Mexborough and Swinton Times June 18, 1926
Conisborough Distress Fund
The effects of the coal stoppage are now more apparent. A survey of the district has revealed the fact that there are about 4000 cases in which some assistance will have to be given. When one considers that the population of the places just over 17,000 persons it will be observed that about half the families in the place are feeling the effects. This state of affairs makes one hope that a settlement will be quickly reached.
Quite a number small committees sprang up to provide assistance early on during the stoppage but it has been wisely realisde that a central committee is needed to cope with situation.
This was done last Thursday when the chairman of the council Mr W. B. Wells, became chairman of Conisborough Distress Fund. The other officials are vice-chairman, Mr T. Hill, treasurer, Mr W. A. Twelves, the council’s treasurer, secretary, Mr H Crowther, and assistant secretary, Mr C Smith.
The committee quickly got to work and has devised a scheme for the distribution of food from the central store at the Cadeby colliery pay shed under the charge of Mr D. Sheldon as quartermaster. Tenders were invited for food and on Tuesday orders were placed. The tradesmen have sent in quotations which prove that they are out to aid the miners and not to profiteer. Goods to the value of about £1,200 have been ordered for distribution on Friday, and one considers that this is practically the wholesale price the magnitude of the work can be seen.
And where is the money coming from? There are two sources, voluntary subscriptions and loans. It appears that the major portion of the belief must be loan, for voluntary aid is swallowed up by maternity cases and sick children. A meeting was held on the Denaby football field on Friday morning when a scheme for borrowing from the Colliery Company was propounded, repayment to be made by men and boys at the rate of one penny and one half penny per week respectively when work is resumed. In this it was hoped to raise between two and £3000. Large a sum as this is one fears it would need augmenting.