1939

January

We begin in 1939 as Councillor Tom Hill designs and builds an air raid shelter. and a felled chimney signals the end of the glass bottle Works at Conisbrough
We see photos of the Pit Pensioners at their annual treat and children at a Labour Party treat.
The newspaper tells us of how a couple of Children ‘grubbed’ for food in dustbins and a farmer who added water to Milk
a local hero is traced by the press and a mother gave her baby camphorated oil by mistake
An excellent Church Operatic Group are reviewed by the ‘Times’ and a rare book is unearthed and relates a menu of a feast in 1321.
Denaby’s worst ever season continues with a 10 – 0 thrashing at Tickhill Square.
There are floods,snow ice and fog throughout the valley

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February

In February 1939 four workers narrow escape
when a Chimney falls prematurely,
And five people escape when a saloon car hits a tram standard
The Council debate the Conisborough Ferry
and the sinking of ‘Tashy’.
And a Conisborough Octogenarian has lived in the same house for 71 years
A woman dashes into a blazing house to save her daughter
but her baby is burned to death
A good deed results in the destruction of the Denaby ‘Rage’ farmhouse
and a Patheologist tells us about the body of a Cadeby Miner
Denaby United continue their worst ever season
with a 17-0 defeat at the seaside
and the ‘Times’ sports editor gets married

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March

In March 1939, Conisborough was scheduled as a danger zone as a result of the impending hostilities
A decision against the collieries by the magistrates was taken to the Kings bench and upheld
The Ministry of Health holds an enquiry about Denaby’s sewerage and there’s a power line explosion on Doncaster Road
There’s an impressive Operetta, Dickon the Bedlam at Conisborough Senior School
Colliery Queen scores again at the Denaby Dog Show and there’s boxing fame for a Denaby ‘Terrier’
Denaby United seek financial help as the league losses pile up and get heavier and we visit the Games League Dinner

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April

In April 1939 there’s an aeroplane crash at Clifton and a Farm blazes on Conisborough’s Church Street.
a Denaby 14-year-old Scout is to parade at Windsor Castle and an impressive National Service pageant brings crowds to the streets with the field behind the Lord Conyers packed with gun trailers, army lorries and bombardier’s
The local elections sees the demise of a prominent councillor and a few more upsets
and Denaby United win only their second game of the season ! after shipping another nine goals at Shrewsbury !

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May

We see pictures of days past at the Brick Works & with the Ambulance Men
as the War draws ever closer a realistic A.R.P. display is held in Conisborough
A small boys camping adventure causes a scare
and we read a story about a dog and a cat – and a tortoise
Denaby United’s worst ever season comes to a close
and the Cricket Club are also struggling
Ellis Robinson makes the headlines with Yorkshire
And there’s a May Queen at Station Road and Weddings too.

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June

In June 1939 Epworth Hall is reopened
The German crisis hits a lull and local news is given prominence
The Modern School Girls give a display and School Queens are crowned
and the Salvationists hold the Civic Service
The oldest inhabitant is photographed for the first times
and Ponies and Boys go to London
and a compensation claim tells how a mining injury drove a man insane

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July

In July 1939 Conisborough’s station booking clerk leaves for a future acting Profession
we meet Conisborough’s Rabbit Expert and see the Mona Club’s Trophies
There’s a Modern School party, with a boxing booth and blow football major attractions
The Hospitals
hold their annual Demonstration amid a Scarlet Fever outbreak
and there is a Shotgun suicide at Denaby
And Denaby & Cadeby bowl
out Rockingham for a record low of just 16 runs

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August

August 1939 a St Albans Garden Party provides photos of the many people who attended
We hear stories from Antiquity about the Chair used to rescue a gentleman in 1867 and Joa Budd, well known for ‘Tupping’ Doors
A Conisbrough Youth excels at building model planes while a cyclist has a narrow escape
A sad story of a Denaby man who walks out and commits suicide and the Denaby schoolmasters with 111 years service
Finally, but not to be missed, a full review of Denaby United’s Football staff and Prospects

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September

A Denaby youth is missing and on his return asks; “I’ve not been drowned have I, Mam ?”
The Second World War starts on September 1st 1939 and Conisborough & Denaby are ready with Evacuee Plans and Respirators for Babies
A Octogenerian with a Tricycle relates his recipe for longevity and a Conisborough Man is living well at the ‘White Man’s Grave’
and a Conisborough Curate tells us of his Model Railway Hobby
P.C. Yeomans retires and a suicide ends an ordeal of Pain
A cup finalist sends his thanks to his native village and Ardron scores in a thrilling victory at Frickley
as United include seven new players in their team

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October

In October 1939 a Conisborough 8 year olds alerts the family to a fire
The War preparations intensify, as Hundreds of Air Raid Shelters are to be erected
and petrol rationing and blackouts are in the news and local men begin to join the War and the services
A Conisborough Airman is brought down and interred in Beligum
A youthful naturalist has 107 different varieties of birds eggs
Another suicide, this time the sad story of a young woman with epilepsy
The Worst storm for years brings fireballs and floods and Football is reorganised
A Football wartime competition begins.

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November

in November 1939 An ARP exercise is to be held between Denaby and Bawtry, simulating a crashed plane and gas and incendiary bombs
The stories of soldiers abroad are shown weekly, sons from Denaby and Conisborough and a 51-year-old who is back serving in France
A Conisborough verger retires after 850 weddings
Conisborough remembrance service is held to remember the fallen of the great War
The Council fights for better allowances for soldier’s dependants and a Barmaid’s fatal collapse sees a Conisborough man go to Prison
Denaby United get off to a good start and a former stalwart passes away

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December

In December 1939 the threatened coal strike is averted and the comfort fund is debating whether to provide cash or clothes
We visit the British Legion supper to hear about their excellent year, more Local People join up including a man who took his cornet with him and more brothers and families are in the conflictp
The story of Ironworks
at Conisborough is related and Denaby Catholic Concert’s feature the Dolly family
Denaby United draw at Peterbrough and Conisborough Welfare are unbeaten
and carrying all before them

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