Story Of 1968 In Retrospect – Quarter 4

December 1968

South Yorkshire Times December 28, 1968

A Glimpse at The Files Reveals The Story Of 1968 In Retrospect

A review in brief of the items which made our headline news

As 1968 draws to its close, we glance back through the news columns of the “South Yorkshire Times” to note the items which made up the year for people in this industrial corner of the County, records of gay times and tragic events, of notable achievements and failures, which touched their lives or passed them by. Here we recall a cross section in miniature of the local story of the year.

October

Crane Moor village, near Penistone, lost its only public house when the 250 years old Rock inn was closed by the brewery company upon the retirement of licensee. Mr. Eric Butterley

John Michael Bettney of Chapeltown, a former student of Ecclesfield G.S. and Lancaster University, gained a place at the Karl Marx Stradt University at Dresden, East Germany,

Linda Jacques (20) of Woodhouse Mill, won the 200 gns. trophy of the Incorporated Guild of Hairdressers Championship competition open to entrants from all over England

Former South Elmsall schoolboy footballers, John Radford, of Arsenal, and Peter Knowles, Wolves, were chosen as the right wing pair for the England under-23 team against Wales.

Mrs. Ethel Whitehead, widow, of 3. Milton Street Wombwell, made her first flight at the age of 80 to spend a holiday with her grand-daughter in Canada

A £200,000 project to open new drifts was announced to ensure that Frickley Colliery, currently the top production pit in Yorkshire, with 30,000 tons weekly, should have ample coal reserves.

After an accident-free driving career of over 63 years since obtaining his first licence as a chauffeur in 1905, Mr. Andrew Newton (86), of 20, Rowley Lane. South Eimsall, decided not to renew his insurance, although his licence does not expire until 1970

For the use of the Rev. Robert Parsons, newly-appointed curate at Chapeltown, an anonymous donor provided a new £3,300 semi-detached house at Housley Park, rent free for as long as the donor did not require it.

At Centenary celebration services of Stockbridge C. of E Junior and infants’ School, a commemorative scroll was received jointly by Mrs. Frances M. Lyons (88), widow, one of the oldest pupils, and Heather Marsh (5), one of the youngest.

The head boy at Mexborough Grammar School, Stephen Ian Gutowski, of 96, Goodwin Crescent, Swinton, at the age of 16, gained a place at Clare College, Cambridge, but hopes first to serve for a year in the Voluntary Overseas Service

Miss M Hodgson, of Lundhill Road, Wombwell, who has taught at Wombwell Kings Road Primary School since 1929 and Mr Goldthorpe. of Staincross, at the school since 1933 both announced that they would retire next Easter.

A £90,000 Church school for junior boys and girls was opened and dedicated at the Royd Deepcar.

Richard John Bird, of While Lane, Chapeltown, sailed aboard the survey ship John Briscoe to the Antarctic for a two years’ spell as cook for the British survey team of 30 men

Park Gate Iron and Steel works exported a record amount of 66,697 tons of steel during the year ended September 30th.

Mrs. Valerie Peat, of Clayton Lane, Thurnscoe, equalled the British sprint record of her tutor, Miss Dorothy Hyman, at the Olympic Gaines in Mexico, although not reaching the final, while Sheila Shirley, formerly Sheila Parkin, Yew Lane Grenoside School student, gained the Silver Medal in the long Jump. A third local member of the British party, Stan Wild, of 39, Cortonwood Lane. Nether Haugh, a teacher at Swinton Comprehensive School, achieved his personal best performance.

November

Mr. John Walker of 19, Rose Grove, Wombwell, completed 60 years as a member of Wombwell Parish Church Choir.

Mrs. Martha Conyers, formerly for 62 years at Cross Street, Woodhouse, celebrated her 98th birthday at the home of her daughter and son-in-law at Farm Crescent. Mosborough.

The 40 years old South Kirkby Cinema, which became a bingo hall five years ago, was reopened as a cinema with a showing of “The Sound of Music.”

Representatives from 19 Sunday schools took part in the Wombwell and District Sunday School Unions’ festival of music and art, and chief trophy winners were Broomhill Methodist Church.

A new long playing record produced by Grimethorpe Colliery Band entitled “Hymns you loved” comprised 17 hymn tunes

The last service was held at Upper Haugh Methodist Church, near Rawmarsh, which was closed owing to lack of support

David Coates, of Windsor Street, Thurnscoe, aged 18, shared the title of top apprentice jockey with 40 whiners in only his second season.

A modern concert room to accommodate 350, and lounge, were added to Hoyland Nether W.M.C.

Leaders of industry, commerce, the Scout movement and many other organisations attended the funeral service at Sheffield Cathedral of Sir Harold West, former managing director of Messrs. Newton Chambers and Co. Ltd., former Master Cutler and former County Commissioner for Scouts.

At the annual meeting of the South Yorkshire County Scout Council it was reported that a further gift of £5,000 had been received from Sir Stuart Goodwin.

Due to recent coal producing records it was announced the life of Wath Main Colliery would be extended for a further eight years.

Paper refuse sacks introduced earlier at Rawmarsh had to be placed in dustbins, salvaged from old houses. in order to protect them from scavenging animals who had damaged the sacks and scattered the contents.

Coun. George Ward, of South Lane, Wales, received his third Official recognition of the year, the Civil Defence Long Service Medal, following the award in January of the B.E.M. and in May the honour of Serving Brother of the Order of St. John.

A new £15,000 Brierley Ex-Servicemen’s Club, converted from the former Church Institute and including a concert, hall to seat 200 people was officially opened.

Mr. Derek Mirfin, a native of Sheffield, was adopted as prospective Parliamentary Liberal Candidate for Penistone Division.

December

A booklet was prepared by Mr. Raymond Lloyd to be ready for Christmas to mark the Centenary, next February, of Swinton Bridge Methodist Church, before the closure scheduled for March.

Pilley residents decided at a public meeting to refuse to pay increased water charges until they were notified that the water was fit to drink without having to be boiled, a situation which has applied since 1965.

Penistone Urban Council decided at d public meeting to call a halt to most forms of housing development apart from provision of aged people’s bungalows.

Tenants of N.C.B. houses at Upton, South Elmsall and South Kirkby were notified that rent increases varying from 2s. 9d to 6s. a week would become operative in the New Year

Eric Probert, aged 16 of South Kirkby made his debut for Burnley in a First Division match against Arsenal

Miss Angela Wilkinson (20), of Molineaux Road, Shiregreen, was the first girl trade unionist to win the prize for the best technical trainee at Firth Brown Ltd.

At the age of 10, Shane Moore, only son of Mr and Mrs A Moore, of 31. Quest Avenue, Hemingfield, passed the examination for the gold medal of the Amateur Swimming Association in personal survival after having gained the bronze and silver awards within the last year

One of the stewardesses on the maiden voyage of the Queen Elizabeth II will be Miss Barbara Ward, daughter of Mrs. 0. Ward, 42, Burntwood Drive, South Kirkby, who began her career at sea in 1964 and previously served on the Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, Mauretania and Carmanla.

Mr. J A. Wilkinson. Deputy head at Shiregreen Junior School for five years, was appointed headmaster of Woodhouse East School

Mr. Wesley Elliott, of 58, Station Road, Darnall, who for 32 years has walked daily to and from his work at Sandersons and Newbould Attercliffe, three miles away, also walked to the premises to receive a gold medal on completion of 50 years’ service

Mr. George Hawkins, of Wales, head of the arts and crafts department at Dinnington High School, retired after 40 years of teaching.