Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation

Extracts from the 1968 Annual Report

Recreational Buildings And Grounds

Gross Expenditure during 1968 on recreational building work amounted to £549,776 and on recreation ground layout to £79,848.

In Scotland, work was completed on a village hall at Annbank, this being grant-aided by the Ayr County Council and the District Council. Other Local Authority sponsored projects grant-aided included a new swimming pool at Bowhill, the provision of community centre facilities at Catrine, and a playing field at Netherthird. Major extensions and improvements were completed at Fallin, Low Water and Ormiston. Work commenced during the year on a new community centre at Tarbolton, new registered club premises at Douglas Water (Rigside), whilst rehabilitation work was undertaken to 19 older miners' welfare schemes.

Work was completed on the drainage system of the golf course at the Backworth Miners' Welfare Scheme in Northern, whilst bar facilities and furnishings were provided at North Walbottle and Seaton Burn Miners' Welfare Schemes. The children's playground area at Shilbottle Miners' Welfare Scheme was redeveloped to provide facilities for junior soccer. At Linton Miners' Welfare Scheme, a new floor was laid in the cinema building making it suitable for dancing and general usage. At Backworth Miners' Welfare Scheme work is proceeding to replace the roof which was severely damaged following a fire. Other work commenced but not completed during the year included the provision of bar facilities and furnishings at Bomarsand Miners' Welfare Scheme and the creation of a roadway from the main road to Seaton Burn Miners' Welfare Scheme.

The Morrison Busty Social Welfare Centre in Durham, adjacent to the recreation ground, providing main hall, bar, club room, kitchen and full changing facilities for the various sporting activities, was opened in July. A new social welfare centre, with ballroom, stage, refreshment room and recreation rooms, was also opened at the Horden Miners' Welfare Scheme. Other work completed included a refreshment room with kitchen at Vane Tempest Miners' Welfare Scheme, improvements to the playing fields at Harton and Westoe, Boldon and the South Hetton Miners' Welfare Schemes.

In Yorkshire, work was completed on a new bowls pavilion at Armthorpe Miners' Welfare Scheme, and additions and alterations were made to the hall at that Scheme. Extensions and alterations were also completed at the Beighton, Dalton and Thrybergh, Dinnington, Glasshoughton Miners' Welfare Schemes. New floors were provided at the Harthill Miners' Welfare Scheme and at Thorpe and Scholes Old People's Centre. At Yorkshire Main Miners' Welfare Scheme, a new sports pavilion was completed with changing accommodation, showers, toilets and recreation room, with a small licensed bar and kitchen. A new sports pavilion was also provided at Oulton & Woodlesford Miners' Welfare Scheme and in addition reconstruction work on the Institute building was completed. During the year work was completed at Hickleton, Highfields High Green, Houghton Main, Kiveton Park, Manton, Nostell, Rossington, Sharlston, Shireoaks, Woolley and Worsborough Miners' Welfare Schemes.

The new Institute at Mapperley Plains Miners' Welfare Scheme was completed, comprising a hall, lounge, committee room, games room, children's and general room, with two dressing rooms under the stage, and a kitchen. At Rainworth Miners' Welfare Scheme a second football pitch was provided, whilst at Church Warsop Miners' Welfare Scheme a new concert hall was constructed out of two small rooms. Reconstruction of the concert hall was also effected at Jacksdale Miners' Welfare Scheme. Work commenced on major extensions at Sutton, Annesley, Greasley and Welbeck Miners' Welfare Schemes. At Clifton Miners' Welfare Scheme work commenced on a new heating system.

Improvements and adaptations were completed during the year in North Derbyshire at Clay Cross, Ilkeston, Shirebrook, Langwith, Chesterfield and Creswell Miners' Welfare Schemes. Extensions to car parks were effected at Langley Mill, Mastin Moor, New Tupton and Duckmanton Miners' Welfare Schemes, whilst work commenced on the provision of a new football pitch at Glapwell (Doe Lea) Miners' Welfare Scheme.

In South Midlands projects commenced included an extension to the social club at Newdigate Colliery & District Sports & Social Club, the provision of a sports pavilion at Attleborough Sports Club, extensions and adaptations to Atherstone, Measham and South Derbyshire No. 1 Miners' Welfare Schemes, whilst a new boilerhouse is being provided at the Arley Miners' Welfare Scheme.

Work on a project to provide facilities for football, cricket and bowls at Granville Colliery Sports Club in Staffordshire commenced during the year. Other projects started included the construction of a bowling green and extension to club premises at Victoria Colliery & Knypersley Social Welfare Club, a new prefabricated clubhouse at Hawkins Colliery Sports Club and the construction of a car park at Cannock & Rugeley Institute.

In South-Western a new gymnasium and lounge for retired persons was provided at Bettws Welfare Hall, the project being grant-aided by the Department of Education and Science. Work to provide licensed premises was completed at Glyncorrwg Workmen's Hall, Seven Sisters Welfare Association, Den Welfare Association and Abercwmboi Workmen's Hall and Institute. Assistance was given to provide furnishing at a new hall at Penywaun Welfare Association, and a solid fuel control heating system installed at Swffryd Welfare Hall. Work is proceeding to adapt existing kitchen facilities at Nine Mile Point Institute and Cwm & Llantwit Welfare Hall. An extension to provide licensed facilities is being made at Markham Welfare Hall, whilst at Penrhiwceiber Workmen's Hall a new foyer to the cinema is being provided.