White Collar Job

Series

Series Name

Mining Review 19th Year

Issue

Issue No.

7

Date Released

Mar 1966

Stories in this Issue:

1. 1Kent - Sea Change
2. 2White Collar Job
3. 3Glamorgan & Derbyshire - Progress in Safety

Story

Story No. within this Issue

2 / 3

Summary

NoS synopsis: Delivery of coal in polythene sacks to domestic consumers in Leicester
NCB Commentary - Housewives in Leicester are saying goodbye to the traditional coalman, and welcoming a new style streamlined delivery service.
The difference between old and new? The coal comes in clean, sealed plastic bags, up to a hundred weight at a time, which can be stored any where - indoors or out.
And a phone call to the distributors brings quick, reliable service.
Here’s where it all starts, in the new plant built by a Leicester coal merchant. Incoming coal rides up on a conveyor and falls into weighing hoppers. Proportions of large and small coal are blended together. And at the touch of a button, measured quantities of coal slide gently down into the polythene sacks below.
The tops of the sacks are sealed by heat and from now on won’t let in dirt or moisture - nor will they let coal out. A final conveyor ride takes the packaged coal for loading.
It doesn’t take loader-driver Brian Shaw long to collect a full consignment and then he’s off on his rounds.
Even if the customer is out, the coal can be left safely round the back - and the full sacks are easily counted, and clean to handle.
Brian Shaw does his rounds in a collar and tie - and they stay clean for the day as he heads off to answer another customer’s call.

Keywords

Business and commerce; Mining; Fuels

Locations

Leicester; England

Written sources

British Film Institute Databases
Films on Coal Catalogue   1969, p.52
The National Archives COAL 32   /13 Scripts for Mining Review, 1960-1963

Credits:

Sponsor

National Coal Board

Production Co.

National Coal Board Film Unit