South Yorkshire Times January 26, 1957

Manager’s Certificate For Mexborough Mining Student

After 2 ½ years studying in the mines of the Coal Boards Number three area, John Terence Wright (24) of 12 Tennyson Avenue, Mexborough, has been awarded his Colliery Managers Certificate.

Mr Wright, only son of Mr and Mrs C D Wright, of Franklin Cresent, Doncaster, first decided upon mining as a career when he was a student at Doncaster Grammar School. At the age of 15 he gained his School Certificate, and two years later was successful in the Higher School Certificate examination. These qualifications, with a national coal board scholarship, enable Mr Wright to enter Leeds University where he studied mining for four years, finally gaining his BSc degree in mining with honours.

Being exempt from military service, Mr Wright was able to go straight into practical mining at the age of 21, commencing at Barnburgh Main Colliery, where he worked for two years in most departments of the colliery, including the fitting shop, electrical department and underground. He was also at Elsecar Colliery workshops for a period.

Some of his mining experience was gained at Kofleck Colliery in Austria, where he visited while on vacation from university. During his three-month stay, he was able to work underground with Austrian miners and learned their methods.

Of mining in Austria, Mr Wright commented: “The conditions are beautiful.”

In August, Mr Wright will finish his three-year period as a student, and will commence duty at a colliery – probably as a junior official.

Mr Wright is married, and has a baby daughter.