Mexborough and Swinton Times December 30 1938
Some of the guests at Friday’s dinner
Twenty members of the Barnburgh Main, Pensions Fund had a particularly happy Christmas, for they had two Christmas dinners at the expense of the Colliery Company. Through a misunderstanding, they turned up on the date originally arranged (Thursday night) when the majority of the pensioners had been informed that the gathering was on Friday. They had their dinner on Thursday, however, and turned up to join the larger throng at the Angel Hotel on Friday evening.
About 60 members were present on the second occasion, and Commander H. H. G. Begbie presided. He extended a welcome on behalf of the directors of the Company and the management of the colliery and hoped they would have an enjoyable evening.
The manager of the Colliery, Mr. G. C. Payne, said it had 121 pensioners, 13 new members had joined them during the year and five had died. The Fund was not financially sound, because the long stoppage at the No. 5 pit during the year had resulted in income falling short of the expenditure.
They were over-drawn to, the extent of over £100, but the No. 5 pit had now restarted, and during the past week, the directors had decided to contribute an equal amount to the workmen instead of one third. That was introduced for a trial period of six months but there was little doubt that it would be continued as at Manvers Main. In some respects, they had advantages over the Manvers fund in that they received benefits for their wives.
The weekly stoppage realised £80, and 98 men received 10s. a week and £22 men £1 a week. Since the fund began, in 1931, the men had contributed £15,095 1s. 9d., and the total receipts were £22,663.
The amount paid out was £22,786, showing a debit of £120. He hoped that with the increased contribution the deficit would be wiped out very shortly.
The oldest pensioner was Mr. Tom Smith, 88, and the pensioner with the longest service Mr. Tom Hill (58 years), who, however was not present owing to illness. The next with longest service was Mr. J. Petty (56 years), and there were many others with 50 years service and over.
Mr. W. A. Williams, secretary of the Y.M.A. branch, moved a vote of thanks to the Coliery Company and made particular reference to their additional gift.
The increased contribution of the Company made it the best pensions fund in the country and he had received letters from South Wales and the South of England requesting details of the fund management.
Mr. Williams referred to the fatal accident at the colliery that afternoon and all the pensioners stood in silence as a mark of respect.
On behalf of the pensioners, Mr. Jack Petty said they were all sorry to hear of the fatality, and said it was some consolation for a pit worker to go through long service and reach retirement age. He expressed thanks and appreciation to the colliery company and to those responsible for maintaining the fund. They had a lot to be thankful for and they appreciated the generous hospitality accorded to them.
A programme of music followed the dinner.