Archived Extracts

Children's anniversary services were held at the Gospel Mission Church on Sunday, the preacher being Miss Cullbine, of Mansfield. Recitations and solos were rendered by Miss H. Hardy, Wilfred Gregory, Bernard Whawell, Rhoda Turner, Doris Wilson, Edwin Buxton, Misses C. Hardy, M. Robinson, V. Hardy, M. Slack and M. Gunby. The children were conducted by Mr. P. Hardy, who had trained them for the occasion, and the organist was Mr. G. Goodman, of Pilsley. A number of favourite hymns were sung by the children, and the offertories amounted to £1 10s.

"Splinters in the Navy," showing at the Lyric Theatre this week-end, is an irresistibly funny production by the same chorus party who made "Splinters in the Army" such a success. Sydney Howard is the chief laughter-maker. ... Also on the week-end programme is "South of Sonora," one of Buffalo Bill (junior) series.

On Thursday afternoon a number of the members of last winter's class in local history, organised by the Miners' Welfare Adult Education Joint Committee, met the tutor (Mr. H. Green) to make a tour of the objects of interest which Huthwaite has to offer to students of local history. Having first visited the Church, which, though modern, has its own interesting story, the party proceeded to the premises of Mr. Taylor, who kindly gave permission to inspect and photograph an old stocking frame in his possession. Great interest was taken in the remains of coal mines which were worked in the nineteenth century but are now disused. Some of the older members of the Class were able to give very useful information on the methods of working these mines and of ventilating them. The stone "sleepers" of the old tramway which led from "Deadwater" Pit to the canal at Pinxton were followed for some distance. All agreed that the walk had been both enjoyable and instructive. The ramble was arranged by Mr. T. Bradley, the Class Secretary, assisted by members of the Class.

  Short time working at many collieries had its reflection in the statistics presented on Friday at the 197th quarterly meeting of the Board of Management of the Midland District Miners' Fatal Accident Relief Society. Lieut. Col. R.E. Martin presided, and representatives attended from the various local agencies in Derbyshire, Notts., Leicestershire and Warwickshire.
  The membership was returned at 65,937, a decrease of 420 during the quarter. Three married and four single members had died, as compared with 16 and seven respectively in the previous quarter. Three widows and six children thereby became entitled to benefit. One widow remarried, four widows died, and the allowance to 10 children terminated by attainment of the specified age.
  There were now in receipt of benefit 695 widows, a decrease of two; six widowed mothers, an unchanged number; and 515 children, a decrease of 11. The income for the quarter amounted to £5,926, of which £3,598 was in members' contributions, and the balance in interest. Expenditure totalled £3,684, including £122 in funeral allowances, £3,528 in annuities, £10 on remarriage allowances, and £14 in allowances upon death of widow and children.

  The balance carried to the credit of the benefit fund was £2,241, as compared with £2,137 in the previous quarter, and the bank balance stood at £3,003, as against £5,738. Under the supplementary benefit scheme £2,186 had been received, including £1,783 in members' contributions, and £1,483 in annuities. The income was £34 and the expenditure £76 less than in the previous three months.
  The Chairman mentioned that 1,583 fewer members had been at risk for the whole of the quarter, and that short time was wholly responsible for the decrease in membership and contributions. It had to be borne in mind when considering the application of the funds that, although there was no occasion for alarm, the contributions were insufficient to pay the various benefits, under the rules, and the differences had to be met from the income from investments.
  Col. Martin was unanimously re-elected as chairman, and Mr. Sewell as vice-chairman.
  The Board was informed that the Government offer for conversion of the Five per Cent. War Loan had been accepted by the trustees, the society's holding being £10,231. Instructions were given for the investment of a further £ 2,500, the sum of £3,500 having been invested during the past quarter at 3½ per Cent. Conversion Loan.
  Application was made for benefit for the widow and two children of a Bentinck Colliery members who, suffering from depression as a result of weakness caused by an accident while at work, committed suicide. The Consultative Committee recommended that a grant of £50 should be made, but this was rejected in favour of an amendment to place the widow and children on the funds.