South Yorkshire Times, Saturday, December 31st 1949
Do You Remember?
Some Outstanding Events of 1949
What do you remember of 1949 ? Its glorious summer (second crops of strawberries in October), its political activity in expectation, of an early (general Election, the coming of television, National Savings W eek? the “Roses” centenary cricket dinner in Sheffield. . .
Here are a few of South Yorkshire’s notable events.
Snow In January
There was snow in January. The month saw several Sunday film inquiries, notably in Penistone and Wortley Rural areas. Denaby Halt was closed as a railway station, and the Thomas Hill Youth centre at Denaby was formally opened. A. £1,000 appeal was launched in Mexborough to help save the Parish Church and St. George’s Church roofs from decay and the ravages of the death watch beetle. There were long service badges for veteran mineworkers.
February
Mining note of interest in February came from Wath Main, where pit ponies were reintroduced to help increase production.
April
In April came news that production was to be resumed at Parkhill brickworks, Wombwell.
A draft scheme for amalgamation was announced between Mexborough and Conisbrough urban areas.
Political note: the Socialists lost control of the West Riding County Council,
The Sisters’ Lych Gate entrance to Creighton Woods, Swinton, was opened by Miss E.K.L. Harrop, joint donor.
It was reported that a potential opencast site was being prospected in a 200 acre stretch of agricultural land between Bolton railway station brickworks and Modern School.
Yorkshire Colts beat Notts Second team at Wath in a two-day Minor Counties cricket fixture.
July
Filming, for ” The March of Time” was carried out at Barnburgh.
The North Eastern Division of the N.C.B. held its first annual angling match.
It was announced that Wath were to have further boundary talks with Swinton, following the proposals of the County Boroughs.
In Conisbrough came a joint baths proposal with Mexborough.
Honorary degrees were conferred at Sheffield University on Col. W. Mackenzie Smith and Mrs. Emily Wragg. Col. and Lady Mabel Smith celebrated their Golden Wedding.
August
In August came the announcement that revised proposals by the West Riding County Council for their school development plan for the Mexborough Education Division would push the total estimated expenditure to near £3,000,000.
There were further opencast development. It was announced that the Ministry of Fuel and Power expected a potential opencast coal site at Top Fold, Old Denaby, would yield 34,000 tons.
September
New pithead baths were opened at Cortonwood Colliery.
Wath Youth Advisory Council decided to ask the Urban Council to call a meeting of local representative bodies to discuss the formation of a community centre.
A revolution in church interior decorating, involving cherry red for pews, ivory white for ceilings, walls and pillars, and indigo blue for the exterior of the church doors and porch, was commenced at Bolton Parish Church.
October – T.V. Aerial
October saw a National Savings week throughout the country. As a foretaste of things to come, Hoy-land Urban Council gave permission for one of their tenants to erect a television aerial at his home. Considerable political activity began in view of a promise of an early General Election. A “Roses” cricket centenary dinner was held in Sheffield
The wonderful summer weather was responsible for freaks, and gardens in Wombwell yielded second crops of strawberries
It was announced that the National Coal Board were planning to concentrate Manvers Main, Wath Main, Kilnhurst, and Barnburgh Main collieries. Vast plans would involve an expenditure of approximately £4,000,000.
The Northern Lights were reported to have been seen in many parts of South Yorkshire.
Mexborough Rotary Club planted two copper beech trees in Mexborough Parish churchyard to commemorate their Silver Jubilee.
It was announced that the Ministry of Food has decided to make Mexborough, Conisbrough, Swinton, Wath, Dearne, Wombwell and Darfleld one group for Food Office administration, and that the new scheme would come into force as from January 1st, 1950.
For their Christmas “bull” week, South Yorkshire miners achieved the highest area targets since nationalisation. Eighteen thousand men from the nine pits in the Mexborough and Dearne areas received wage packets £200,000.
The inauguration of Sutton Coldfield television station aroused wide interest, and television Pioneers in this area reported satisfactory reception. Some dealers were besieged by would-be purchasers for sets.
Wath Main miners on Christmas Eve held their annual carol service down the pit.
The worst supply season for turkeys since 1939 was reported in the South Yorkshire area.
The district enjoyed the mild Christmas weather.