First course

Series

Series Name

Mining Review 12th Year

Issue

Issue No.

12

Date Released

Aug 1959

Stories in this Issue:

1. 1Children’s day
2. 2Testing time
3. 3Automations
4. 4First course

Story

Story No. within this Issue

4 / 4

Summary

BFI synopsis: A recreational course for mining lads held at Lake Windermere.
NCB Commentary - Lake Windermere was recently the scene of an experiment, an experiement in the training of young miners. Boys from every division and some from overseas were welcomed at Hammarbank, a centre of the Lancashire Association of Boys Clubs, for a course arranged by the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation.
The idea is to assess the value of this sort of course for the 16-18 age group.
Classes of various kinds were held, in musical appreciation for instance.
The beautiful setting lent itself to self expression and the art classes were well attended. Boys like Keith Parry of Monmouthshire and Derek Ward of the East Midlands enjoyed a session of sketching, while Granville Davis a repairer from Seven Sisters took some advice on salt carving.
Drama classes culminated in a concert at the end of the course. Here they are rehearsing part of Henry V.
Although it all looks like a holiday, in fact, it was a carefully planned course to see the way in which Youth work can be developed in the coal fields.
In the evenings there were discussion groups led by the boys themselves. Richard Danahar of Wales (on the left) and Malcolm Cummings of Staffordshire exchanged views with John Young from Scotland.
Part of the course was an all day treck over 20 mountainous miles including an ascent of the 3,000 foot Seafell Pike. The route was arranged to test their endurance and determination.
But always the lake came back into the picture. Sailing was perhaps the most popular item of all. Doncaster, Walkden, Newcastle and Clipstone are all represented in this boat. Different parts of the country with different problems. And what better place to learn to work together than in a yacht on Lake Windermere.
The Social Welfare Organisation is always looking for new ways to help the young men of the coal industry and this latest experimental course is another evidence of its determination to serve the miners of the present and of the future.

Keywords

Education and training; Entertainment and leisure; Mining; Youth

Locations

England; Lake Windermere

Written sources

British Film Institute Databases   Used for synopsis
Film User   Vol.14 No.160 February 1960, p82.
The National Archives COAL 32   /12 Scripts for Mining Review, 1956-1960

Credits:

Production Co.

Documentary Technicians Alliance

Sponsor

National Coal Board