South Yorkshire Times April 1, 1950
Manvers, Cadeby, Kilnhurst
Area Final at Wath Next Month
Kilnhurst, Cadeby and Manvers Main Collieries have this week chosen their Coal Queens in readiness for the final of the No. 3 (Rotherham and Mexborough) Area Coal Queen competition to be held at the Empire Hall, Wath, on Friday, May 5th.
Wath have already chosen their competitor and Barnburgh and Denaby are to do so in the near future
News from the pits this week is as follows:—
Kilnhurst
Keen interest was evinced in Kilnhurst’s Coal Queen competition held at a dance in the Church Hall Kilnhurst, on Friday. After lengthy deliberations, the all-female panel of judges awarded the winning prize to 20-year-old Joyce Whaley, of Charles Street, Kilnhurst.
The event drew a crowd of 250 dancers, and there were 23 competitors. Runners-up were Sonia Vickers, Violet Sugden and Mrs. H. Taylor.
The cash prize, given by Kilnhurst Colliery manager Mr. J. Shim-mins and Mrs. Shimmins, was presented to Miss Whaley by the senior overman, Mr. W. White. Judges were Mrs. R. Miller, Mrs. W. White, and Mrs. H. Hutchinson.
MCs for the dance were Mr. J. Malcolm and Mr. J. M. Moorhouge.
Cadeby
When Miss Doreen Fennell, of Conisbrough, went to Denaby Baths Hall on Saturday, where judging was to take place for Cadeby Colliery Queen, she had no intention of taking part in the competition. A friend asked her to give her moral—and actual — support, adding that-neither would win.” Miss Fennell was chosen the new Queen.
Miss Fennell, who is 18, lives at 7, Castle Grove Terrace, and works at the British Belting and Asbestos Company, Mexborough. Her mother, Mrs. A. Fennell, works at Cadeby Colliery Canteen, and her father at Denaby Main Colliery.
Her main reaction, since she only entered the competition as a joke, is one of surprise and slight bewilderment. She remarks that her 15-years-old sister, Brenda, a pupil at Mexborough. Grammar School, was more thrilled at the title than she herself.
Manvers
20-years-old farmer’s daughter, Miss Helena Wheelhouse, Plane Tree Farm, Barnburgh, was yesterday (Wednesday) chosen Coal Queen for Manvers Main Colliery. Helena, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Wheelhouse, is a shorthand-typist in the Manager’s office at Manvers. Born in Wath, where she lived on her father’s farm at Cat Lane, she removed to Barnburgh a year ago. Miss Wheelhouse has been employed at Manvers for over two years, working 18 months in the No. 3 Area Transport Department.
The Queen was chosen by ballot from eight other entrants, by theColliery Consultative Committee, consisting of 12 members, under the chairmanship of Mr. J. Lomax (Manager).
Barnburgh
Barnburgh Main Pit Consultative Committee are appealing this week for entries for their Coal Queen choice, and intending entrants, who must be employees at the pit or the wives or daughters of employees at the colliery, should send photo graphs to the Pit Consultative Com inittee secretary, Mr. J. Adams, a the Colliery Offices, Barnburgh Main.
Denaby
Colin. 3′. T. E. Collins, Denaby Main Colliery N.U.M. miners’ secretary, told the “South Yorkshhire Times” yesterday that judging for Denaby Colliery Queen had been postponed from last Friday until Saturday next. The competition would be held, as was Cadebys, in Denaby Baths Hall.