Local News – Jubilee accident – Street betting

May 1935

Mexborough and Swinton Times May 10 1935

Jubilee accident

One unfortunate result of the Jubilee celebrations is the loss of his right hand by Raymond Longley (12), of Ivanhoe Road, Conisborough.

Along with other boys, he was on Northcliffe Hills, the scene of the firework display of Monday. Debris was being cleared and burned in a fire there.

Longley, along with another boy named Croft, came across an unexploded firework. Longley ignited the firework at the fire and there was a terrific bang. He screamed with pain and Croft was blown over, happily escaping with shock.

Longley’s hand was very badly mutilated and his face was injured. He was quickly removed to the Fullerton hospital. In addition to the loss of the hand, the site of the right eye is impaired.

Street betting

An unemployed Denaby man, Thomas Sugden, was fined £1 at Doncaster on Tuesday for street betting at Mexborough and May 2nd.

Sugden pleaded guilty and stated he had been doing street betting only a week. “I am an ex-serviceman and I have served a good many years in the Army. I cannot get work. Every time I try every job I am asked,’ how old are you? 53 years of age? Too old!’ I have served under Queen Victoria, King Edward and King George, and now I cannot get work at all.”

The chairman (Mr.N. Nokes): We know you have got to live, old chap, and in the circumstances that bench will be as lenient as possible.”

Defendant was fined as stated