Royal Visits
During this period, members of the royal family visited the local area a number of times. In August 1923, grandad noted that the Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VIII, visited Nottingham. He laid a foundation stone for the war memorial and gardens on the Victoria Embankment. There is a photograph of him being driven along the Victoria Embankment on this visit on p14 of the book “Nottingham between the Wars”. He also opened the Memorial Nurses’ Home which was within the grounds of the General Hospital. He visited the Boots works and the Ellerslie House Home for Paralysed Soldiers and Sailors. That home opened in 1917. It continued to operate into the 60s although its remit broadened beyond soldiers and sailors only.
Opening of Harlow Wood Orthopaedic Hospital
Six years later, in August 1929, grandad noted that the Duchess of York opened a new hospital near Mansfield. This was Harlow Wood Orthopaedic Hospital. The Duke and Duchess of York, who later went on to be King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, carried out this opening jointly.
Council Elections
In March 1931, grandad noted going to vote although I am not sure which election this relates to. The general election in 1931 took place in October (see Chapter 25). He did sometimes note local elections, for example, the Urban District Council Elections in 1919 and again in 1922. I came across some details of local elections in 1937 in a cutting from the Nottingham Evening Post. These show that, across Kirkby, ten Labour candidates were elected, six independents and one Communist. One of the independents was G A Wyles who I believe was grandad’s solicitor.
Local Strikes
As well as national strikes (see Chapter 25), there were several regional miners’ strikes in 1919 starting in Nottinghamshire in January protesting against the “butty” subcontracting system.
What Was the Butty System?
According to Healey Hero, the Butty system was essentially a form of subcontracting (or what might now be called outsourcing!). A worker who had saved some money could buy tools, timber, horses etc. and could set up his own business. The owners then contracted him to mine and supply coal and he in turn hired and paid the men. There was no oversight of the system just a focus on getting coal to the surface at the agreed price. There were many reports of extremely poor working practices as a result. Much more detail is available in the book “Mining in the East Midlands 1550-1947” by A R Griffin, for example on p29.
Strikes at Summit
On 21 January 1919, grandad noted that the men at Summit colliery came out on strike. However, the strike was relatively short-lived and he noted on the 26th that the night shift at Summit had resumed work.
But, there was a further strike in March with grandad noting that the Summit miners came out on strike on the 17th and they were joined by miners across Nottinghamshire on the 19th.
In July 1919, grandad noted that the “colliers started working seven hours” and this appears to relate to a compromise supported by Government, part of which included imposing a maximum seven-hour working day. However, this did not satisfy anyone and grandad noted that the colliers were back on strike in October 1919.
Railway Strike
Grandad also noted that there was a railway strike from 28 September 1919 to 6 October 1919.
Railway Accidents
On 30 April 1930, grandad noted that “four railway trucks were derailed”. I found a report of this accident in the Nottingham Journal of 1 May. This documented that the derailing happened because of a drawbar breaking. Although the accident did not cause any injuries, it blocked the railway line and also a road. The accident occurred at 7pm and the blockage took many hours to clear. Road traffic had to be diverted through Pinxton. An engine had derailed earlier that day at the very same spot. A crane had to be called for on that occasion. The line had only just been cleared when the second derailing happened. Grandad noted in his diary that the plumber Jack Hibbert was killed by a train on 6 January 1933 on the “16 acres” crossing. I have written a blog on this topic.
Other Events
On the same day in April, grandad noted that the telephone box in Diamond Avenue had been fixed. On 1 May 1936, he noted that the Post Office had moved to Pond Street. In May 1932, he noted going to see an “airplane display” in Mansfield.
Toc H
On 11 February 1931, grandad noted that “Toc H fed children (450)”. I am not sure of the significance of this particular entry. Toc H is an international charity and membership organisation that was established in 1915 when an army chaplain, Rev Clayton, opened a rest house for troops in Belgium. After the war, he opened in London the first of many Toc H hostels. Toc H became a membership organisation and was involved in various forms of social and community activities. According to the 1969 Kirkby Directory (p25), there was a branch in Kirkby.
Earthquakes and Floods
In February 1924, grandad noted feeling two earthquakes. The first he noted was on the 25th at 12.55pm and the second on the 28th at 10.50pm. However, it is possible he got the dates wrong as it appears that the second earthquake was a week later on 6 March.
In May 1932, there were severe floods in Nottinghamshire and grandad noted that he “saw floods”. On 4 June 1933, he noted that it had been the “hottest day this century”.