Mexborough & Swinton Times, March 1st
Best Ever Parade at Conisborough
Spitfire Cheque Handed Over
The start of the Conisborough and Denaby section of the Don and Dearne War Weapons Week will long be remembered by those who were privileged to witness one of the most impressive displays ever staged in the district.
The thoroughfares of Conisborough and Denaby were thronged with people eager to watch the march past of the parade in the afternoon. Headed by mounted troops of the K.O.Y.L.I. dismounted troops, members of the A.T.S. and W.A.A.F., Denaby Home Guard, St. Johns Ambulance Brigade Band, Conisborough Home Guard, Police and Special Constables, St. John Ambulance Brigade, Girl Guides, Boy Scouts, Wardens, Fire Brigade and A.F.S., and Rescue and Ambulance Parties, Assembling in Welfare Avenue, Conanby, the parade proceeded by the way of the Council Offices, where the salute was taken by a senior Army officer and members and officials of the Urban Council to the Memorial Park at Denaby where a demonstration was addressed by Mr. Tom Williams, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Must Not Lose
Performing the opening ceremony, Mr. Tom Williams, M.P., said that our country was in danger because a set of gangsters in one part of Europe had set out to dominate the world and were attempting to impose by the most bestial actions a system which would make such gatherings as the one that afternoon impossible. If we lost the war, though he did not for a moment consider that likely, we should follow Poland and the other countries which had been overrun by the Nazis. The first casualty would be the freedom of the individual and the Trade Union and Co-operative movements would be suppressed.
The danger with which we were confronted therefore was not confined to the Government, but concerned every man, woman and child. If we were to preserve our free institutions which had been won by hard struggles, we should have to pay the price and severe sacrifices might be necessary before the end, but it would be worthwhile. We had the men and spirit, the morale and the unity, and given a strong Arby, Navy and Air Force, no combination of gangsters would ever defeat this country. In the days of intense unemployment be used to advocate spending as against saving but we must now save and so make available resources to provide the Forces with the implements of war.
He concluded by expressing the hope that the people of Denaby and Conisborough would show to the Government the unity which existed in working class areas.
Proud Record
Coun. D. Sheldon, Chairman of the local National Savings Committee, who presided, said he was proud of the response from the Conisborough area and mentioned that the two local collieries had contributed more on the average than any in Yorkshire. Stating that the district had contributed over £58,000 to national savings during 1940. Coun. Sheldon said that they were now called upon to save more in one week than they had done during the preceding 12 months, though he had no doubt that the objective would be reached if everyone did his share. “England I in danger”, said Coun. Sheldon “and we should all do all we can to save it. Every penny saved will contribute to our safety”.
Mr. T. C. Hodges, managing director of the Amalgamated Denaby Collieries Ltd, Advised all to cultivate the habit of thrift and appealed to the young men to work regularly and put their money at the disposal of the Government.