News on Screen

Series

Series Name

Mining Review 5th Year

Issue

Issue No.

7

Date Released

Mar 1952

Stories in this Issue:

• 1. LEARNER DRIVER
• 2. THE JACKPOT
• 3. PERSONAL CALL: 3. WE VISIT THRISLINGTON

Story

Story No. within this Issue

1 / 3

Summary

BFI synopsis: Training diesel drivers on the surface at Ollerton.
NCB Commentary - At Ollerton Colliery these ten ton Diesel locos will soon be underground hauling coal. But before they can go down, men have to be trained to drive them. The driving course is being given to men who were on underground haulage, or who are compensation cases on light work.
This is Harry Kirby - fireman fitter underground who has worked at Ollerton since the pit opened. He’ll be responsible for the diesels when they go down. Driver-pupil is Bill Smith. In 1946 he had a bad accident which put his right leg out of notion for heavy work. He’s pleased now because the job will be easy on his leg and because he likes machinery anyhow.
But he’s not so pleased about this gaga Learner ... he’ll learn the bloke who put that one up.

Researcher Comments

BFI sources suggest that this story was filmed from the 1st to the 3rd January 1952. The budget was £98 8s 10d. Commentary recorded 4 February 1952.

Keywords

Education and training; Railways; Mining; Disabled persons

Locations

England; Nottinghamshire; Ollerton

Written sources

British Film Institute Databases   Used for synopsis
Film User   Vol.6 No.74 December 1952, p651.
The National Archives COAL 32   /3 Scripts for Mining Review, 1949-1956

Credits:

Production Co.

Documentary Technicians Alliance

Camera

John Gunn

Commentator

John Slater

Sponsor

National Coal Board

Camera

Ronald Bicker

Director

Tony Thompson