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January, 1960

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The theme of the 7th Annual Report issucd by the Coal Industry Welfare Organisation is posed by its opening sentence, taken from the well-known television game, "Is there an end product?" The Report shows in words and pictures that there is an end product, and a lively and vigorous one, in the work of social welfare for the mineworkers.

In 1958 the Organisation spent £743,000 on recreational building work and £151,000 on recreation ground layout. In Scotland, a miners’ social welfare centre to serve the Lothians District was opened at Bilston, Midlothian. This is a major project which has seized the imagination of Scottish mineworkers. It provides facilities for indoor bowls, swimming and other activities. A magnificent hall, seating 1,200 people, is equipped with a modern stage, and will be used for dancing and dramatic productions. Other schemes opened in 1958 in Scotland included a social centre and bowling green at Danderhall, community centres at Bedlay, New Crumnock, and Auchinleck, and a social centre at Lesmahagow.

In Northern (N. & C.) Division, a new welfare hall was opened at Hazlerigg (Coxlodge); this is already proving to be a boon for the local community. Other work completed in this Division included an extension to the Moresby Parks miners’ welfare scheme, new tennis courts at three schemes, football grounds at three schemes, cricket pitches at two schemes and a new bowling green. A new welfare hall and gymnasium is under construction at Ashington "Hirst".

Work completed in Durham included a new welfare hall at Elemore, extensions to two existing schemes, sports pavilions at three schemes, three bowling greens and four tennis courts. Further amenities, including a roller-skating rink at Shotton and an extension to a social welfare hall at Vane Tempest, were under construction.

In North-Eastern Division, youth club buildings were completed at Brodswortb and Rockingham and an old people’s centre at Kilnhurst. The latter project has been particularly welcomed because of the high proportion of old people living in the village. In this Division, extensions were completed to four existing schemes. Sports grounds are underconstruction at Rawmarsh and Woolley, a new pavilion at the Grimethorpe recreation ground and an old people’s centre at Maltby.

A new institute at Sutton Manor in North-Western Division is under construction. This will replace an old dilapidated building which has been in use since 1922. A new pavilion is being provided at Atherton.

In the East Midlands, a new institute was opened during 1958 at Bilsthorpe. An extension to an existing scheme at Annesley was completed and a brick-built pavilion was opened at Skegby, to replace a wooden structure destroyed by fire. An institute and changing rooms were provided at Moira and new sports pavilions were completed at Ibstock, Measham and Bretby. A former billiards hall at Rainworth is being adapted for use as a boys’ club. A new block of 71 chalets has been provided at the Derbyshire Miners’ Holiday Centre at Skegness. New institutes were completed at Duckmanton and Ripley.

In the West Midlands, an old people’s centre was opened at Cannock and youth club premises at Dordon and Chatterley-Whitfield. New clubhouses were completed at two schemes; a football stand, cricket pavilion and various improvements at other existing schemes. A netball pitch is under construction at the Coventry Colliery and Keresley scheme and a roller-skating rink at Arley.

Three new welfare halls were opened in SouthWestern Division. At Croespenmaen, Monmouthshire, the initial site work for the hall seating 300 persons was undertaken by voluntary labour. At Pantyffordd, every household in this mining village contributed £1 towards the new hall and here also, a large part of the work was done voluntarily. The hall is being used for drama and other activities; a women’s section is enthusiastically supported and every household contributes 6d. a week towards maintenance costs of the hall. At Trefechan, an isolated village bordering on the Brecon Beacons, a prefabricated hall has been provided; there are no similar amenities for some miles around. In this Division, a new cinema hall has been provided at Pontlottyn to replace an old dilapidated structure and a recreation ground was opened at Whitecroft in the Forest of Dean. Extensions to two institutes and new pavilions at two recreation grounds were also completed.

In South-Eastern Division, a stewards’ bungalow was provided at the Chislet miners’ welfare scheme. A new welfare ball is to be provided at Elvington and preparations are in hand for youtb club premises at Mill Hill.

Apart from the provision of these buildings and recreation grounds, the physical amenities of social welfare, the Report also gives an account of the real end product — the activities which centre in and around them, and give them life. Most cultural and sporting pursuits are well catered for.

The section on Youth Work shows that the Organisation continues to put particular stress on this part of its work.

The Report concludes with an account of the miners’ rehabilitation service, convalescent homes, and of the awards made under the Scholarship and Students’ Exhibitions Schemes.