1900 - 1994

Silverwood Mine

Hollings Lane

Thrybergh

Facts, Stories and Features

SILVERWOOD WELFARE

A Tribute to Those That Served on the Committee's

By Mick Carver and John Doxey

Many of our families within a mining community back in the 20th century often found themselves in  times of hardship, many families were often too proud to ask for help, however dire circumstances left them no choice but to accept help. Sickness and injuries sometimes resulting in loss of limbs were not uncommon. During wartime local parish councils would often help out those in need, but could not realistically support everyone within their parish in need of a helping hand.

Miners welfare clubs were established with a view to helping those members who required assistance, the committees of these clubs worked endlessly toward this.

The miners would contribute and fund raising was carried out, visiting the sick in hospital taking small gifts and a bit of cheer was just one of the duties employed. In short the men on the welfare committees and their helpers gave much of their time in helping others.
A typical meeting was held on the 5th of January 1934 at 6p.m. in St Peters School room Whinney Hill, those present were

L. LUKE, E. BUTLER,  A. CLARK, J. DIBBS, W. E. GOULD, W. H. HAIGH, W. ROLLETT, R. CHARNOCK, W. H. HILL, 

J. MONAHAGHAN, M. MORGAN,  L. GRIFFIN , and the secretary L. HINCHCLIFFE.
 
The recommends totalling for the month  was £107 which was quite a bit of money back in 1934, the recommends had been issued during the month as follows
Rotherham hospital  received £96, Sheffield Royal £2, Sheffield infirmary £2 Jessops £5, Western bank £1,
and Edgar Allens £1
One of the most heart-warming things the welfare clubs did back then was to send sick children to Sanatoriums to help speed their recovery, and on the 30th of June 1934the following local children were sent to the North of England Children’s Sanatorium Southport.
James Bester  of 34 Cross St Whinney hill,  Mary Moores  of  27 Whinney hill, Nellie Guest of 3 Wood St Whinney hill
Doris  Pickburn  120 James St, Mary  Deakin of  30 Wood St Whinney hill, Patricia Lydon of 15 Haldane Rd Eastwood.
 
The following children were sent to Filey ( It just says Filey but I am pretty sure it will have been to Habersham house,
I think the first name on this list was my aunty Julie she would have been about 10 in 1934 : Mick )
Julie Rogan of 57 Doncaster Rd Whinney hill, Kathleen Higgins of  3 Cross st Whinney hill, Wilfred Yeardley of 5 Wilfred St.  Joyce Bennett of 53 Haldane Rd,  Sylvia Oliver of  4 Cross St, and Doris Wragg of 18 Mobray Place.
 

I hope that the above children all recovered and remembered the kindness received.