News on Screen

Series

Series Name

Mining Review 6th Year

Issue

Issue No.

12

Date Released

Aug 1953

Stories in this Issue:

• 1. SAVING CAMPAIGN
• 2. MORE POWER TO HIS ELBOW
• 3. OUTWARD BOUND

Story

Story No. within this Issue

1 / 3

Summary

BFI synopsis: the training of ambulance cadets for St John Ambulance Brigade at Blidworth colliery
NCB Commentary - Blidworth Colliery is a name to be reckoned with in the national St. John’s Ambulance Brigade competitions.
Here, the younger generation are the front line in a flourishing colliery first-aid organisation. Boys like these have joined the Brigade to make themselves more useful to their fellow-citizens as well as to their workmates. They train under Jack Wedd, the colliery ambulance superintendent, who’s clocked up a good score of years in the service of St. John’s.
It’s time for a junior cadets’ team practice. The rpoblem for the boys is going to be this: a house full of gas with an unconscious man of the floor. Watch how they set about it, and remember that most of these lads are still of school age.
When there’s gas about, you’ve got to keep the patient flat - and you want to keep as close to the floor as possible yourself. Once you’ve got the patient out into the fresh air, artificial respiration is the first thing. Here’s another point; stopping a passer-by to take a message to ambulance and police.
Jack Wedd is there to keep an eye on the boys and mark up the score. That smoking in the background is there to catch with boys, but with gas about you don’t take any chances.
The whole operation goes fast and smooth; a suspected fracture has been dealt with, and the gassed man treated for shock.
Jack Wedd looks after the senior team as well. Their problem is one from the mines: a man injured by a fall of coal. Once again, speed of operation and certainty in what you’re doing are the all-important points.
The boys at Blidworth are ready to deal with emergencies, and they’re ready too to add to the colliery’s collection of trophies. Jack Wedd can afford now and again to relax over a drink and take some of the credit that’s his due.

Researcher Comments

Commentary recorded 6 July 1953.

Keywords

Organisations; Education and training; Health and medicine; Children; Competitions; Youth

Locations

England; Nottinghamshire

Written sources

British Film Institute Databases   Used for synopsis
Film User   Vol.8 No.87 January 1954, p32.
The National Archives COAL 32   /3 Scripts for Mining Review, 1949-1956

Credits:

Production Co.

Documentary Technicians Alliance

Sponsor

National Coal Board