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Goldthorpe Cinema Manager

May 1928

Mexborough and Swinton Times June 22, 1928

Mr. Russell Totty,


A dinner in honour of Mr. Russell Totty, manager of the Goldthorpe Cinema, was given by his friends at the Horse and Groom Hotel , Goldthorpe, on Saturday.

Alderman Probert, J.P.presided, and among those present were Mr. Herbert Smith presidentof the Miners’ Federation; Mr. Williams, M.P., Mr. George Hirst, M.P., Mr  J.Parker, C.C., Mr. A. Fouchard,  Mr. R. Pugh, secretary of the Goldthorpe C.C., Hippodrome Company; Mr. Bert Swaine, who is taking Mr. ‘Potty’s place at the Cinema; Mr. E. West, manager of Goldthorpe Empire; Messrs. F. Mason, T. Oliver, and J. Mennell, shareholders in the Cinema Company; Mr. F. Clayton, representing the managing director (Mr. C. Clayton) of the Cinema Company; Mr. F. Colthard, representing the Fox Film Company, Ltd.; Mr. F. C. Morson, postmaster at Goldthorpe; trade union representatives from Wath, Bolton, Goldthorpe and Thurnscoe; and local tradesmen.

Mr. Totty, who came from Hoyland to manage the Goldthorpe Cinema five years ago, and was previously in Canada, is leaving the district early in June, principally for health reasons, and will conduct theatres in Minehead. (the Queen’s Theatre, the Cosy Cinema, and the Arcadia Concert Hall), in addition to doing work for the municipality in connection with the band.

In recognition of his social work in the district, and particularly of his generosity towards the trade unions and the Labour Party in lending his hall and organising concerts during trade disputes, Mr. Herbert Smith presented Mr. Totty with a diamond ring, and Mrs. Totty with a four-piece silver tea service. On Whit-Tuesday a dance in their honour will be given iny the Welfare Hall at Bolton.

The loyal toast having been submitted by Ald. Probert, Mr. J. Ryan, secretary of the Y.M.A., submitted that of the “Trade of the District.”

This was seconded by Councillor TH Barker, who said they felt they had had a long run of bad luck, and if they applied a bit more common sense to their difficulties – is the workmen’s pockets held more money – the tradespeople will be in a position to meet their liabilities, and their businesses would be successful.

He was convinced that the experiences through which they had passed would have taught them that the prosperity of a business to spend it on the prosperity of the workers

He hoped that the day was not far distant when the worker would receive wages far in excess of those they were’ receiving at present, and that the tradesmen would receive a more adequate reward for their enterprise.

In reply, Mr. E. West. licensee of the Goldthorpe Empire Cinema, said that trade in Gokithorpe was trade in name only. “There is no such thing as trade in Goldthorpe,” he added, “except in my business.”People could not get out, so that the few coppers which they could scrape together they found it for “the pictures.” The tradesmen were suffering, and until there was a great improvement in the mining industry the present state of things would continue. They could only hope that things would improve and that a working man would get a living wage—hear. hear) — which at the present time he did certainly did not get. It behoved everyone to strive in a legitimate manner to that end.”

Mr West said he was sorry Mr Totty was leaving them. They part of the best of friends, and he wished him health and success in his new sphere. He hoped Mr Totty will regain its strength and will look back upon his stay in Goldthorpe with happy memories. (Applause)

Mr Tom Williams M.P., in proposing the toast of Mr and Mrs Russell Totty,” recalled first meeting Mr Totty when he asked the Bolton Urban District Council to allowing to erect a cinema. Derek Quentin strengthened whenever they came together, whether in business, social or political spheres. They made the discovery that at last they found a man – willing to help those who were incapable of helping themselves. Mr Totty and helped to solidify the movement which he (Mr Williams) believe would ultimately be in charge of this and many other nations.

That possibly was a the finest testimony that Mr and Mrs Totty could have for their five year stay in the district. He wished “God – speed” to Mr and Mrs Totty their new sphere of work. (Applause)

Councillor WM Starkey (Thurnscoe) and Mr E Baines, secretary of the British Legion football club then added complimentary comments

Mr. Totty, replying, said the one thing that had struck him most was the friend- hip which had been shown to him. He did not think it possible to find such loyal friends as he had found in Goldthorpe. He was very pleased that Mr. West was present, because, although he had been his “sparring partner,” he had fought clean. He (Mr. Totty) had only done his duty, and he hoped that the dark days through which they were passing would soon give way to sunshine, happiness, and prosperity, and that he would be able to come among them again.      They could rest assured that he would always have a very warm corner in his heart for his old chums      at Goldthorpe.

The Presentations.

Mr, Herbert Smith then made the presentations to Mr. and Mrs. Totty. He would not say that they were leaving them; they were going on a journey, and they in this district would not let Mr. and Mrs. Totty leave them, because a friendship had been formed which could not be broken. Mr Totty’s father been a member of the YMA for over 60 years, so that Mr Russell Totty had had a good training, and he had not only supply people with good pictures and a clean hall, he had lent himself to many other things; he did not forget the miners, their wives and children; he did his best to pull round the band, and is a great deal of work to help on the ambulance movement locally.

They would be safe in assuming, therefore, that when Mr and Mrs Totty throwing their tackle and finish working altogether, they would hear a voice saying “Come on, you have both earned your wages.” (Applause)