The New Marksman Newsletter

Welcome to the Third Edition of the New Marksman

This bronze statue of a miner holding a Davy lamp stands at Silverhill near Teversal.

The statue commemorates 150 years of coal mining and is a tribute to local miners. Silverhill (the old coal colliery spoil heap) is the highest point in Nottinghamshire.

Beer was part of their wages
see Mansfield write up below

 

This magazine aims to give news and information about the Baily Thomas Provident fund and the existing Sports and Social activities of ex Mansfield Brewery personnel.

The Baily Thomas Provident Trust funds the magazine but comments and articles of interest from you the beneficiaries will be most welcome. Closing date for information to be included in the next issue is 21 st May 2007

Many thanks to everyone who contributed to this publication

YOU`VE TASTED THE BEER
...... NOW READ THE BOOK!

This is the true story of a great brewery, as told by the men and women who made the beer.

Informative, often hilarious and sometimes poignant, even if you’re teetotal it’s bound to raise a smile.

250 pages, original photos.

Signed Copies £10 post paid (UK Only) from E M C PRESS Ltd P.O.Box 9047 Mansfield NG18 9DP

Special price to ex-employees
£6.50 collected or £7.50 post paid (UK Only)

Tel 07803 750295

Jack Wood
Jill Wood, wife of the late Jack Wood of Cellar Services Department has approached us as she was hurt and upset by the fact that Jack was not mentioned in the ‘Alternative Mansfield Brew’.We apologise for any hurt caused to you Jill, and to others who find themselves in a similar situation. The book states on page 233, that there may be a volume two and this will enable us to include information on many more of our former colleagues. Please contact us with information you would like to see included.

Two Grenadiers visit Bruges

Last September Eric Jackson and Jim Wain, accompanied by their wives and four friends, visited the Flemish town of Bruges to take part in the celebrations for the 350 th anniversary of the formation of the Grenadier Guards Regiment. The weather was perfect for the evening's event. Among the distinguished guests present were Prince Philip of Belgium, H.R.H Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, (Colonel of the regiment) and the Burgomaster of Bruges.

From the left Jim Wain, Maureen Wain, Mavis Powell, John Else, Anita Jackson, Eric Jackson George Powell, Julie Else

A Big Thank You from Spain

Ted Park and his wife June now live in Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands. He sends his thanks to Mick Powell and Edgar Strouther for the plastic embossed Mansfield Brewery tee shirts which he received following his request in the last copy of the New Marksman.

 

Mansfield Brewery Walking Group Annual Weekend

Last September the walking group visited Hertfordshire for their annual week-end away. On Saturday morning the walkers in the group enjoyed a pleasant 6 mile walk while the non walkers visited St. Albans.

In the afternoon a visit to the British School Museum at Hitchin was organised.

The group are pictured in the “girls’ playground” during a most enjoyable visit - Jim Daykin was caned for being a naughty boy.

The independent Museum is housed in a complete Victorian elementary school and is run by a team of dedicated volunteers.

During the week-end the group also visited Waddesden Manor and Knebworth House.

Jim being punished
for being a naughty boy

P.S. Mary and Jim Daykin (naughty boy!) now live in Dorset.

The weekend was organised
by Sue Longden

A Family connection for 33 years

John and Kathleen Morritt

Certificates adorn the Ling Forest pub in Mansfield, Winner of Great Pint, Highly Commended Pint, Cellar of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award to name a few.

All are a tribute to the professionalism of John and Kathleen Morritt.

In 1989 John took over as Manager at the Ling Forest Mansfield from the retiring tenants, his parents Jack and Jean Morritt, The family connection with the pub, father and son, has been maintained for an amazing 33 years.

Peter the Painter

Peter Cooper worked for Mandora Mansfield, as sign writer and here he is standing by the famous Mansfield Brewery van which he painted on the instructions of Mr. Robin Chadburn.

The photograph was taken in the 1980's.

Peter painted various shops, boardings and signs.
Here he is putting the finishing touches to a St. Clements sign.

Guess who is sitting behind Val?

As part of their Ruby Wedding celebrations Val and Geoff Moss enjoyed a 3 week driving tour of France and Italy, covering some 3,200 miles. Being motor sport fans they were delighted that whilst visiting Monte Carlo they bumped into Jenson Button at the Café de Paris, situated on the famous Casino Square. Val said that Jenson was more than happy to chat to them about his recent victory in the Hungarian Grand Prix and his improving finishing positions. Whilst Geoff and Jenson discussed the technical side of the Grand Prix cars, Val chatted to Jenson’s justifiably proud Dad, who was also very friendly and very charming!

Have you got a holiday memory? Send it in.

Firstly may I thank all involved in the production of The New Marksman - my heart still lies with the company and people with whom I was proud to work.

It’s very sad to read about the loss of such wonderful people as Gordon Jervis [Gan-Gan to his mates] Wendy, and of course Dick Spedding who will always have a place in my heart as one of life’s special people - God bless you Dick - but I feel I must say what a sad loss Mr Robin is, not only to his immediate family but also to the big family who worked for him. He was a gentleman who cared and who ran a good ship. We were people, not numbers, to a man who loved his company and his workers. Lots of businesses could learn a lot from such a man.

I still keep in touch with Mr Else {el director] and John Bartle {our religious guru] and we went off on one of our now infamous trips to the wine district of Tuscany last September.These trips are for educational purposes only and the consumption of wine is limited to small tastings. I now live in Ashby de la Zouch and work at East Midlands airport. Hope you are all well, and don’t forget, no-one can take away our wonderful memories.

Lots of love to all!
Sam Sills - Wines & Spirit Dept

Say Hello to your colleagues and friends!

Caroline becomes Mrs Stafford

The wedding of Caroline Rising and David Stafford took place on Friday 28 July at Mansfield followed by a garden party and evening reception at The Towers, Mansfield. Caroline worked in the Personnel Department.

A Daughter to Dean and Jayne Bacon

Dean and Jayne, who live in France, with their baby daughter, Ruby Jayne. Dean was an electrician at the Brewery and now works in Africa.

Hull Brewery Silvester Street, Hull

This picture was taken at the Hull Brewery premises in Silvester Street, Hull, around 1979/1980.

Most of those pictured were Hull Brewery employees - Can you recognise anyone? Please send names, details etc. of anyone you know!

Many Thanks to Marlene Crimlis for sending the photograph.
Marlene is 2nd row top 4th in from right

Please REMEMBER to send your news, photos, and memories to be included in the next New Marksman. If we don’t receive it we can’t print it.

Terrific Summer at Castle View Stables!

says Terry Johnson

Castle View has experienced a busy summer with many guests visiting the Flintham stables. The dry summer caused a lack of nutrients in the grass which meant that this had to be supplemented with hay. Fortunately the fifteen grass paddocks recovered well after the wet August.

The stables have been used as a holiday and convalescent home for a number of horses. Hamburg Springer, a race winner at Southwell, came for his holiday in June and July and enjoyed the best food and attention so much that he did not want to leave – especially after making friends with ex-racehorse Patrick – a Castle View resident!

A view over the paddocks

Joint owner Terry Johnson and his wife Sue plan to offer the stable’s facilities as holidays for racehorses.

Honey, a leisure horse, came to convalesce at the stables after receiving a nasty kick from another horse. With a special diet and good nursing she is now well on the way to a full recovery.

The horses have individual diets which may be made up of carrots, alfalfa mixed with chopped straw, sugar beet, fibre, proteins, vitamins, joint supplements (Glucosamine), and garlic to keep the horses in a healthy condition.

At the stables work is never finished, and winter maintenance gets under way with repairs to fences, paddocks to re-seed and the constant battle to remove ragwort weed which is poisonous if eaten by horses.

Terry, with his nephew ex-MBC employee Wayne Cadman, owns four racehorses and has an interest in a fifth. All are trained at Sedgefield with the trainer Colin Teague.

The latest news is that one of the residents “Jasmine” a miniature Shetland pony is in foal which is expected in June.

Terry and Sue extend an open invitation to anyone including families who would like to visit the stables. (Gardeners bring your bags for free manure!)

Contact Terry on 07941-672949 to make arrangements for a visit.

“ Some of it was too close for comfort ”

Ken Perry worked in the offices at Mansfield Brewery

Corporal Ken Perry

On 4th June 1944 the BBC announced on the wireless that “under the command of General Eisenhower, Allied naval forces, supported by strong armed forces, have begun landing Allied armies on the Northern coast of France”. Operation OVERLORD, the invasion of Normandy, had begun. It is considered to be the most decisive battle of the war to free Western Europe from the German army who were still firmly occupying France and the Low Countries,

It was here on that day that Ken Perry, then 24 years old and a Royal Marine Corporal, commanded a landing craft carrying 30 soldiers which landed on the British designated Gold beach. (Allied forces landed on five beaches on D-Day).

Ken reflected, “I disembarked from the Empire Aquabus, ( Infantry Landing Ship) and into the landing craft about 6 miles out from the coast of France. Then the landing craft drove us in and a few yards off the beach, the front doors opened and I waded in water up to my waist with my rifle above my shoulders. We were some of the first to land. There were a lot of mines set on steel props in the water, to blow up the landing craft. There were shells bursting on the beach and sniper bullets whistling around us. We just ran up the beach and started to dig ourselves into the sand dunes. Some of it was too close for comfort. On the beach I was working to assist and supervise the men who came ashore from my flotilla, and anyone else. The casualties were pretty heavy on some of the beaches, but Gold beach was pretty successful and I think that most of the men in my flotilla got ashore safely.

We made some progress and eventually got up to the road. On the road were two German machine gun posts and at each post there was a dead German over his machine gun, shot through the head.

Along the side of the road were two soldiers shot dead, side by side - one German and one British.

It was an event that helped liberate Europe from the Nazi oppression, and paved the way for victory and peace I am very proud to have been a part of it

Ken, whose specific job was the landing, stayed in the area for several weeks. He was then sent to Colombo in Ceylon until the war finished.

Ken, whose ambition is to live to be 100, retired 21years ago from the Brewery and is now the Secretary and Treasurer of the Mansfield Central Flying Pigeon Club.

Looking at Mansfield

The name Mansfield may have come from different origins. In the Domesday Book it is spelled “Mamesfield”, and the Celtic word for hill is “mamm” so it could mean ‘a hill by a field'. The river Maun flows through the town and the name “Maunsfield” could have become corrupted to Mansfield.

The town was an important place in Saxon times as it was the personal property of the King of England. In 1227, King Henry III issued a Charter "to the men of Maunesfield, that they and their heirs should have a market to be held on Mondays", and in 1377, King Richard II granted a “Fair to the Men of Mansfield " to last four days.

New Fountain and Old Council Offices on Mansfield Market

The 15 arch Viaduct, Mansfield

In the 18 th century Mansfield was an isolated place, surrounded by Sherwood Forest. Farming was the main stay industry but king coal was being mined and it was essential to transport this important product. In 1860 the Midland Company proposed building a railway line from Nottingham to Worksop and the line was opened in 1875.

From a cutting at Langwith (7miles from Mansfield) quarried stone was used in the construction of a 15 span viaduct, making it one of the largest in any English town. Miners were brought up with ale, and in the old days before an Act of Parliament intervened, a daily allowance of beer was part of their wages. It made commercial sense to produce the beer locally and in 1855 Mansfield Brewery opened.

Mansfield was once famous for the production of footwear, hosiery, net curtains and doilies. Most of these industries have now closed but the town still prospers with new industries coming to the trading estates and the opening of retail parks.

PS Please could you send in any articles and pictures of Evesham, Hull, or Mansfield to be included in the magazine ?

Waiting For The Train At Grosmont Station Yorkshire

Mansfield Pensioners Group Yorkshire day out

The Mansfield Pensioners spent an enjoyable day out in Yorkshire. The trip included a visit to Scarborough, the Yorkshire moors and a trip on the North Yorkshire Moors railway by steam train to Pickering.

Stuart Dale retired in September last year after 28 years at the brewery.

He commenced working in Production and then transferred to the Transport Department.

Stuart’s chief interest is railways
- from historic to modern.

 

 

Obituary
Sydney Munk (Mansfield)
Trevor Godson (Forest Town)
Keith Norman (Clipstone)
Audrey Wilson (Chesterfield)
Douglas Callaway (Aude, France)
Sylvia Duckmanton (Mansfield)
Raymond Mellors (Chesterfield)

Spring
Poem by Gordon Jervis

Spring weaves it’s magic spell again,
The woods and fields are full of bloom.
Bright blossoms tremble on the bough,
The breeze is laden with perfume.

The earth is one great mass of flowers
Birds make sweet noises all day long.
From meadows and the shaded bowers
There comes a ceaseless flow of song.

Spring comes to lead our thoughts away
From winter’s chilling and bleak scene.
To open up before our eyes
A wonderland of shimmering green.

As gladly we behold once more
The swifts and swallows on the wing,
We step through an enchanted door
Into the very miracle of spring.

Hull Brewery Remembered

The Hull Brewery premises (overlooking Kingston Square) at the time of King George V coronation in 1911. George V was the first British monarch belonging to the House of Windsor and reigned for 25 years until his death in 1936
Ken Smith (Ex Hull Brewery)

The picture below is of the bottling plant in the 1920's.

The bottling area had it’s own special conditioning facilities and the product was bottled bright with its own natural fermented gas. The machine labelled and filled up to 300 dozen bottles an hour
Peter Marshal (Ex Hull Brewery)

Green Fingers

Summer Hanging Baskets

As soon as Boxing Day was over the plant catalogues started to drop through the letter box. Today on a cold, dreary day in January the bright, cheerful displays have prompted me to start planning the colour schemes and ordering the plants/seeds for summer bedding and in particular, hanging baskets.

The choice of plants is vast and there are no hard and fast rules about what to plant. This year as well as our more usual baskets I shall be trying out a basket filled with Sweet Peas, another with trailing tomatoes mixed with Lobelia and another filled with herbs that we will put near the barbecue.

To make a simple, colourful basket I start by lining the basket. Being somewhat idle I buy pre made liners and then put in 2-3ins of wet compost. Now for the fun bit, I lay 3 trailing Lobelias and 2 trailing Ivy plants on to the compost and push the foliage through the liner and wire. The rest is just layering on more compost and putting 3 Surfinias on the top and a Pelargonium in the middle.

I don’t try and plant roots too close, but keep 2-3ins between them because annuals are hungry and need lots of water. To help I insert a plastic tube into the heart of the basket to pour water straight down and so reach the roots easily. I push in a couple of delayed release fertiliser pellets as well. Other than regular deadheading and watering that’s it until early autumn, maximum enjoyment for minimum effort!

Have a colourful gardening summer!

Liz Baird (Former Brewery Laboratory)

A Parting Gift for Friends of the M B W G

Barbara Brown, treasurer of the Mansfield Walking Group, presents a parting thank you gift to Peter Fairey and his wife Sylvia on their retirement from the Robin Hood at Baslow. The walking group have enjoyed their annual Christmas lunch at the pub for many years.

Peter was awarded the British Empire Medal for his selfless devotion to duty and his technical and military leadership under field conditions in the first Iraq war.

To Help Others

Mavis Evison presents a cheque for £1,500 to the John Eastwood Hospice. Mavis requested donations to the hospice in lieu of presents on the occasion of her birthday and was delighted by the amount donated by friends and family.

Mavis, far left, presenting the cheque

Mavis was transported to her birthday party in a fire engine! (a surprise organised by her daughter).

Notice Board

Brewery Dinner Dance. Saturday 3rd March 2007.
Contact Barbara Brown for details 01623 481488.

Walking Group
Further information on walks. Contact Barbara Brown Tele .01623 481488

Wanted
A promotional model of a Mansfield Brewery Dray.
Contact Ken Hurt 01623 486320

Re-union Dinner at Margarita’s Italian restaurant, Mansfield Woodhouse. March 16 and October 19 2007.
Further Information Ring Kevin Hall 07739 989626.

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Newsletter Sponsored by Baily Thomas Provident Fund