South Yorkshire Times, July 21, 1951

School Playfield

‘Controversy ‘at Swinton

Mr. J. R. Beck told Swinton Primary School Managers on Tuesday that a suggestion that land at present in use as allotments adjoining the Mexborough L.N.E.R. sports field might be suitable as a playing field for Swinton Bridge School had caused “some controversy” among the allotment holders. The allotment holders have told him that “Your council has refused to give a field which is practically no good at all to anyone but children and then they want to take the allotments from us.”

County Coun. M. Creighton said the strongest opposition he would offer to the suggestion was that railways were a tremendous attraction to children; they would not be able to have organised games because children were always attracted by passing engines and trains.

It was explained that this particular site was not near the railway, and Cllr. H. F. M. Balding said that the solution would be to remove the air raid shelters from the school playground.

The Divisional Education Officer (Mr. B. E. Stockdale) replied that they have tried to get shelters demolished, but they always received the same answer; there was a standstill order about shelters from the Home Office.

Coun. Balding said he would prefer the question of getting the shelters demolished to taking allotments.  Mr. Stockdale asked if the shelters were demolished, would the space be large enough for a playing field?