Conisborough Fireman’s Presentation – 55 Years’ Service

February 1925

Mexborough & Swinton Times February 14th1925

55 Years’ Service
Conisborough Fireman’s Presentation

A company of about one hundred members of the Conisborough Fire Brigade, representatives of neighbouring brigades, local councillors, and others attended a dinner at te Fox Hotel, Conisborough, last night, the occasion being the presentation to Sergt. T. W. Downing, who has retired from the Brigade after 55 years’ service. Mr. A. E. Berry, chairman of the Urban Council, presided.

Mr. J. Maxfield proposed ‘The Fire Brigade,’ who he said, were a fine and able body of men. He heartily welcomed the representatives of the other Brigades.

Mr. R. J. Clarkson, captain of the Fire Brigade, responding assured them that as long as he led it the Brigade would be as efficient as possible.

Mr. Arthur Roberts, C.C., proposed ‘The Chairman and Members of the Conisborough Urban Council.’ He hoped that next time Coun. Berry’s turn came to be chairman he would be a mayor. Conisborough was progressing, and the Council was a happy family. They were ambitious and believed that Conisborough merited more than urban powers. Within four r five years it was estimated that the population would have increased by four of five thousand.

Mr. L. Worsley, responding, remarked that the delay in housing was not due to the Council, but to the weather and the building strike.

Mr. Berry made the presentation of a Jacobean oak Westminster chiming clock and a wallet containing £10, subscribed by members of the Fire Brigade and the Council. Mr. Barry said that if 55 years was not a record it was a fine example of devotion to duty. He mentioned that Sergt. Downing served in the South African War.