Mexborough and Swinton Times, January 21,  1938

New Rifle Club at Wath
Facilities for Manvers Main Employees
Directors’ Generous Gift

Remarking that in 1930 the King’s Cup was won at Bisley by a woman, Mrs. O. J. Philipson fired the shot in the Wath Territorial Drill Hall on Tuesday night which opened the new Manvers Main miniature rifle club. The club is the latest idea in the development of the Manvers Main Collieries policy of brighter and better amenities for pit-workers, and with a membership of nearly fifty and the gift of six excellent and expensive rifles it has a bright future.

The rifles were given by Mr. F. C. Hunter, chairman of the Board; Mr. 0. J. Philipson, managing director, Captain K. S. Hunter, Mr. Max Woosnam, Mr. A. T. Thomson, and Mr. J. Stephenson Clark.

The club’s membership is open to all employees, and activities will carry on throughout the year, the half-yearly subscription being 2s. 6d.

At Tuesday’s opening, which was well attended, Mr. P. H. Lloyd, general manager, presided. As commanding officer of the local 188th Battery of the Anti-Aircraft Brigade, he said he was pleased to welcome the rifle club to the Battery’s range.

Mr. Philipson read a message of encouragement from the chairman, Mr. Hunter, and spoke of his hopes for the success of the club. Everyone who had the interests of the country and Empire at heart (and in these days of international complications surely there would be few who did not) must realise the value of rifle shooting, not only as a sport, but also as a help in some small way towards the training of the youth and manhood of the country for any national emergency. He thanked Major Lloyd and the Wath Battery for giving the Manvers club facilities for using their range, and, in the name of the directors and the company, he wished the members all possible success.

Mr E. T. John, safety inspector to the company, proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman and the directors for their support, and expressed special appreciation of the gift of rifles. He spoke of his experience with other companies, and said he had met with none that gave more practical evidence of their interest in the welfare of employees. Mr. H. Breislin seconded.

Mrs. Philipson, before firing the first shot, mentioned that if sufficient support was forthcoming, it was hoped to start a women’s section. She expressed best wishes for the club’s future, and hoped keenness would be shown in practising. She looked in the future to their providing first class teams for national competitions.