1889 Denaby Explosives Works

“In 1889, following the granting of a government permit, the Flameless Explosives Company commenced operations at Denaby. They were to manufacture ‘Securite’ which was claimed had special properties which superseded gunpowder or other materials used for blasting operations in mines. Before beginning work employees had in the early days to divest themselves of their ordinary attire and assume woollen garments specially made and supplied by the company. The regulations in force were to be of ‘the most stringent character, although only the remotest danger is to feared and a catastrophe can only be brought about by the most gross carelessness’. In spite of this many accidents did occur over the years, but none of great magnitude.

Staff were all paid well and later into the 1900’s were provided with many social facilities including a bowling green, two tennis courts and a recreation room with table tennis tables. Protective clothing was laundered there for the workers, there was a nurse who dealt with minor ailments, an excellent works canteen, and lunchtime concerts, by the ‘Workers Playtime’ radio programme. The management ran a good pension scheme, and a savings bank and when workers reached the age of 21 they were given shares in the company according to each year of service.

Jobs at the ‘Powder Works’ were much sought after because there were few other opportunities for women and girls. Most had to leave the village to work in service as cooks or housemaids, and to work in the woollen mills of West Yorkshire or Mackintosh’s Toffee Works, right up to the early days of the second world war."

p. 10, ‘Denaby and Cadeby Miner’s Memorial Chapel’ Pamphlet.