Leeds Mercury – Friday 30 September 1938

New Hope at Wombwell

Mitchell Main Colliery May Reopen

There are definite hopes that Mitchell Main Colliery, Wombwell, which has been closed down for nearly three weeks, will be reopened within the next few days. This reassuring statement was made yesterday by Mr. Joseph A. Hall, Financial Secretary of the Yorkshire Mineworkers’ Association.

The pit employed about 1,200 men and boys, the majority of whom live at Wombwell, and permanent closure of the pit would have been a serious blow for Wombwell.

“I succeeded in having a five hours discussion with Mr. Robert Claytor, chairman of the directors,” said Mr. Hall, and after I had laid certain proposals before him the discussions were adjourned until Monday next when I shall meet the company at the colliery offices, along with representatives of the local branch of the Y.M.A.”

Under the proposals for the reopening of the mine practically every underground man will be re-employed, and Mr. Hall said that in the course of the next few weeks it was possible that all the men would be set on again.