Archived Extracts

The funeral took place on Thursday of Mr. John William Gent, of 45, New Street, Huthwaite. He was 77 years of age, and was employed at New Hucknall Colliery for many years...
His wife predeceased him by some seven years, and three sons and three daughter are left, but all could not attend the funeral. The eldest son, William, who was once a member of the Free Church choir, went to the Doncaster coalfield and sustained a severe accident, which caused his death twelve years ago. Another son, Tom, was lost in the 1914 war.

The late Mr. Gent was a native of Pinxton, and had lived in Huthwaite about 50 years. He was a well-known personality, and touched public affairs at several points. He was an unwavering Liberal of the old school, and intensely patriotic,....
... He was always interested in sport. In his earlier years he played cricket, and later was a consistent supporter of the New Hucknall C.C., particularly when they played on the "Monte Carlo" ground. Mr. Gent ... was always ready to make a collection for a batsman who obtained a good score. One of the most notable of these occasions was when Joe Bean (well know in Sutton) hit up a beautiful 78 in record time against Annesley. ... He maintained his interest in outdoor sport for a long period, and when New Hucknall had their annual sports on the Sutton Road enclosure, turned out in the veterans' race and set an example of persevering exort.

Deceased had a great partiality for horticulture, and after the war was elected to the Urban District Council as the representative of the Food Growers' Association. he was for years connected with local flower shows and was a grower of high-class celery, with which he took many prizes. He held the belief that better celery could be grown in Huthwaite than in Sutton and, to prove this tradition beyond dispute, took the chief part in organising an exhibition and challenged the Sutton experts to bring their choicest "sticks." The show was held at the "Top End," and, out of a large entry, the experienced Huthwaite growers won hands down, and annexed all the prizes...

Mr. Gent was a regular and cheerful figure at the Old People's Treat, where he knew nearly everybody present and was able to fraternise with his old friends and colleagues, ... He claimed a long membership of the "Rising Star" Lodge, having first joined in very early years.
The Rev. J.H.C. Rogers officiated at the funeral service in the New Fall Street Methodist Church, and Mr. J.W. Allsop was the organist...

The question of compulsory inspection of mines by representatives of miners, and the conditions of the projected scheme to be imposed on the Midland Amalgamated District, were discussed at a meeting of the council of the Notts. and District Miners' Federated Union in Nottingham on Saturday. Mr. G.A. Spencer presided.
Ald. W. Bayliss presented a report on the former subject, and it was decided to approach the owners to form a proper scheme, not only for compulsory inspections, but for voluntary inspections under the Mines Act.

Mr. Spencer reported upon the new Act governing compensation, and pointed to some anomalies.

It was explained that a war addition of 4s. per week had been paid to men on compensation, but under the new Act the men in many cases would receive less than that amount, especially those on partial compensation.

The union decided to offer the strongest possible opposition to the proposed scheme for the Midland Amalgamated District, under which all coal sold into Lancashire would go through the Lancashire Associated Collieries, who had the right to increase the price and retain for themselves that extra amount.

This, it was felt, was a violation of the fundamentals of their agreement, which made definite provisions for the final price of their coal to the consumer finding its way into the ascertainments.

If such a scheme were put into operation the miners of this district would regard it as depriving them of their rights, and they would certainly not subordinate their interests to those of some other mining districts, but only to the authority of the Government in the national interest.

Mr. Spencer reported that the military authorities had given notice to take over welfare institutes where required.

Whilst the union was of the opinion that troops would be welcomed into the institutes, they desired that the military authorities should leave as many social amenities as possible to the members.

Mr. H.W. Cooper presented the financial statement for the six months, which showed that the assets of the union were now over £80,000.

The proposal that the union should contribute 100gns. towards the Nottingham Bomber Fund, and in addition that sufficient money to buy a fighter plane be contributed from the ascertainment was considered.

Both these matters will have to be submitted to the workmen, and authority secured to avoid any violation fo the Truck Act. The members will have to sign individually for a fighter plane to be purchased out of the ascertainment.

It should be pointed out, however, that where workmen are already contributing funds to purchase a fighter plane, as at Bolsover, they would not have to make a second contribution.