Mexborough and Swinton Times, April 11th 1942

Houghton Miners’ Fine Effort

Workmen of Houghton Main Colliery have earned warm commendation for a notable contribution to the country’s coal effort. As a result of the extra work they put in at Easter the nation’s coal stocks have been augmented by an extra 4,000 tons—roughly two tons a head for the men and boys employed at this pit.

The fact was revealed yesterday (Thursday) when a notice as follows appeared on the notice board of the lamp house:— “Workmen of this colliery deserve the highest praise for their wholehearted response to the nation’s need for more coal. During this Easter period from the Tuesday before Good Friday up to and including Wednesday of this week the output of coal was over 4.000 tons more than in the corresponding period of last year. The workmen have turned up for work magnificently.”

The tribute ends with the words ”Well done,” and is signed personally by the managing director, Mr. John Brass.

The employees of Houghton Main Colliery sacrificed the usual holiday on Good Friday, the Easter break being confined to Monday and Tuesday. Following Mr. Bevin’s appeal, there was a full resumption of work on Wednesday. An official of the colliery told the ”South Yorkshire Times” yesterday that the turn-up of men on Good Friday was better than on a normal Friday. The attendance for Wednesday of this week was well up to the average.

Three seams are worked at Houghton Main Colliery—Parkgate, Melton Field and Beamshaw— the mine employing about 9,000 men, from a scattered area including Wombwell, Thurnscoe, Darfield, Barnsley, Grimethorpe, Cudworth and Great Houghton.