Denaby Pensioners Party – Don Valley M.P. on Coal Question

January 1936

Mexborough and Swinton Times January 3, 1936

“No Need for stoppage”
Don Valley M.P. on Coal Question
Denaby Pensioners Party

There was a hearty reunion of the “old warriors of the mining brigade,” as Mr Tom Williams, M.P., one of the speakers put it, at the Denaby Welfare Hall on Monday, when nearly 400 pensioners and their wives gathered at the annual treat given to retired workmen of the Denaby and Cadeby collieries.

The old folk were entertained to an excellent tea. Music was supplied by a small orchestra, and an entertainment followed in the evening.

Pipes and tobacco were distributed to the men, and the women received packets of tea. There was also provided the necessary refreshment for the pensions to toast each other with “Happy New Year.”

Eloquent Figures

Mr B Pickering, agent of the collieries and chairman of the Mutual Help Fund committee, who presided, gave some interesting details of the fund which helped veteran miners live in comfortable retirement. The scheme was inaugurated in 1925 when there was 37 members. Membership had steadily increased and there were now 250 members.

The workmen at the collieries contributed 3d for every pound earned, and the colliery company contributed £2000 annually. (£1000 for either pit). The present weekly disbursements were over £120, and the total amount paid in pension since the inauguration of the fund was over £41,111.

In addition 1053 loads of coal were granted to pensioners during the year, bringing the total since the funds inception to 6771 loads. During the war 37 new members had joined

With reference to the treat, thanks were due to the Colliery Company and the home coal carting committee for providing funds to cover the expenses, to the Welfare committee for providing the room, and entertainment and a contribution towards the refreshment, and to Mr T Grayson, for the gift of pipes.

Mr Pickering expressed thanks to the members of the Mutual Help Fund committee “for very loyal service in the administration of the fund.” He concluded by expressing the hope that the evening of the lives of these old workmen would be filled with the comfort and happiness they deserved.

“Looking Younger.”

Mr Tom Williams said that he had attended this function two years ago. This year they were all looking Younger. This scheme which brought sunshine into the autumn the local miner’s lives made all the difference. The fund enabled them to live comfortably and help them to keep warm in their homes. Those responsible for originating the scheme were to be highly complimented for their initiative. It was a scheme which might well be copied throughout the country, and it would indeed be well if they could find happy gathering of that nature throughout the coal industry, brought about by the united efforts of both sides. He hoped that some Government someday would make similar provision for retired miners as was already made for civil servants.

The coal mining industry was under a cloud at the present time. He hoped that wisdom would characterise the deliberations just ahead. There was no need for a stoppage.

Mr Norman Hulley, manager of the Denaby Main Colliery, said that the directors were extremely proud to be associated with such a scheme as the pension scheme, whereby appreciation could be shown of years of splendid service. Mr Williams had said that the coal mining industry was the “Cinderella” of industry, and he (Mr Hulley) would describe the pension fund as the “Fairy Godmother.”

Last Appearance

Mrs G Dunnington, representing the Transport and Gen Workers Union, who has been visited for several years said that this would probably be his final appearance. He, too, was to retire. The scheme was a pattern for all industries. No similar scheme existed in any of the other 39 industries with which he was connected. He hoped it would at least spread through the coal industry. Mr Dunnington said he recognised many old faces, but he missed Mr George (“Tashy”) Smith.

Mr C Bashforth and Mr W Shacklock, thank the colliery company on behalf of the pensioners.

Other speakers were Mr Ben Gethen, vice-chairman of the committee, and Mr Ben Roberts, who pointed out that the committee provided a reserve fund so that in the event of the coal mining stoppage, the weekly “pensions” would be continued.

Mrs. Spruce was M.C. at the entertainment which followed.