Denaby Main Institute – Resignations of President & Secretary

January 1921

Mexborough & Swinton TimesSaturday 29 January 1921

Denaby Main Institute.
Resignations of President and Secretary.
Successful Financial Year.

There was a large attendance of members at the annual meeting of the Denaby Main Institute, on Monday.

The resignations of Mr W.H.Chambers, as president, and Mr W. Astbury, as secretary, were received. Mr Chambers sent a message wishing the club continued prosperity, and stating that, as he was now residing out of the district, he was not able to give the necessary time to the duties of president.

Mr H.C. Harrison, who presided over the meeting, played a splendid complement to the interest Mr Chambers had displayed in the Institute, and for that matter in the whole of the social life of Denaby Main.

“In spite, you may think at times,” said Mr Harrison, “you know that no one has done more for this Institute, and for the village as a whole, than Mr Chambers. For something like 40 years he has worked earnestly for the benefit of Denaby Main, has given up a good deal of valuable time, and has sacrificed much leisure on your behalf. Now I think he is entitled to take a rest. Mr Chambers had had a good innings and Mr Harrison felt sure that the best wishes of the Hall of the members would accompany him in his semi-retirement

A proposition that. Mr Chambers be asked to accept the position of honorary president for life was unanimously adopted.

Mr Harrisonaccepted a strong invitation to fill the vacant position of President, and thanked the members. He would do his best to maintain the success and prosperity of the Institute, and he endeavoured to take a more active interest in the club than he had done heretofore.

Mr H.W.Smith wrote resigning his position as vice president, and Mr W.Still was elected to the vacancy. The other vice presidents are Mr H.Hulley and Mr W.L.Worsley (re-elected).

With regard to his resignation, Mr Astbury said that he found it exceedingly difficult to carry on as secretary. Now he was ressiding so far away from the Institute.

On behalf of the members, Mr Worsley appealed to Mr Astbury, to reconsider his decision. Mr Astbury was firm, however, and the resignation was finally accepted with regret. Mr Astbury was appointed an honorary member of the club.

Mr James Feeney was appointed secretary, and Mr B. Hadfield volunteered to give the new secretary any clerical assistance he required. The question of the salaries of the officials was raised, and various suggestions were made to the committee.

Mr G.L.Robinson and Mr W.Astbury were appointed auditors.

The balance sheet presented by Mr Astbury showed an eminently satisfactory state of affairs.

The Income of the year was £2,969 12s 9d of which the following are the principal items:

Sales of liquor and tabacco                 £2,212 10s 5d.
Donation from the Colliery Company   £116 11s 8d
Revenue from billiards                          £224 17s 7d.
Subscriptions                                    £77 6s 0d.
Carried forward from 1919                    £284 18s 9d

Despite the fact that there have been a large extraordinary expenditure there was a profit in the years working of £181 7s 7d, which brings a credit balance up to £466 7s 7d.

The chairman, described the balance sheet as very creditable indeed. They might reasonably feel proud of their present position, and could afford to congratulate themselves.

Mr Still said that the club appeared to be in a very flourishing condition. The impression he, as a newcomer, received, was that the general state of affairs was extremely satisfactory.

The library account showed a credit balance of £39 10s 10d. During the year 1866 books have been taken out on loan and 69 new books had been added.