TOM HILL

Series

Series Name

Mining Review 5th Year

Issue

Issue No.

10

Date Released

Jun 1952

Stories in this Issue:

1. 1OLYMPIC POSSIBLE
2. 2TOM HILL
3. 3PERSONAL CALL: 4. WE VISIT COPPICe

Story

Story No. within this Issue

2 / 3

Summary

BFI synopsis: a retired miner and active welfare organiser at his Denaby youth club.
NCB Commentary - Tom Hill has been a fighter all his life. Plain speaking lost him 28 jobs before he was 29. But for 47 years he’s been union leader, miners’ representative and checkweighman.
Danaby led the country in welfare services. This miners’ welfare hall was built in 1924 through the efforts of Tom Hill and his fellow unionists. After the terrible Cadeby disaster of 1912 they get themselves a pension scheme - 40 years ahead of time!
Since 1928 Tom has been chairman of the welfare, a home from home for Denaby people. But sights like this set Tom thinking - and planning - to build a youth centre for the children. In 1939 they were ready to go, when the way stopped them. But to a determined man, nothing is impossible and, single handed, Tom set out on a fresh crusade.
Somehow he got the bricks and mortar, the timber and steel, and soon building began. From the local council he bought the boxing ring - at a knockdown price. From the vicar of Conisborough took over an our of use water filtering and shower bath system. Windows, furniture, fittings, - at last they were all won, and in 1949 the centre was opened.
It was a great day for Tom when the Welfare trustees proudly signed the first cheque to run the Tom Hill Youth Centre.
And here’s the proof of Tom’s achievement - a flourishing centre open to all children over 11 in the district.
Denaby breeds talent, too. Players from the Youth Centre move on to represent the Midlands in many events. This year they won the Maxborough and District youth drama festival; next year they’ll be after even bigger game.
And, surrounded by the happiness of youth, old Tom can afford to laugh with the rest.
The struggles from which all this has come won’t be forgotten. Some leaders move on to the national plane. Tom Hill had devoted his life to the people of his town, and he’s won a place in their hearts second to none.

Researcher Comments

BFI sources suggest that this story was filmed on the 3rd April 1952. Commentary recorded 6 May 1952.

Keywords

Organisations; Buildings and structures; Children; Mining; Social welfare; Youth

Written sources

British Film Institute Databases   Used for synopsis
Film User   Vol.6 No.74 December 1952, p651.
The National Archives COAL 32   /3 Scripts for Mining Review, 1949-1956

Credits:

Production Co.

Documentary Technicians Alliance

Director

J. D. Chambers

Commentator

John Slater

Sponsor

National Coal Board

Camera

Phil Law

Camera

Ronald Bicker