South Yorkshire Times, October 22, 1949

Wath Main Men’s Objection

0n behalf of the Wath Main N.U.M. branch, Coun. A. Beattie (branch president) informed the “South Yorkshire Times” last night that Wath Main men desired to register their strong objections to the proposals contained in the Manvers – Wath – Kilnhurst – Barnburgh pit centralisation scheme in so far as they affect Wath Main.

With this object in view, he Added, Colin. J. Kelly (secretary), Mr. Walter Rawlinson (delegate) and himself, were to meet Mr. J. A. Hall (Yorkshire area miners’ president) at Barnsley to-morrow (Saturday), to obtain advice and to ask him to support Wath Main men in their objections

Coun. Beattie added that two years ago, when the question of Wath Main’s future was discussed at a largely-attended mass meeting of the men in the pit canteen, Mr. Hall gave the branch a promise that before there was any reorganisation at the pit to cause any redundancy he would have something to say about it.

Coun. Beattie announced that a special meeting of the branch would be held in the Wath Pavilion on Sunday at 11 a.m., when a report on the suggested scheme and the outcome of the visit to Barnsley would be given the men.