Alan Reynolds was born on Briton Street, Mexborough in 1927. When he left school at 14 he started work in short trousers. With his first wage his mother bought him a pair of long trousers. He worked at Manvers Colliery from 1941 to 1970, New Stubbin Colliery from 1970 to 1978,Cortonwood Colliery in 1979 and Elsecar Main in 1980. Finally Cadeby Colliery from 1980 to 1984 when he retired.
He is now in his Eighties. Below is a picture of him when he was a deputy at Cadeby. Alan is on the extreme right. 
Do you know Denaby Main ?
The Pub was nearly empty
Just two lads having a drink
One beckoned me over
He wanted to talk I think
One of the lads – his name was Tom
He hadn’t a clue where I was from
Asked if I’d heard of Denaby Main
His parents came from there he said
But never went back again
Yes, I could tell many a thing
About Denaby Pit, when in full swing
When hundreds went down that hole
And all three shifts were turning coal
Locos shunting night and day
Constant noise, come what may
Winding engines run on steam
And pit head baths were just a dream
I could have told of grief and pain
Of men that died at Denaby Main
Of broken bones, and broken health
While coal mine owners count the wealth
At that time, we knew no other
You had a job just like your brother
Terrace houses have all gone
New dwellings now for everyone
All the pits have gone since Thatcher came
How the locals hate that name
Yes I can tell him about Denaby Main
All the losses, all the gain
Cleaner air but jobs are few
No longer seams of coal to hew
Time marches on,no matter what
You may not like it, not a jot
Yes every Street and every lane
I can tell him of Denaby Main
I know it well.
Under our feet
Our standards have fallen
Regarding our town
More and more people
Just drop litter down
Chip shop wrappings or an empty can
All left behind for the Council man
Never have the streets looked such a mess
And plenty of people couldn’t care less
We should all be ashamed of the state of the street
And deplore all the trash under our feet
So just spread the word to all that you know
Then keeping things tidy will surely grow
Each taking his rubbish home or a nearby bin
Thus leaving the streets as clean as a pin
Be proud of our place it’s worth all the hassle
There’s not many places with a beautiful castle
Black magic
Oh them Friday nights
When me dad came through the door
With a parcel of black pudding
A feast for the poor
I had mine in a sandwich
Me Ma´am liked it fried
But some were for Saturday
So was put on one side
Yes them Friday teas
I remember with joy
The best of the week
When I was a boy
But now I am older
And the young ones go out
To dine off thick steaks
Or scampi no doubt
They will never have known
The pleasure we found
In my Dad’s black pudding
At a tanner a pound
The Past was bliss
Shining brass and jet black lead
Hot coal ovens and home baked bread
Hissing gas lamp on the wall
Knocker up early call
Rag pegges rug upon the floor
Iron sneck upon the door
Suet dumplings apple pies
bonfire night with home-made guys
Whip and top Shuttlecocks
Whitsun sings and knitted socks
Your first pair of shiny boots
Felt as though you’ve grown some roots
Long time past those days of old
Friendly folks with hearts of gold
Now I sit and reminisce
Thinking all the past was bliss
When really then the time was rough
Of food you didn’t get enough
Money scarce new clothes rare
Sometimes your feet were almost there
But good fond memories still abound
When all once friends were still around
Gain admission
The caretaker stood at the gates of Heaven
He looked both weary and old
He timidly asked St Peter
For admission to the fold
What right have you the great Saint cried
To gain admission here
I´ve worked at Northcliffe School he replied
The gates were opened wide
And Saint Peter tolled the Bell
Come in my son you’re welcome here
You´ve had your share of hell
Growing Up
We only have them for a short time
They grow up much too fast
Childhood goes very quickly
It wasn’t meant to last
Enjoy your children why you may
Nurture them with care
Much too soon the’ve flown the nest
One day they are just not there
Someone else has reaped the benefit
Of all your loving care
That is when you miss them
When they’re no longer there
So back to when they are growing up
Sometimes you’re tired and worn
But your greatest days you´ve had so far
Is the days when they were born
Remember every hour is golden
You´ll realise it too late
All children are a blessing
With them your life is great
Just try
Try to be silent
When words would hurt
Try to be patient
When someone is curt
Try to feign deafness
When scandal flows
Try to be thoughtful
To others woes
Try to be prompt
When duty calls
Try to have courage
When misfortune falls
lLfe would be sweeter
If we´d only try
To remember these words
And try to comply
Modern problem
How many times a day we meet kids with an attitude
How many times a day do you hear kids being very rude
Is this a modern problem
Or lack of parental control
Is it someone in isolation playing out a role
Someone who needs an audience
To make it all worthwhile
Who leads the other children on
With bravado lies and Guile
Whatever the cause may be
You’ll find it everywhere
Walk down any road or street and you will meet it there
When punishment went out the window
And do-gooders won the day
Attitude went down the pan and there was a price to pay
There’s no need for drastic measures
But discipline must return
It’s the only way some ports will ever ever learn
Respect for other people at school at home at play
Will lead to better adults on some future day
My time at school
On the desk I had at school
Countless pupils played the full
Carving things with pen nibs
About their friends about their life
Johnny loves little Mary
Susan’s brother is a fairly
Words of wisdom friendly jibes
Names of well-known Indian tribes
Lift the lid and have a peep
See the books all in a heap
Half a pencil a broken nib
A Christmas drawing of the crib
Today the desks are smart and new
The motto´s on them very few
Teachers now aren´t half as strict
Pupils never get their backsides kicked
But in spite of grotty guests and things
My time at school flew by on wings
The cane you got you never forgot
You soon knew when and when to not
Those halcyon days
Once I was a teenager
Just listen what I say
I could climb a tree or run a mile
Or dance the night away
I like girls the girls liked me
We had a whale of a time
Not like youngsters off today
Whol maybe turn to crime
Now I’m all and when I stoop
A sock or shoe to find
What else can I do whilst I’m down here
Flashes through my mind
Yes old age has some perks
A free bus passes is just but one
Prescription charges no longer apply
They are thankfully gone
But Oh to be young again
And be never be short of zip
Those were my halcyon days
Before I lost my grip
It isn´t nice or funny
Getting older by the day
So enjoy each and every minute
Before old age old sway