heffield Independent – Monday 23 September 1929
Better Era For Miners.
What Welfare Work Has Done.
Conisbro’ Gift.
‘‘ln the nine ten years since welfare schemes were introduced the miners have improved, not only in moral tone, intelligence, and outlook, but the effect upon the people within the mining area has been such that no man is capable of calculating it.”
Mr. Tom Williams. M.P. for the Don Valley, thus described the new era in mining, at a luncheon at the Denahy and Cadeby Welfare on Saturday when the Welfare Committee Trustees handed over to the Conisborough Urban District Council the deeds of a children’s playing ground.
The luncheon took place immediately after the opening of the grounds when 2,000 children were admitted Mr. Williams.
Since welfare schemes began in a small way, Mr. Williams said, £9,000,000 had been collected.
Children’s Heritage
That colossal sum had been spent providing playing fields, concert halls, swimming baths, pit-head baths and in diverse other ways to cater for the outdoor and indoor recreation of the miners, their wives and their children.
The children of Denaby Main had entered into their heritage, and he would look back upon that day as one of the brightest in his life.
That afternoon the children thought only of physical enjoyment. but to-morrow they would wonder who had given them their playing ground.
Mr. T. Hill, chairman of the Denaby and Cadeby Welfare Trustees, handed the deeds of the playground to Mr. A. Roberts, chairman of the Council.
Taken From Streets.
The grounds, which are fitted with swings and maypole and the latest amenities, have cost over £2,000.
Mr. Williams officiated in place Lord Chelmsford and Lord Sankey, who were unable to be present, and paid a great tribute to Lord Chelmsford for his interest in welfare work generally. He told the young people of the district that the grounds were laid out for the children a one, and he hoped they would allowed to play there without interference.
If the small children could use those playing fields, instead of the streets, where motor traffic becoming more and more intense their parents would be much happier.
Among those present were Mr. A. Roberts, chairman, and other members the Conisborough U.0.C., Mr. .J. Brocklesby, accountant, with Mr. H. Thirlwell, surveyor, and Mr. S. Baker, clerk to the U .D.C., Father Leteux. Captain C. Hodges, manager of the Denaby and Cadeby Colliery, and Mr. Tom Hill, chairman the Welfare Committee, and a number of representative members of the Playing Fields Association.