Archived Extracts

  The high state of efficiency attained in drills by C.W.S. Fire Brigades (Midland Section) was demonstrated on Saturday at the 13th inspection and competition which was held for the first time on the well equipped sports grounds at the C.W.S. hosiery factory at Huthwaite. It was a beautiful afternoon for the event, and visitors were charmed with the enclosure, whilst the large company of spectators showed a keen interest in the demonstration of the firefighters.

  Seven brigades, with a total muster of 80 rank and file, assembled at the factory, and, headed by the Huthwaite Prize Band, marched through some of the streets to the sports ground, their smart appearance and parade being the subject of many appreciative comments. After an inspection by directors of the C.W.S. and the march past, there was a presentation of long service medals and bars. The medal is given for ten years' service with a brigade, good conduct and regular attendance at drills, and a bar for every additional five years' service.
  Stanbourne Street (Capt. Higgins) obtained the shield for the best aggregate score, but popular local victories were two by Huthwaite, the crowd giving the winners rounds of applause. The competition in all three events was very keen, and seconds were added to the times as penalties for faults, of which the programme showed a formidable list of 29. This naturally spurred firemen to do their best.
  In the first event, a valve and collecting breeching drill for four men, Leicester Wheatsheaf were first in 15 1-5 secs., and Leicester Cranbourne Street second in 16 1-5 secs. Rushden came next with a time of 18 2-5 secs. Next came the dressing, valve, handpump and ladder drill for four men, and Huthwaite registered a good win in 31 1-5 secs. clear of penalties, Leicester Wheatsheaf following with 32 1-5 secs., also clear of penalties. The times of the other five teams with added penalties, varied from 35 to 45 3-5 secs.

  All the teams entered two competitors in the one man dressing, valve and hand pump drill. Early on Fireman Alcott (Leicester Cranbourne Street) set a high standard with the excellent time of 31 1-5 secs. clear, and it was not until the last man, Fireman Heath (Huthwaite) came that this performance was well beaten by a clear 30 secs., so he was first. The crowd were delighted. Fireman Ladds (Rushden) was third with 35 3-5 secs.
  Afterwards the distribution of prizes took place at the pavilion, the duty being undertaken by Mr. T.G. Arnold (London, Chairman of the C.W.S. Finance Committee). It was announced that Leicester Wheatsheaf had won the shield and medal with the best aggregate time of 84 2-5 secs., Rushden being the runners up with 89 1-5 secs.
  "We have had a very fine show from the competitors," said Mr. Arnold, "and it is evident that it must have represented a very great deal of hard and systematic work during the past twelve months. Everyone cannot achieve success but they can deserve it and that has what has been done this afternoon, for all who have watched the competitions must have been struck by the excellent performances and the many low times achieved." He congratulated all, and wished them all success in the future.

  Mr. J. Yates, the referee for the afternoon, whilst offering congratulation, expressed regret that it had been necessary to impose so many penalties. But the rules laid down there should be penalties, and if the competitors failed they must be penalised. On the whole most of the competitors had done fairly well, but their work was not quite so clean as he would have like, but in the excitement of contests things would happen. It gave encouragement to teams to win prizes, and to those who had not won he wished better luck another time.
  Capt. Aspin (supt. of the C.W.S. Fire Brigades) proposed a vote of thanks to the directors for the magnificent prizes they had offered, to the judges for their services, Mr. Tomlinson and his staff and all who had made the event a success.
  Capt. Wildman (Rushden) seconded, and the vote was warmly accorded. The response was made by Mr. A. Judd (director). The visitors and the teams were then entertained at tea.
  The judges for the afternoon were Messrs. W. Parker (Leicester) and S. Beards (Derby), Mr. E. Tuckwood was the time recorded, and Mr. F. Blakeley (secretary of the C.W.S. Fire Brigade) with Mr. W. Plumbe, made all the arrangements for the afternoon.

In addition to the members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade Divisions from Sutton and the surrounding districts, there were many local visitors to Welbeck Abbey on Sunday afternoon, the occasion of the annual inspection of the members of the Brigade in the Nottinghamshire area (No. 5 district).
  In all over 1,700 ambulance men and members of nursing divisions were on parade, and the spectacle as they marched past and saluting base was one which will not soon be forgotten. It was a most imposing sight, and the local divisions were conspicuous by their smartness.

  The cricket field made an ideal place for the inspection, which was carried out by Mr. G.W. Malkin, Knight of Grace of the Order of St. John, Commissioner for the district. There were on parade 98 ambulance members, and 30 nursing division officers and 176 of other ranks, making a total of 1,703, and parading at the Riding School, marched to the Cricket Field to the strains of music provided by the Firbeck Band, the bugle bands of Worksop, Welbeck, Shireoaks and Newstead, and the Whitwell Colliery Silver Prize Band.
  The Nottingham Corps included sixteen Divisions, the Shirebrook Corps three Divisions, and the New Hucknall Corps of four Divisions was comprised of Annesley, Bentinck, New Hucknall, and Welbeck, whilst the Stanton Corps of four Divisions included Teversal and Silverhill. Other Divisions on parade included Sutton Portland (Men and Women), Sutton Colliery, Kirkby and Newstead.
  Arrived at the Cricket Field, the Divisions formed up for inspection, after which the inspecting officer, with his staff, which included Assistant Commissioner H.C. Else, Assistant Commissioner A.B. Gibson, County Surgeon H.W. Horan (aide-de-camp), and District Officer G.E. Hardy, took up his position at the saluting base on the opposite side of the ground for the march past, which was a very inspiring ceremony, the nurses being the half circle formation behind the base.

  Subsequently the Commissioner presented service medals to the following:- Sergt. J. Booth (Mansfield), A.-O. J. Booth (Mansfield), A.-O. J. Harrison, Sergt. H.O. Bell, Sergt. W.T. Lee and Corpl. F. Bell (Bentinck), Sergt. H. Eddowes and Corpl. P. Kirkland (Newark). A bar to the service medal was presented to Sergt. H.B. Tomlinson, of Firbeck, and each man was complimented on his fine service.
  Addressing the assembled company as a whole, the Commissioner said he was more than delighted with the parade state, and he was well satisfied with all he had seen. He considered the upbearing of the men was a great improvement on previous parades, particularly the alignment in their various movements, whilst the march past was eminently satisfactory. To Assistant Commissioner Gibson and all the staff he tendered his warmest thanks for the enormous amount of work they had done in connection with the parade, and he extended sincere thanks to the Duke and Duchess of Portland for permitting them to use those beautiful grounds for the parade.
  In conclusion, he wished the members of the Divisions good luck, and hoped they would go forward in the work in which they were engaged. "You either go forward or go backwards," observed Mr. Malkin, "You must go forward. Continue this good work and extend it, for it is the finest work on this Sabbath afternoon that you can be engaged in - your love for your brothers."
  Assistant Commissioner Gibson said the Brigade appreciated the complimentary terms in which the Commissioner had addressed them. He could assure him a wonderful work was being done by the officers and members in the cause of humanity. In 1932 first-aid was rendered by officers and men in the area to no fewer than 17,000 cases, no less than 4,000 cases were transported, and 44,000 miles were run by ambulances. They would endeavour to deserve what had been said of them that afternoon, and go forward in the future.
  The Divisions later marched back to the Riding School where tea was provided.

Before Mr. G. Peach (in the chair), Mr. T.H. Banks, Mr. F.F. Hibbert, Mr. C.H. Coupe and Mr. J.F. Keetley.

  Charged with having driven a motor van without a driving licence at Huthwaite on June 9th, Wilfred Hague, Carnarvon Road, Huthwaite, pleaded not guilty.
  P.c. Reddish said he saw defendant driving a motor van in Market Street, Huthwaite, on the date in question, but was not in a position to stop him. Witness interviewed defendant the following day at his residence and told him he had reason to believe he had no driving licence, and Hague produced a licence which had expired. A fine of 15s. was imposed.

Trouble over the payment of rent led to the appearance of John Thomas Woodland, of 148, Main Street, Huthwaite, who was summoned by Glynn Price, of Underwood, Jacksdale, for having assaulted him on June 19th.
  Mr. E.S.B. Hopkin, who appeared for complainant, said Mr. Price was a rent collector, and on the date in question called to collect rent from defendant, who was considerably in arrears. When spoken to about the arrears by complainant, Woodland struck him a violent blow on the temple. Complainant staggered outside and defendant followed him and struck him several more blows. Not content with this Woodland followed Price down the street and struck him again.
  Complainant gave evidence of the assault, and a woman living in the same street also spoke to seeing Woodland strike Price.
  P.c. Turner said in consequence of a complaint from Price he saw defendant, who said there had been a dispute over the rent and admitted striking Price four or five times. Defendant never said anything about Price having hit him.
  Defendant (on oath) admitted having struck Price, but said complainant struck the first blow. The wife of defendant also gave evidence to this effect.
  After a retirement, the Bench ordered Woodland to pay a fine of 30s. and bound him over to keep the peace for 12 months. The Chairman announced that the Bench also wished complainant to use every courtesy when collecting rents.