14th August 1942
Removal of Railings to Begin

A start is to be made from tomorrow in removing "all unnecessary iron and steel railings, posts, chains, bollards, gates, stiles, etc in the borough."

An official announcement to that effect was made in The Express last week, and work may be expected to start at any time. In some centres, it has raised complaint, not for its origin or purpose, but for the manner of performance. No doubt the Pontefract Corporation, which is responsible for the work in the town, will have noted the complaints elsewhere, and will hope to avoid them in Pontefract. The announcement laid down conditions for claims of compensation, and also mentioned that the authorities hope that such material may be given to the nation, for the war effort. Whether given or not, the imperative need for it remains, and Pontefract people are asked to prepare for making the same sacrifice, or for putting up with the same inconvenience, as has been experienced already in hundreds of towns and cities which have been stripped of railings.

But, good as this recovery of scrap metal from railings is, more must be found from this source if our future supplies of war weapons are to be maintained. That is why all the railings and gates in the district that can be taken must go to the nations melting pot. Every hundredweight counts in the scales, which must be weighed down before victory is achieved. (abridged version)

1942 INDEX