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Post by John on May 15, 2015 11:30:53 GMT -5
I vaguely remember Denis Ward, I think he was an overman at Bestwood. A nice man, easy to get on with. Talking about addressing management as Mr. There was a young U/M started at Cotgrave in late 80s. I was introduced to him in the office's by Nobby West. I asked him his name. Mr soso, I said no your first name! Mr soso he said! In that case I am Mr Wolvin!!! He didn't seem to understand. Such was his self importance. He was from North Notts & when he was U/G he always had a deputies stick & he would wave it at miners when trying to tell them their job. I told him one day they would break it in half. One day we rode the cage out, his stick was in half!!!! LOL!!!! There was an assistant Manager at Clifton, Symonds was his name, he had a lisp and so got the nickname Cynthia, although calling him Cyhthia to his face would have cost a fiver for insubordination. We were in pit bottom waiting for a ride out at the end of the day shift, two deep and a long line when "Cynthia" walked by to shaft side, I heard someone shout "ayup Cynthia, how yer doin" The excreta hit the fan!! It was so funny!! Everyone went dead quite, you could hear a mouse squeak. "Cynth" saw red!! "WHO SAID THAT, WHO SAID THAT. FINE THAT MAN FIVE POUNDS"
Of course once he opened his mouth, everyone was rolling on the floor laughing, he gave up and made an undignified exit on to the cage..Even the Onsetter couldn't contain himself.
Dennis Ward caught me reading a girly magazine I'd found on the GEB's of a district one shift, I wasn't even aware he was in the district, the old grapevine had broken down. He looked down at me and said "what you reading" took the magazine off me, and threw it on the belt weighted down with a lump of coal. Came back to me took my name and number and told me to be in his office after the shift was over. I was rerouted to my Elec Engineer's office, Lol Adcock, When I walked in he said "Oh your the "C" who Wardy caught reading" He burst out laughing, "Now don't let the thingy catch you again." Last I heard of the incident.
One thing that took some getting used to in Australia was calling senior managment by their Christian names, everyone there was on first name basis.
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Post by eleceng on May 25, 2015 14:59:54 GMT -5
Was that asst. manager Ken Symonds? If it was he became manager at Cotgrave after Ken Butt. He must have changed a great deal because he was quite reasonable. The 1st week of the 72 strike it had been agreed that a limited amount office staff who had wages experience would be allowed to work to process last week's wages for the pitmen. I was COSA committee, so the rep & me arrived on picket line about 7 o'clock 1st day to make sure only the personnel we had agreed were let through. The NUM pickets said all the office staff had gone through as they thought they had permission. Me & the rep went down to the offices. Just as we arrived Ken Symonds met us. We explained what was happening & could we go & talk to the office staff to get the offenders out. Yes, he said I don't want any trouble, if you do fetch me & I will order them off site. There wasn't, after the riot act was read out to them.
But it may have been his son, Nigel, who also was an assistant to the manager. He came to Cotgrave in the late 70s & was assigned to electrical dept. to get some knowledge. He was put with me & I found him likeable & easy to get on with. He was much later appointed Undermanager.
When I left Cotgrave & went contracting at Asfordby he was deputy manager there. So we got on well, much to the annoyance of electric staff!
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Post by John on May 25, 2015 17:52:23 GMT -5
Was that asst. manager Ken Symonds? If it was he became manager at Cotgrave after Ken Butt. He must have changed a great deal because he was quite reasonable. The 1st week of the 72 strike it had been agreed that a limited amount office staff who had wages experience would be allowed to work to process last week's wages for the pitmen. I was COSA committee, so the rep & me arrived on picket line about 7 o'clock 1st day to make sure only the personnel we had agreed were let through. The NUM pickets said all the office staff had gone through as they thought they had permission. Me & the rep went down to the offices. Just as we arrived Ken Symonds met us. We explained what was happening & could we go & talk to the office staff to get the offenders out. Yes, he said I don't want any trouble, if you do fetch me & I will order them off site. There wasn't, after the riot act was read out to them.
But it may have been his son, Nigel, who also was an assistant to the manager. He came to Cotgrave in the late 70s & was assigned to electrical dept. to get some knowledge. He was put with me & I found him likeable & easy to get on with. He was much later appointed Undermanager.
When I left Cotgrave & went contracting at Asfordby he was deputy manager there. So we got on well, much to the annoyance of electric staff! I'm not sure what his first name was Mick, it's been too many years now, I'll search through my notes and see if I have his full name among them.
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Post by John on May 26, 2015 15:57:28 GMT -5
Was that asst. manager Ken Symonds? If it was he became manager at Cotgrave after Ken Butt. He must have changed a great deal because he was quite reasonable. The 1st week of the 72 strike it had been agreed that a limited amount office staff who had wages experience would be allowed to work to process last week's wages for the pitmen. I was COSA committee, so the rep & me arrived on picket line about 7 o'clock 1st day to make sure only the personnel we had agreed were let through. The NUM pickets said all the office staff had gone through as they thought they had permission. Me & the rep went down to the offices. Just as we arrived Ken Symonds met us. We explained what was happening & could we go & talk to the office staff to get the offenders out. Yes, he said I don't want any trouble, if you do fetch me & I will order them off site. There wasn't, after the riot act was read out to them.
But it may have been his son, Nigel, who also was an assistant to the manager. He came to Cotgrave in the late 70s & was assigned to electrical dept. to get some knowledge. He was put with me & I found him likeable & easy to get on with. He was much later appointed Undermanager.
When I left Cotgrave & went contracting at Asfordby he was deputy manager there. So we got on well, much to the annoyance of electric staff! I'm not sure what his first name was Mick, it's been too many years now, I'll search through my notes and see if I have his full name among them. Seems I have his name spelled wrong too Mick, was doing some research and it was Ken J Simmons, still it was almost 50 years ago now...
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Post by eleceng on May 30, 2015 7:01:19 GMT -5
Yes John, I thought his name was misspelt. It was the same man who became manager at Cotgrave. I got on with him really well. Had a few cross words occasionally, none very serious.
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Post by eleceng on Oct 25, 2015 10:10:52 GMT -5
On another thread talked about Winster manless C/V's. It was installed here around early 70s, quite successful. Eventually all the C/V's were computer controlled from purposely constructed surface control room. Also integrated was telephone exchange & emergency exchange. Along with U/G & surface monitoring systems.
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