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During the 19th century major changes occurred within Darfield. The population increased from 400 to 4,000 and the employment had moved from agriculture to coal mining. In the later half of the 19th century a Parish Council administrated the affairs of Darfield. In 1902 Darfield was given Urban District Council status, responsible for minor services while Major services were provided by the West Riding County Council (i.e. Education, Police, Major Highways Health etc,). Some of the work done by the Council in its early days has been outlined One aspect of major note was the link between the Council and the Miners Welfare Scheme. In the 1920s there was an agreement at National level that a Social Fund be set up; this was to be financed by 1d per ton being allocated to such a fund.
These facilities were highly appreciated and well maintain by Darfield Council. In the 1920/30s the miners of Darfield endured hard times. Some of the young men who had been demobbed from World War One had been on strike in 1921, 1924 and the General Strike of 1926. Unemployment, short time working, poor wages and poor working conditions led to poverty and squalor. Activities like Low Valley and Darfield Feast, the "Whit Walk", Hospital Sunday and other events helped to relieve the monotony. Miners played their favourite game of "Nipsy" and children produced their own concerts, making their own costumes were active past times.
There were two special days in the lives of the young people of the Village 1 The Sunday School Anniversary 2 The Sunday School Prize Giving Attending Sunday school was not compulsory but parents encouraged their children to attend. There were 5 Sunday Schools in the Village, 2 run by the Church of England and 3 by the Methodist/Wesleyan Chapels; All were well supported. Anniversary The Sunday school anniversary was held to celebrate the founding of their church and took the form of a special musical service. A special "tiered" stage was erected to hold all the children. An Adult Choir and Orchestra were housed at the base of the stage. Special hymns, church music, poetry and biblical readings formed the main base of the service with children taking a leading part. There were services held in the morning, afternoon and evening; every seat being filled. It was a special day in the life of a child. Prize Giving When a child became a member of a Sunday school they were given an Attendance Card. Every time a child attended the Secretary who marked their card in the appropriate space met them. The mark was in the form of a small star; hence giving rise to the expression "this is my star card". At the end of the Sunday school year the cards were collected up and the number of stars on each card were counted The attendance record determined the standard of prize the child had earned; the grades being; Special (for a child with 100% attendance) then going down to 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize. The name and grade was affixed to each book awarded. No child ever went home empty handed. In 1938 and 1939 dramatic changes took place in Darfield. Pits started working 5/6 days per week, more jobs became available leading to an increase in the economic life of the Village. But alongside these improvements there came a marked increase of State Intervention over the individual. Everybody was issued with an IDENTITY CARD, a RATION BOOK and a GAS MASK (even for babies). "Funny" letters began to be delivered, that read as follows; 'Dear…………............. On Monday…………. you will report to ………….. …. You have been conscripted to H.M.Forces and will be trained as a …………..…. in the……………Railway Warrant Enclosed' There were no committee meetings to discuss such letters; you simply went. Groups of young people volunteered for the service of THEIR choice (i.e. Army, Navy or Air Force). Other young men were classified as either "in a reserved occupation" or were available for conscription by the War Office. There was still a shortage of manpower and women became subject to direction; some to "munitions" others to the Land Army. Coming on leave was like coming to a strange place. There were sandbags stacked around the entrance to A.R.P buildings (Co-op Guild Room, Reading Room and Old Church School). Mates were not there, but were stationed all over the world, men in "reserved occupations" were working full time and after the completion of their shift they were involved in Air Raid precautions or members of the Home Guard. There was little transport, even less forms of entertainment and an acute shortage of food. In 1946/47 many that had served in the Forces, along with "war workers", Land Army Girls and others returned home. They had left the village as "lads" and "lasses" and were now returning as adults (some had married). They wanted A JOB, A HOME and household goods and CLOTHES THAT FIT. There had been a General Election and a change of Government; the electorate demanded something different to the 30's. For the first time in peace time there was full employment. The Government insisted that local Authorities provide a wide range of Social Services. In Darfield there was need for a major housing policy. There were over 800 slums to clear, there were 300 families living in over crowded conditions and some 300 homes were required for general needs. Between 1947 and 1970 the Council met this target. The houses were bigger in size and fitted with modern appliances. They were built to a lower density, each house having a garden and play area for the children. In the 1970s Darfield Council began an all out drive to improve facilities for the aged and infirm. They built bungalow schemes, then flatlet schemes; and finally a Residential home for the less able.
Along with this excellent housing programme the Council provided additional services. The Council provided a warden service. Ten wardens were appointed each having 30 old people on their round. This meant the well being of over 300 elderly citizens was checked each day, in the case of need "Home Helps" were provided with "Meals on Wheels" being delivered. Such services lead to a happier and healthier society. There was a marked improvement in the economy of Darfield. Over 50% of the male population worked in the mines; agreements ensured job security. Better wages and working conditions. There was plenty of work available. New services were attracted into Darfield, Banks, Estate Agents, Travel Agencies, Building Societies, and Vets, Garden Centres as an example. At long last many earned the right to purchase their own home, or buy a car, or even have decent holidays. In 1950/60 great concern arose from the number of deaths from road accidents. Nationally a body was set up called ROSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) Its remit was to undertake action to reduce these accidents. It sought to co-ordinate liaison with the Police and local Councils. In Darfield there was immediate response. Darfield UDC set up a Road Safety Committee as a Council Committee. It brought together police, schools, children, and local volunteers. Darfield were very fortunate to have a retired miner to act as Co-ordinator, Bernard Walton. A local quiz competition between the 4 local schools was organised and the Council donated a special Cup (along with other prizes). The Trophy was called the MARK JONES TROPHY (Mark Jones being a former pupil of the Foulstone School, who played for Manchester United and was involved in the Munich air crash). This annual competition was conducted by the police the teams having been trained by Bernard Walton. Activities grew and in 1959 the Council decided to organise a Village Gala with Road Safety as its theme. It Co-ordinated many activities. There were sports for all ages, there was a Pet Show, a Painting competition based mainly on work done at school (there were some 200 entries) and there were many other displays. The event was held in the Foulstone Modern School Playing Field (at the time it was linked with the School). The event attracted a crowd of some 2 to 3000. One of the main highlights was the crowning of the Road Safety Queen. Again a link with their schools; The Road Safety Queen was chosen by the children at the Foulstone School; and her attendants were chosen from each of the three Darfield schools. The crowning ceremony and speech making took place in the early evening, and attracted a large crowd. The event proved so successful that it became an Annual event in the life of the Village. In this climate of affluence a large number of groups were developed within the Village. Many felt that there was need for a Village Hall that should be developed for the communal use for social and group activities. A Working Party was formed to examine the ways and means of securing such a Centre. It was quickly realised that a substantial amount of money would be required. It was decided that a membership card should be drawn up and that members of the Working Party undertake a door-to-door canvass seeking to recruit members, the membership cost being set at 2/6 per year. It was a fairly successful venture. Many other fund raising events were held; but to raise the required amount was difficult. In the late 1950s Darfield U.D.C. negotiated with the Miners Welfare Fund (now called Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation CISWO) and an Old Peoples Centre was built, there was a main Hall limited to holding 100 people. It proved so successful that it was used six days per week (not on Sundays except for Hospital Sunday and Amenities Weekend). The Building was extended a bar Lounge was added. The capacity was increased to 150.
YES IT IS WELL USED! Great thanks are due to Voluntary workers who give so much of their time to make activities so successful. One major activity is the Annual Art and Craft Exhibition organised by Darfield Amenities Society normally held in the last weekend in August. WATER is an ESSENTIAL SERVICE often taken for granted. During the 1950/60s; all local authorities within the Region were undertaking major building programmes. There was a shortage of land and a shortage of water. Old "one tap" dwellings were being replaced by homes with modern amenities. Darfield's domestic water was supplied by the Dearne Valley Water Board (This covered Darfield, Wombwell, Hoyland, Dearne and Thurnscoe). Its main supplies were from underground sources such as Dearne Valley Colliery. In the late 50s the Government abolished small water boards and linked them with Major Water undertakings. Dearne Valley Water Board was abolished and was linked to Sheffield Water Board. Sheffield had many reservoirs, but its resources were fully stretched and it was looking for additional capacity. Many schemes were discussed but the final solution was found by the formation of a Yorkshire Consortium consisting of Leeds, Sheffield and other authorities. Its plan was to take water from the River Derwent at Elvington (Nr York). Treatment works were built on the site, water was treated and then pumped through underground pipe lines to Leeds etc. Sheffield's allocation was pumped to the Hoober Stand Reservoir. This scheme helped to solve Darfield's domestic water supply. The River Dearne runs through Darfield. Over the years the river became filthy, with a narrow and shallow watercourse incapable of carrying a high volume of water. Flooding was very frequent in the lower reaches of the river. In 1960 a major flood took place. Acres of agricultural land between Darfield and Cudworth were under water. Further down the River at Darfield Bridge water flooded over the main Barnsley/Doncaster road to such a depth that traffic had to be diverted. Houses in the Bridge area, Church View, and the bungalows in Cliff Road were flooded to a substantial depth. The Bungalows had to be vacated. After the floods had subsided the Highways Engineer declared the bridge unsafe to carry two lanes of traffic. A "Bailey Bridge" was erected to carry the traffic from Doncaster to Barnsley. A major inquiry followed and it was resolved that: 1 The capacity of the River Don be improved 2 That major works be carried out on the River Dearne. It was to be widened, deepened and straightened. The soil excavated to be stacked on the riverbank to form a flood barrier. 3 Strict control on the standard of effluent discharged into the River, thus improving the water quality. At Darfield a new control point (a waterfall) was constructed, a substantial flood barrier was established on the riverbank opposite Middlewood Park and a new bridge was built to carry the traffic on the A635 (Barnsley/Doncaster Road) Experience has shown the success of this scheme. No flooding in the Darfield area, a river well stocked with fish and wild fowl now use this river.
In the 1970s and 1980s major events occurred which had a marked influence on Darfield. The Local Government Boundary Commission moved into Yorkshire. It abolished the West Riding County Council and all small units of Local Government such as Urban and Rural District Councils. Darfield Urban District Council was abolished on April 1st 1974. In their place it set up: A South Yorkshire County Council to provide major services for the Metropolitan Councils within its area. It was to have 100 members (20 for the Barnsley Area; Darfield to have 1 member). It was responsible for Fire, Police, Highways and Transport. It became well known for its low Bus fares policy; the fare from Darfield to Barnsley was 10p, children travelled for 2p and the elderly had free bus passes. FOUR Metropolitan District Councils came into being within South Yorkshire; there were Councils for Sheffield, Doncaster, Rotherham and Barnsley. Taking Barnsley as an example; the population of the old Barnsley Borough was 78,000, but by merging it with 14 surrounding UDC/RDC the population of the area was increased to 220,000. This Council was to have 60 members (later increased to 66). Its main functions were Housing, Social Services and Education. Barnsley developed a very active education policy; it increased Nursery Education provision and developed a 6th Form College. In 1972 there were 280 councillors within the Barnsley area; these had to be reduced to 60 MDC Councillors and 20 SYCC Councillors. The Elections for these Councils were to take place in May 1973, so party policies, Council and Council committee structures had to be quickly put in place as the new Councils were to take office on 1st April 1974. In this re-organisation the NINE Darfield Councillors lost their office and 3 members had to be elected and selected for Barnsley MDC. But within 10 years Central Government grants were reduced and rate capping was introduced, all of which made it impossible to provide a good standard of service. In 1985 the Government abolished the Greater London Council and the SIX Metropolitan Councils (one of which was the South Yorkshire County Council). The functions of the SYCC were to be carried out by ad-hoc committees, members from the four MDC's. Major changes took place in the coal mining industry. During the 1960s some 300 pits were closed and many thousands of jobs were lost. There was a change in the leadership of the NUM (National Union of Mineworkers); with a change in leadership came a change in policy. It was highlighted at Saltley Gate, Birmingham when "flying pickets" surrounded the works and prevented the movement of fuel. In 1972 and 1974, there were overtime bans and strikes took place throughout the coalmining industry. This was very affective at pits in the Darfield area. The strikes did not prevent the NCB carrying out closures. In 1980 there seemed to be some sort of reprieve. The Barnsley Area Director obtained a substantial grant to uprate the Barnsley Coalfield area. Individual Pits were to be linked up underground. It brought some relief but things came to a head on 1st March 1984, the Area Director of South Yorkshire Area decided to close Cortonwood Colliery. So far as the NUM were concerned it was a closure too far. Some negotiations took place, without a successful result. On 12th March 1984 the NUM declared a National Strike. This strike lasted 12 months, during which time there were many clashes between the police and striking miners. Even after the Strike the Government continued its Pit closure programme to such an extent that public opinion turned in favour of the miners.
It remains to be seen what long-term effect such circumstances will have on Darfield families. Politicians and Planners are seeking to improve the infrastructure as a means of attracting industry into the area. The Dearne and Dove Canal was drained and a Wombwell by-pass road was built along the former watercourse. In Darfield a major road is being built on the former L.M.S rail track and a new bridge being erected near the former Dearne Valley Colliery. Let us hope they are successful in their efforts. DARFIELD IS A PROUD VILLAGE AND A VILLAGE OF WHICH TO BE PROUD. Historian write on...
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