South Yorkshire Times December 28, 1968
A Glimpse at the Files Reveals the Story Of 1968 In Retrospect
A review in brief of the items which made our headline news
As 1968 draws to its close, we glance back through the news columns of the “South Yorkshire Times” to note the items which made up the year for people in this industrial corner of the County, records of gay times and tragic events, of notable achievements and failures, which touched their lives or passed them by. Here we recall a cross section in miniature of the local story of the year.
April
Harry S. Taylor, of 3, Winchester Way, South Elmsall, for 10 years a Group Scout Leader, and holder of the Medal of Merit, became the first member In the Pontefract Association, to receive the Silver Acorn for distinguished service to the organisation.
The staff at Mexborough Montagu Hospital through silver paper collections, and donations. provided a second guide dog for the blind and continued the effort to obtain a third dog.
Mr Ernest Teedon of 30, Watson Street, Hoyland Common who celebrated his Golden Wedding anniversary still uses his 1914-1.8 War Army shaving kit.
Mr Stanley John Wild, Ingsfield Lane. Bolton, a member of the British gymnastic team, was married at Wentworth Parish Church to Miss Elizabeth Margaret Broadhead of Wentworth a fellow member of Leeds Athletic Institute Gymnastic Club.
Mr Brian Kirkbyshaw, of Broomfield Road. Stocksbridge, deputy headmaster of Burncross Junior School, Chapeltown, was appointed headmaster at Penistone Springvale Junior and Infants School
Mr. David Rodgers of 58, Ashwood Road, Parkgate, formerly employed at Park Gate Iron and Seel Works for 47 years and a first aid worker for 43 years, was presented with the B.E.M by the Lord Lieutenant of the County. Lord Scarborough
Mr Jack Balmforth (61), who received gifts upon retiring after 24 years as headmaster of Brierley St. Paul’s Church School, was musical director of Barnsley Junior Operatic Society for 20 years and has been organist and choirmaster at Darton Parish Church for 26 years.
Medals of Merit, in recognition of long service to Scouting were presented to Mr. Horace (Jack) Winterbottom (69), Group Scout Leader, Mrs. C. Newbould, lay member, both of Chapeltown, and Mr, R Hill. Group Scout Leader at Elsecar.
Children gave a farewell concert to mark the retirement of Sister Barnadette, Headmistress for 24 years at St. Patrick’s School. Sheffield Lane Top
Mr. and Mrs. John Parker, aged 86 and 85 respectively, of Parson Cross Road, Wadsley Bridge, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.
Mr. Edwin Hambleton, deputy head of South Hiendley Primary School, left to become head at Brierley Church School, where he was a pupil 17 years ago
The holders Mexborough High Terrace, were beaten 2-0 in the final of the Montagu Cup by Swinton Athletic.
May
The re-opening ceremony after redecoration of Stocksbridge Wesley Methodist Church as part of the Centenary celebrations was performed by the oldest member Mr Albert Coultas
Coun A. Hawley, cut the first sod at Oxley Park, Stocksbridge, for the start of the Stocksbridge swimming baths project.
Dr. James R. Armitage and his wife, Mrs. Ruth Armitage, both Independent members of Upton Parish Council for 10 years and of many local organisations, announced that they would be leaving for Withernsea_
Mr. D. Hill, headmaster of Kilnhurst Junior School, was appointed head at Wath Primary School to succeed Mr. D N. Hubbard who has joined Sheffield University staff.
Julie Ellis (14), of Spar Lane, Woodhouse, was chosen to succeed her sister, Susan (16), as Sunday School Queen at Woodhouse Congregational Church.
A few days after his 21st birthday, Mr Trevor Daykin, of Beech Crescent, Mexborough, was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Salvation Army following studies at the William Booth Memorial Training College. London
It was announced that the former Woodhouse Grammar School building empty for four years, was to be re-opened as an annexe for the Richmond College of Further Education
For the first time for over 50 years, there was no Queen’s Coronation festival at St Mary’s Church, Mortomley. High Green.
Four brothers, Bill, George, David and Vincent Hoyle are carrying on the tradition at Elsecar Colliery, where there has always been a member of the family working since the pit opened in 1910.
By winning the N.C.B. National Championship “Mitchell Hedges” Trophy for the fourth time in six years, Grimethorpe Colliery ‘Ambulance Brigade became holders, for the first time in the history of the competitions, of all three premier trophies open to colliery ambulance teams.
Three Independent candidates were returned in elections for Hemsworth Urban Council to break the Labour monopoly and, Labour lost three seats at Mexborough, three at Dearne and two at Swinton.
A dinner was held to mark the winding-up of the Southern Area of the West Riding Civil Defence Corps, and the colours were finally paraded by 200 members
The first headmaster of Wath Grammar School, the Rev. A. T. L. Greer (80), of Quedgeley, Gloucestershire attended a meeting at Strathmore House, Wath, where over 60 Old Wathonians gave him a cordial welcome.
Planning application was made for the use of the fairground site at Beighton for the erection of a new £40,000 club to replace the Miners’ Welfare, accommodated to a building believed to be 100 years old stand.
Mrs Winifred Booth, of Ravenscroft Crescent, Handsworth, a member of Beighton S.J.A.B Nursing Division for over 30 years, was made a Serving Sister of the Order of St. John.
June
Because of the number of 1,280 students due to start at Hemsworth High School in September, the headmaster, Mr. R. Ahlett, presented a scheme for a staggered start so that all pupils could see round the school before assembling together at the end of the first week.
A former Mexborough man, Mr Marshall, Beech, of Yeadon, was elected Vice-President of the National Federation of Newsagents at the annual conference at Torquay
Members of Havercroft Residents Association, who hold a 5-4 majority on Havercroft Parish Council, elected at the annual meeting, a non-member, Mr W E. Littlehoy as chairman.
The new St Michael’s Roman Catholic Church at Wombwell to replace the former Park Street premises damaged by subsidence, was consecrated and opened by the Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Rev. W. G. Wheeler.
A rod and bar mill and rapid heat billet furnace costing £1 million were opened at the Kiveton Park Works of Unbrako Steel Company Ltd.
Thirty young people, mainly Dinnington High School students, staged a 24 hours fast in the new shopping centre precinct at Dinnington. to raise money for Oxfam, organised by teacher. Mr. David Littlewood (24), chairman of the Dinnington Oxfam group
Improvements costing £10.000 to Darnall Community Centre were opened by Ald. P. Jackson, chairman of Sheffield Education Committee.
Included in the list of Birthday Honours Awards were Mr John C. Wilkinson. of Marr Vicarage, retired headmaster and former Mexborough Grammar School student. O.B.E., and Petty Officer Electrical Artificer. Fred Walker (43), of Dovecliffe Road, Wombwell, who has completed 25 years in the Royal Navy, the B.E.M.
The Rev. G. A. Saxton, Vicar of Hoylandswaine for three years, retired after 50 years’ service in the Ministry.
Tinsley Viaduct, carrying the new M1 Motorway over the Don Valley was opened with six miles of the new road extending to the A.61 interchange at Tankersley.
The Rev. Dr. William H Crapper, Ph.D., D.D., made his first return trip from America for 50 years to his birthplace, at Aston and preached at Lodge Lane Methodist Church.
Mr. Sidney Powlett Smith, chairman of Wentworth Local Association of Scouts for 13 years, was presented with the Medal of Merit
The village Primary School at Midhopestone, near Stocksbridge, with 12 scholars, aged between five and 12, was scheduled for close-ure at the end of the summer term.
Mrs. Winifred senior, of Chapel Street, Wath, retired after spending all her teaching career at Cortonwood Infants’ School, Brampton.
September
Over 3,500 people attended Bolsterstone st. Mary’s Church Flower Festival and contributed £300 towards the final £5,000 installment needed for the church roof repair.
The Rev. David Watson, curate, conducted his last service at Rawmarsh Parish Church Harvest Evensong before leaving to take a post in Zululand.
The Rev. Graham Allred Tennant, Methodist Minister at Wath