South Yorkshire Times April 23rd, 1960
Rumbler Was Missed
Peeling by Hand Caused Blisters in the Kitchen
It was “like being in the Army” for the cooks at Conisbrough Northcliffe School. They complained of blisters when thousands of potatoes and apples had to be peeled by hand.
Cause of all the trouble?
A potato rumbler, taken away for repair had not been returned, after more than six weeks.
An education official’s only comment was -The Divisional Education Officer will be investigating the matter fully and reporting back to the next meeting of the Divisional Executive.”
Coun. David Sheldon. a member of Conisbrough Urban Council, who raised the question at the last meeting of the Executive, told the “South Yorkshire Times”, “It seems a mystery where the rumbler has got to”.
He added. “There are about 12 employed in the kitchen, and they played pop-up about having to peel the potatoes. It must have caused them a lot of trouble, and I received complaints about blistered fingers.’
Shop Aid Idea
One member of the Executive suggested that the kitchen staff should ask a local fish shop to help n the peeling operations. The nearest shop to the school, however, was half a mile away, and no action was taken.
It is estimated that the Department serves about 400 meals a day, and over a thousand potatoes. The ‘nightmare” ended last week, however, with the advent of the summer holidays.
Mr. Sheldon went on, “In my opinion there should have been spare equipment standing by, in preparation for something like this.”
A member of the kitchen star staff agreed with our reporter that was like being in the Army. The„ blisters were a bit troublesome.,
Mrs. Skelton, cook-in-charge at the school, refused to comment the matter. “It is up to the committee. The machine broke and they had to be done by and that’s all,” she said.