South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 08 May 1943
Bomber Crew Visit ?
For Conisbrough “Wings” Week
Squadron Leader J. H. Dunk, D.F.C., R.A.F., Conisbrough’s operational duties permitting, is to be present at the opening of Conisbrough’s Wings for Victory Week, on May 15th. It is hoped the captain and crew of the Lancaster Bomber, who with Squadron-Leader Dunk, as navigator, made a recording while on a raid over Essen, which was broadcast on April 23rd, will accompany him.
Confidence that the town’s target of £60,000 to buy a squadron of Spitfires will be attained during Wings for Victory Week was expressed by the chairman of Conisbrough Savings Committee (Coun. David Sheldon) at a meeting on Friday. Coun. Sheldon said that in response to the letters of appeal which had been sent out to prospective investors they had been promised, to that day, investments totalling £34,000.
Reporting on the activities of the publicity sub-committee Mr. H. Rawding said that arrangements for the week were nearing completion. The schools’ competition for the biggest collection of War Savings advertisements had proved very successful, there being about 200 entries. These had been judged by the “South Yorkshire Times,” and the results would be announced during the week. Each entrant would receive a Savings Stamp, and already £4 10s. had been promised for prize money. Great interest had been aroused in the district by the S.O.C. poster. This had later been implemented by the words “Squadron of Spitfires” and “The R.A.F. always reaches its target, so must Conisbrough and Denaby.” Leaflets and programmes would be circulated through the schools. Pictures of local members of the R.A.F. and W.A.A.F. were being collected and mounted for exhibition at various points. Exhibitions provided by the National Savings Committee would be on view. It was decided to invite the Surveyor, Mr. H. Thirlwall, to be reception officer for guests during “Wings” Week.
When the question of announcing promises of investments at the opening ceremony arose, Coun. Sheldon said he thought it would be an incentive to other firms, organisations and individuals, to invest if this was done. The committee were as optimistic as in previous efforts, but the indicators would show the actual amounts subscribed daily, and not the promises.
Mr. Proctor reported that the schools were pulling their weight, and it was decided to order 2,000 metal badges in the form of wings to give to consistent savers at the schools.
Mr. E. Dabbs (local secretary) paid tribute to the work put in by Mr. Rawding. In previous efforts he had done more than his share, but in this effort he had seemed more determined than ever to make the job a success. Coun. Sheldon and other members endorsed this.
“WINGS” PROGRAMME
The programme for the Week will be:—
Saturday, May 15th: 2 p.m. Opening of selling centre at 35, Church Street, Conisbrough. Opening of exhibition of model Spitfires made by Conisbrough A.T.C., and exhibition of R.A.F. photographs at Church House by Group Captain A. H. Peck, D.S.O., M.C., who will officially open the Week. 2-45 p.m. Parade from Tickhill Square to Castle grounds, the salute to be taken at the Cenotaph by Group Captain Peck, supported by Squadron Leader J. H. Dunk, D.F.C., of Conisbrough, and Mr. J. Rowbottom (Assistant Regional Commissioner for National Savings).
Sunday: 3 p.m. Drumhead service at Denaby football field.
Monday: 7 p.m. Variety concert by R.A.F. Concert Party at Denaby Church Hall.
Tuesday: 7 p.m. Grand whist drive, Station Road School, proceeds for R.A.F. Benevolent Fund.
Wednesday: 3 p.m. Rossington Street School Open Day; 7 to midnight, Station Road School dance, arranged by A.T.C. and G.T.C.
Thursday: 3 p.m. Modern Savings Open Day, admission by two savings stamps; 3 p.m. Bazaar at St. Andrew’s Mission, Old Road, arranged by the Silverwood View Savings Group; 4 p.m. Mixed R.A.F. Officer v Conisbrough Cricket Match, Conisbrough and Denaby team versus R.A.F. team; 4-30 to 8-30 p.m. R.A.F. Exhibition at Modern School; 7-30 to midnight, Dance at Station Road School and Gala Night arranged by Conisbrough First Aid Post.
Friday: 6-30 p.m. Rossington Street School Variety Concert, produced by Mrs. H. L. Chappell, of Mexborough.
Saturday: 3 p.m. Tennis match versus R.A.F.
TARGETS HAVE BEEN FIXED
Targets have been fixed as follows for the various groups: T.C.I., £1,000 for ten general purpose bombs for the Denaby and Cadeby Colliery Company office staff; £360 for eight machine guns; Conisbrough First Aid Post, £350 for a propellor; Morley Place Junior School, £360 for machine guns; Denaby Special Constables, £200 for wheels; Balby Street Junior School, £135 for a machine gun; Conan Road, £100 for machine guns; Alexandra Group, £100; Crookhill Road, £100; Tickhill Square, £100; Tickhill Street, £100 for a cannon; Sickle Works, £135 for a machine gun; Station Road Junior School (all the sparking plugs necessary for a squadron of Spitfires), £57 12s.