South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 23 May 1942

Pithead Meals

Lady Roberts to Open Wombwell Canteen

A pithead canteen at which a twenty-four hours service of hot meals will be available is to be opened at Wombwell Main Colliery on Saturday of next week (May 30th). Lady Roberts, wife of Sir Samuel Roberts, Bart., Chairman of the Directors, is to perform the opening ceremony.

The canteen has been erected under the Miners’ Welfare scheme at a cost of about £5,000. It is brick built in one storey, occupying a site near the pithead baths The combined amenity is one of which the Wombwell Main employees have just cause to be proud.

The canteen has been designed by and constructed under the supervision of Mr. S. J Lisle, surveyor to the company, with the assistance of the local staff at the Miners’ Welfare organisation.

It consists of large dining nail and wall equipped kitchen, with every convenience for the staff. The dining hall, which is fitted with attractive Yorkshire fire-places in rustic brick, will accommodate 250 at one sitting. Between the dining hall and the there is a large screen of frosted glass, giving privacy for the staff. A unique feature of the kitchen equipment is a large battery of pans for cooking fish and chips.

The 1300 employees of the colliery will be served in relays as they leave the pithead baths.