MECHANIZATION SQUAD

Series

Series Name

Mining Review 10th Year

Issue

Issue No.

2

Date Released

Oct 1956

Stories in this Issue:

1. 1MECHANIZATION SQUAD
2. 2TEN YEARS ON: HEALTH IN THE MINES
3. 3COAL CONFERENCE

Story

Story No. within this Issue

1 / 3

Summary

BFI synopsis: In the Lothians area a group of Mining Engineers facilitates the introduction of new mechanical mining methods at local collieries.
NCB Commentary - Whitehill Colliery is the scene of an experiment designed to speed the increasing pace of mechanisation in Lothins collieries.
Group Manager Lawson briefs one of the first mechanisation squads in the country - a group of trouble-shooting mining engineers which includes Jimmy Clark, mechanical engineer, Tom MacLean, mining engineer - two of the men in on the scheme from the beginning - with Bill Bell, electrical specialist and Steve Peaston, ex-miner, who is now the team’s leader.
Whenever new machines are to be installed - currently at the rate of one a month in the Lothians - this squad of experienced men goes from pit to pit to iron out the problems in advance.
In their own headquarters the squad goes over plans and drawings of both machines and their colliery destinations before giving the actual job a pit yard checkover in readiness for the installation underground.
At Roslyn Colliery this flight loader will soon be on its way to the face. A big disc for an Anderton Shearer Loader swings in on its journey to the coal at Whitehall.
Electrical gear to supply the power modern machinery demands is Bill Bell’s special pigeon.
Once new equipment has been set to work underground, the squad’s job is to move in and check that everything is running smoothly.
The installation of new support systems is just another of their responsibilities.
Off duty the team still manage to find time for their own interests.
Jimmy Clark is a keen gardener whose geraniums are his special pride. For Steve Peaston, its fishing, aided and abetted by his son Drew, while being out and about in the Lothians countryside is the sort of relaxation that Bill Bell goes in for. Indoor games are more in Tom MacLean’s line, and after the long day’s over at the pit bank or underground the team’s often to be found still in each others’ company until long into the evening.
These pioneers in new mining techniques are succeeding, as much as anything, through their own enthusiasm and a determination to make teamwork pay off.

Researcher Comments

Commentary recorded 3rd September 1956.

Keywords

Horticulture; Science and technology; Mining

Locations

Scotland

Written sources

British Film Institute Databases   Used for synopsis
Film User   Vol.11 No.123 January 1957, p30.
The National Archives COAL 32   /12 Scripts for Mining Review, 1956-1960

Credits:

Production Co.

Documentary Technicians Alliance

Sponsor

National Coal Board