Archived Extracts

Mr. E. Lee, of Pleasley, and formerly of Huthwaite, was the preacher at the Sherwood Street Methodist Church on Sunday. In the afternoon he addressed the juniors on the subject "The Fourth Wise Man."

Mrs. N. Evans, of Northbank, Sutton Road, is still confined to her bed with a badly sprained left ankle which she sustained on Christmas Day through slipping down in the bedroom. It was an unfortunate accident on the most festive day of the year, but we are glad to state that Mrs. Evans is making good progress. Her husband is organist of the Sherwood Street Methodist Church and both are valued church workers.

On New Year's Eve a dance was held in the Drill Hall by the New Hucknall Ambulance Division on behalf of the New Uniform Fund. A seasonable touch was given to the proceedings by a large Christmas tree in the centre of the floor, and a gathering of 70 dancers had an enjoyable time. All tastes were catered for by the inclusion of old and new dances in the programme, and the music was supplied by the Boston Five Orchestra. The M.C.'s were Messrs. R. Beighton, T. Monk and A. Trennam, and the refreshments were provided by Mrs. Slack and helpers. The dance terminated a little before midnight, and the usual greetings and felicitations went at twelve o'clock.

A concert for the Huthwaite Unemployed to provide funds for games, which are now in full swing in the Library Hall, and are well patronised, was well attended. The programme was as follows: Cornet duet, Messrs. Hinks and Cooper; piano solo, Mr. Baines; solo, Mr. T. Chapman; duet, Messrs. T.C. and J. Stones; cornet solo, Mr. Cooper; cornet solo, Mr. T. Chapman; song Mr. Heppinstall; cornet duets; community singing; cornet duet; duet, Messrs. T. Chapman and J. Stones; song, Mr. Horace Bradley; song, Mr. T.C. Chapman.

A New Year's party was held in the Sherwood Street Methodist Schoolroom on Saturday. The 50 members present were chiefly the organisers and helpers in the recent bazaar, and the gathering was partly in the nature of a celebration of its success. A sumptuous tea was provided by lady members and subsequently a very pleasant time was spent in the decorated rooms. The diversions included games, community singing and radio selections, among which was the ringing of midnight from "Big Ben." Then all hands were joined while, "Auld Lang Syne" was sung, and greetings exchanged. Those who officiated as pianists, games organisers and radio operator were Miss Hawley, Messrs. Jack Purseglove, Robert Purseglove and J. Brandreth.

The New Year was ushered in without any extraordinary ceremonies. Church bells and local "blowers" gave the usual welcome to January 1st, 1933. There were a few people in the streets at midnight, but they hardly had time to exchange joyful greetings before pelting rain drove them indoors. The New Year can hardly be said to have started with particularly bright prospects in many ways, but one can always go on hoping, and that whatever hopes we have may develop into something solid, substantial and permanent is the hope of the writer. In passing, it may be mentioned that on Saturday night the wireless allowed many people to hear the new year welcomed in a number of continental capitals before it arrived at their own country. "Listening-in" was a popular pastime on Saturday night.

On Sunday afternoon a special carol service was given by a number of Sunday School children in the Parish Church. There was a good congregation, a feature of the event being the solos, one of which was from the "Messiah," of Miss Dorothy Allen, L.R.A.M., A.R.C.M. Her singing was worthy of a very high tribute. The Rev. W.A. Boulton presided, and commented upon the excellence of the singing and thanked the organisers. The service included the following items.... The Sunday School teachers were responsible for the service, and the proceeds were for the Sunday School Fund. The choir of about 35 voices were directed by Mrs. Gascoigne.

  Though for the quarter ending November 30th the wage percentage in the Notts. coalfield reached a figure of 139.75, which is 1.75 above the minimum fixed by the agreement with the Notts. and District Miners' Industrial Union, wages for this month will remain the same level as in December.
  The surplus which in normal circumstances would have gone towards wage increases, has to be allocated to reduce the deficiency which has accumulated since April. The surplus will reduce it by £18,538, which leaves a net deficiency to date of £785,460, to be carried forward to the next ascertainment. These facts were submitted to a meeting of the Notts. and District Miners' Wages Board, held at the Victoria Station Hotel, Nottingham, on Monday.
  It was also reported that the tonnage raised during the quarter was 3,170,777, and the total manshifts 2,394,054. The output per man per shift at the coal face equalled 63,63 cwt., and for all men employed 26.49 cwt. For November alone the average output for both men at the coal face and for all men employed created a record. In the case of coalface men the figure was 64.85 cwt., and for all men employed 27.03 cwt.
  The average wage per shift during the quarter was 10s. 5.93d., and the selling price of coal at the pithead averaged 12s. 10.30d. per ton. Wage costs amounted to 7s. 11.08d., and other costs 3s. 5.04d. The profits thus averaged 1s. 6.18d. per ton. During November, which was a record month for individual output, the production costs were also a very low figure, being on 7s. 10.09d. as wage costs, and 3s. 4.99d. for other costs.