South Yorkshire Times Friday 10 February, 1933

Colliery Veterans

Three Old Servants of Hickleton Main

After giving over a hundred years’ service between them, three employees of Hickleton Main retired for well earned rest on Saturday.

They were Mr Thomas Spencer, who was Overman at the colliery for 21 years; Mr J Dunbar, traffic manager and deputy 32 years; Mr W Goldthorpe, deputy for 38 years.

Mrs Spencer with 65 years old, came to Thurnscoe in February 1889, Wombwell district, and commenced work at Hickleton Main in that year on the west side, as a miner. Always a conscientious worker it was not long before his abilities were rewarded. In 1902 he was appointed deputy in the West District. He became Overman in 1912 on the afternoon shift, and successfully held that position till his retirement.

Mr Spencer has seen great changes during his life in the coal trade. He started work at eight years old at Wombwell Main and later worked for three years at Mitchell Main. One of the first many recollections during his mining career is the late Mr E Tune, who eventually rose to become President of the Barnsley British Co-operative Society.

During this time at Hickleton he has worked under six managers, Messrs Snow, Wild, Minnikin, Clayton, Thompson and Lebrun and six under managers, messes meekly, Walker, Criddle, Parkin, Cartledge and Patrick. While not a teetotaller, it is proud boast that never during his married life has ever gone into a public house or club for the purpose of intoxicants.

Mr J Dunbar, aged 65, was born in Northumberland, at North Seaton, and started work in the Dudley Colliery at the age of 12. After nine months there he migrated with his parents to Darfield, and went to Houghton Main, where he was employed 23 years as a miner. In 1911 he came to Thurnscoe and secured work at Hickleton Main. He was employed as traffic manager on the north-east side, and later, during 1911, was appointed deputy. He was deputy down the East district 18 years and West for years. Mr Dunbar was president of Hickleton Main Band for many years.

Mr Goldthorpe, aged 60, started his mining career at North Gob Colliery in 1875, at the age of 10, and came to Hickleton Main as a deputy in 1895. He had been in charge of districts all over the pit, and had charge of the pit bottom when it was laid out. He also had charge of the south district during the drifting operations, as seen the pit develop right from the shaft pillar.

He was also a keen cricketer and play for Hickleton Main in 1895, when the first match was played on the present cricket ground, against South Kirkby. He played for the club 20 years and is still a subscriber. He also played football Thurnscoe United (afterwards Hickleton Main) and was a supporter of the Hickleton Main Band for a number of years. He served in the Parish Council and had a part in gaining urban powers for Thurnscoe in 1906. He was superagent in Thurnscoe for the Doncaster and later he went with Between Conservative Association, and secretary to the Thurnscoe, who, and Frickley Primrose League.

The collective year’s service at Hickleton Main of all three efficiencies 114 years, and their collective ages are 199 years. Each enjoyed good health and carries into retirement the best wishes for a great many friends in Thurnscoe and district.