South Yorkshire Times, December 15, 1951
Denaby Surface Officials’ Gift to Colleague
Denaby Colliery surface officials had an enjoyable dinner and musical evening at the Green Tree Inn, Hatfield Woodhouse, on Wednesday, when excellent entertainment was provided by Mr. D Spink (baritone) and Miss Betty Brook (soprano), both of Thurnscoe, and Mr H Tyas assisted on the drum in the musical selections.
Mr. R. Miller (Mechanical Engineers) presided and during the evening and an interesting ceremony took place when on behalf of the officials and some employees at the Denaby Colliery he made a presentation of a wristlet watch to Mr H.W. Gillott, who recently retired from the position of Electrical Engineer at Denaby Colliery.
Mr Gillett had given 52 years service at the local collieries, and it was a pleasure, Mr Miller said, to have the opportunity of making the presentation of a wristlet watch as a small token of their good wishes for his health and happiness in his retirement. He had not enjoyed very good health in the last few months of his working time, but they all hoped that with the rest he could now take his health would improve and thus enjoy his future years.
It was Interesting to note that Mr Gillott assisted to install one of the first electric winders in England and that was in the Parkgate Seam at the Denaby Colliery, and he wound the first skip of coal from that seen on the new winder in 1912.
Mr Gillott replied and said how much he appreciated the gift.
Mr W.C.Thomson (Yard Foreman at Denaby Colliery) also paid tribute to Mr Gillott and he also expressed the wish that these periodical social gatherings of the officials and their wives would continue; he thought it was a good thing to be able to meet under such congenial circumstances and spent a happy evening together.
It was unanimously agreed to consider the suggestion.