Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 02 November 1940

Coke Oven Managers
Gifts to Association Officials
Meritorious Service

Mr. Middleton Making the Presentations.

A ceremony of particular interest’ to South Yorkshire took place at the annual meeting of the Coke Oven Managers’ Association at York on Friday, when presentations were made to Mr. P. B. Nicholson, J.P., of Brampton; Mr. F. White, of Greasborough, and Mr. W. Green, of Manvers Main.

Mr. Nicholson is treasurer of the Association and a founder member, Mr. White is secretary, and Mr. Green editor of the Association’s Bulletin. Mr. White and Mr. Green have held their positions since 1936, and Mr. Nicholson was President of the Association in the year 1925-26, and treasurer from 1915 to 1918, and has now held the latter position since 1927. The presentations were for valuable services rendered to the Association, and it was thought the 25th annual meeting provided a fitting occasion for the ceremony.

Mr. Nicholson received an inscribed silver salver, Mr. White a silver cigarette case, and Mr. Green a gold Braille wristlet watch.

Marking A Jubilee.

The retiring President, Mr. T. A. Long, presided, and the gifts were handed over by Mr. A. H. Middleton of the Consett Iron co., Ltd., Senior Past President of the Association.

Mr. Middleton thought it only right that some recognition should be taken of the fact that they had reached the quarter century mark. In war time they felt the only way they could celebrate was by making thee presentations to officials who had contribute so much to’ the success of the Association; a very successful association considering the small number of men eligible to be members. As an Association they had carried an important industry through a critical transitional period to what it was to-day, and for this credit was largely due to the officials.

Mr. Middleton said Mr. White had earned the goodwill of the several presidents he had assisted, as well as that of all the members. They were delighted with the way he had carried out his duties and hoped he would continue to serve them for some time. To Mr. Green, Mr. Middleton remarked that everyone was pleased with the enthusiastic way he had performed the duties of editor of the Bulletin. If it had not been for his enthusiasm he doubted whether it would survived. It was an organ which a great many of the members and found extremely useful.

Enthusiastic Pioneer

referring to the presentation to Mr Nicholson as the most important in view of his long service, which was summed up in the inscription on the salver, Mr Nicholson commented that none was Association more indebted for its success than to Mr Nicholson. He had always been one of its most enthusiastic members, and always had the idea of improving the industry. That enthusiasm had carried the Association to the position occupied to-day. His second term as treasurer had placed the finance of the Association on a sound footing and he had been a live official and an excellent business man. Making the presentation amid applause, he concluded: “Well done thou good and faithful servant”

Messrs. Nicholson, White and Green suitably acknowledged the gifts.

Mr. Long, before relinquishing the Presidential chair to Mr. T. P. Carr, expressed appreciation of the help he had received from the Managing Director and Directors of his Company, and from the officials of the Association. It had been an interesting, if anxious year, and he was glad to say that never in its history had the Association been in a higher state of efficiency.

Mr. Carr’s first duty was to propose a vote of thanks to the past President, who, as one of their founder members had been in the coking industry probably longer than any of them. He had been a helpful comrade and an ardent supporter of the Association.

Other members associated themselves with the vote, and Mr. Carr then proceeded to read his Presidential address, which concluded with the comment: It may well be that the coking industry will be called on to meet unforeseen trials, and I am convinced the Association will then play its part as creditably as it has done in the past.”

Officials elected were: President, Mr. T. P. Carr; vice-president, Mr. D. R. Wattleworth (Cockermouth); secretary, Mr. F. White; and treasurer, Mr. P. B. Nicholson.