili amongst freed slaves
A Denaby Man who played for United the previous season is transferred to Liverpool from Gainsborough Trinity
And Clara Bow is on at the Empire With the Western Electric Sound System

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February

There’s a fire tragedy in February 1931 when an elderly man, sleeping in stables opposite the United ground in Tickhill Square, and three cart horses, are burned to death
A toddler dies after receiving scalds from boiling water and another Miner is whirled round the pit shaft in a fatal accident
Large Scale combination of the collieries is justified and the Council debates employment, scholarships and conversions
Conisbrough Cliff Caves are destroyed and we see and hear the stories of “Cow Pasture”
There’s a suicide which reveals a sad family history of three hangings and United get a credible draw at Oakwell

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March

In March 1931 there’s a strike threat as miners are unable to receive their coal allowance and Denaby are to repair their winding shaft with 500 men affected
There are pictures of the School “Smithy” and Handicrafts from the Conisborough Evening Institute and two local Councillors are in the County Council elections
We feature Marconigrams, news snippets from South Yorkshire
In the courts a Denaby miner is a nuisance to the neighbourhood, after his 15th appearance and miners are sent to prison for shopbreaking and food ticket offences
A Denaby United supporter is “warned off” after kicking a linesman and Conisbrough Rangers are the only unbeaten team in the District

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April

Coal deliveries are resumed in April 1931 as a miner’s strike is averted, but miners are in court for stealing their “quota” from the sidings
Four young miners are in Court for a “grab and smash”, involving the liberation of a turnip pie
There are growing demands on the Fullerton Hospital, with a request for an increase in Doctor’s pay
United report good progress despite difficulties, finishing mid table in the Midland League, above local rivals, Mexborough & Wombwell

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May

In May 1931 parents are advised to provide a cot after baby’s death
An elderly Miner is killed by a trolley bus and there’s another death at Cadeby by a fall of stone
A Winding Engine used since the start of Denaby is dismantled
There is a by-election at Conisbrough and a decade of progress by the Urban Council is hailed
The Roman Catholics hold their festival at the Football ground and Poachers are prosecuted and  a county councillor is sent to prison
Denaby & Cadeby are involved in thrilling finishes

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June

Yorkshire Traction announced new weekly seaside excursions to Blackpool, Cleethorpes and Scarborough in June 1931
Winding Gear alterations with 100 men out of work at Denaby
there’s correspondence on the site of Denaby Pottery
The Socialist candidate is bottom of the poll in the County Council by-election
There’s a Church lads Brigade camp at Rhyl and the history of the Castle and Maisbeli Field
A Pit Yard mixup and stolen bike accusations and a detailed report of Denaby Boxing

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July

In July 1931 a Denaby youth is a stowaway on the vessel Opowa and we have a picture of a picturesque Conisbrough wedding
MP Tom Williams appears to Denaby miners for unity and to non-members to join the union
15 glass workers have served over 800 years in total for Kilner brothers Glass works
We see pit ponies who are the pride of Denaby and Cadeby collieries and a man falls 12 feet from the Balcony at Denaby baths
The Roman Catholic Priest, Canon Leteux, is leaving Conisbrough
Denaby Hospital sports are held, with a young boy collector taking “No Short Weight”
A miner receives three months imprisonment for assaulting a police constable
There is both wrestling and boxing at Denaby United’s ground
Denaby & Cadeby record good wins at Bullcroft and Mexborough

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August

A motorcoach, with 25 passengers, topples into a ditch in August 1931
In a freak accident a young boy dies with a broken neck at the Godfrey Walker convalescent home
The retiring stationmaster at Conisbrough reveals a remarkable family railway record
After 41 years Association, the Wesleyan minister retires and there’s a woman organist at Conisbrough Parish Church
Poachers receive smart prison sentences after night poaching and the Memorial Park is nearing completion at Denaby
15 coaches are required for the Mona working men’s club annual children’s outing to Cleethorpes
Denaby & Cadeby’s annual game at Scarborough is interrupted by lightning which strikes the pavilion

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September

In September 1931 there are severe floods with residents in Dufton’s Row using boats for transport
A young girl at the Fat Works died from septicaemia with insufficient evidence as to the origin
A man aged 74 marries a lady aged 84 at Denaby Parish Church
local Boy Scouts join a rally at Clumber Park
large number of visitors flock to Conisborough as the Castle is lit by floodlights
The Mexborough & Swinton Times is to be rechristened
The court hears stories of widespread looting by four young Conisborough boys
and we feature full results of United and local teams

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October

There are accidents at Cadeby Main, involving a runaway cart and a fractured footballer’s leg in October 1931
We have pictures of the floodlit Castleas thousands flocked to see the spectacle
A young swimming star from Station Rd, Schoolemerges at the Conisborough Gala
Denaby is about to receive their new Memorial Park and a Conisborough miner gets damages after a bus leaves as he is getting on it
And “Dixie” Dean scores five goals as Wednesday are thrashed 9 – 3 at Goodison Park

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November

In November 1931 there were two deaths which saddened the local community;
a chemist and former councillor is found dead in bed and a Church Army notable dies  after a long illness
There’s a windfall at Conanby when “Five Money Spiders” win the Irish Sweep and a contractor is entombed at Cadeby for four hours
A “Times” industrial review provides local opinion from the mining, building, glass and the iron and steel trades
There is a major pit reorganisation with notices for 600 miners and the Council decide a Rota Employment System is unworkable
United continued to occupy the Midland League Basement including a 7- 1 loss at Meadow Lane

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December

A shocking, fatal incident befell a funeral bearer, in December 1931 run over by several trains after he wandered onto the railway lines
A fall of roof injures another two miners at Cadeby and we are updated with the Cadeby disaster fund, down to the last £700
There’s a major scheme for improvement at Denaby Main and the Council adopt the “Rotary” scheme
There is a “Telegraph” review of the of trade in the Don and Dearne valleys as 50% import duty is introduced in the Glass Trade
Penal sentences are given to a man who buys and sells a piano on Hire Purchase and Denaby relief Waiters who claim unemployment benefit
United are “doubled” by local rivals Mexborough Athletic in the Christmas Day and Boxing Day derbies

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