Twenty-One Years’ Managing Director of the Denaby & Cadeby Collieries

Mr. W. H. Chambers

Commemorative Banquet at Conisbrough

The first of this month being the 21st anniversary of Mr. W. H. Chambers taking over the managing directorship of the Denaby and Cadeby Collieries, that gentleman on Saturday night gave a commemorative banquet to a number of friends and colliery officials. The invitations were gladly accepted, and the company sat down in the large dining saloon of the Denaby Main Hotel, where Mr. W. L. Gibbs, the landlord, had excelled himself in the splendid arrangements made for the comfort of the guests.

The dining hall presented a picture like unto fairyland, the wealth of electric lights, the glittering silver, and general decorations giving a sense of pleasure to all fortunate enough to be present. At the top table, where sat Mr. W. H. Chambers, with Dr. Crack and the Rev. J. Brookes on his right, and the Rev. Father Kavanagh and Dr. F. G. Twigg on his left, a large palm, sprayed off by gladiolus, graced the centre in the form of a crescent. The centre tables were beautified with flowers, and, indeed, looked like a veritable flower garden, being so arranged as to make it appear that the ivy, ferns, and lilies of the valley were in full natural growth.

At these tables sat Messrs. Milnes, Fisher, Sneathurst, Williamson, Scholefield, M. Sear, Wallace, Douglas, G. Birch, C. C. Nicholas, Hodgson, Stevenson, S. Johnson, Hovle, Meade, Hill, Stockhuse, Sear, Lamberts, Ellis, W. Wright, Mitchell, Rose, A. Bond, Brierley, V. Asberry, Farmer, Springthorpe, and Dr. J. Huey. There were also three small side tables delightfully arranged as grottos, with just enough room for the guests to take their places and the necessary plates, etc.

The grottos party consisted of Mr. Barnard, Dr. Foster, Mr. Witty, Rev. J. I. Page, Mr. Binns, and Dr. McClure. The room generally likewise wore a dress of artistic adornment, ivy, flowers, and variegated plants being conspicuous features. Mr. Gibbs had a special staff of waiters, and the following excellent menu was served in first-class style—soup, turbot, beef, roast and boiled mutton, jugged hare, chicken (roast and boiled), roast duck, sweets, fruit, champagne, claret, port, sherry, old Scotch whisky.

The usual loyal toasts were heartily received, and at the request of Mr. Chambers there was very little “speechifying,” all enjoying to the full a delightful musical evening, Messrs. C. Nicholas and M. Sear accompanying the various songs on the piano, which also was located in a grotto.

Of course, the principal toast of the evening, “The health of Mr. Chambers,” was drunk with enthusiasm, and given full musical honours; and there was not a person present but what wished the present managing director of the two important South Yorkshire coalpits many years of future office.

The proceedings lasted from seven until 11 o’clock, and before the close Mr. Chambers personally complimented the landlord, Mr. Gibbs, on his splendid catering. The room reminded him of a fairy palace, and he was quite sure Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs had excelled themselves. Certainly, it was a memorable occasion, and was commemorated in a right royal way.