One of Maltby's Finest
JAMES FLETCHER MBE
James (Jim) Fletcher was born in Kilton hospital, Notts on the 27th January, 1952. His parents, Tom and Rhoda Fletcher moved from Houghton-le-Spring, Co. Durham to Harworth, Notts in 1951, prior to moving into Nelson Road, Maltby in 1953. Jim lived in Nelson Road throughout his formative years until his marriage to Jean in 1974.
Jim was schooled at: Walters Road Nursery School (1955 – 1957), Maltby Crags Infants and Primary Schools (1957 – 1963) then Maltby Comprehensive School (1963 – 1967). On completion of schooling he started work at Maltby Colliery as a mining entrant with a view to becoming a face worker. After 3 weeks he successfully applied to be trained as an apprentice and was enrolled as an apprentice electrician. On completion of his apprenticeship he was indentured as an electrician at Maltby Colliery. Jim then spent the next 30 years as an underground electrician at the colliery. He also spent 17 of those years as a member of the mines rescue team, of which he was the captain for 10 years. During his time in the rescue team he, and others, attended many incidents at various mines where the lives of men and the safety of the collieries were at risk. In 1996 he left the colliery and gained employment with British Rail Signals Team. He was made redundant in 2010 and thereupon retired from paid employment. During his years in the coal industry he and his family suffered hardship during the strikes of 1972, 1974 and 1984. During the 1984 strike both Jim and Jean were very active in the 'Soup Kitchen' which was set up in the Church of Ascension. This was a vital cog in the organisation which brought much needed relief to striking miners and their families.
His marriage to Jean has resulted in the birth of two children: Andrew, who was born in 1977 and is currently the assistant head of a school near Wigan in Lancashire. Their daughter, Lisa was born in 1981 and is managing a recruitment business based in Wakefield. They have two grandchildren from Andrews marriage: Daisy, aged 7 and Annie, aged 3.
At a relatively young age Jim developed an interest in the local community. This led him to becoming enrolled as a parent governor at Maltby Comprehensive School (now Maltby Academy) in 1992. He has overseen many changes in the school and is now the nominated governor for safeguarding and Special Educational Needs. He became a magistrate in 2000, and now sits on both the adult and youth court benches. He is an integral member of the Magistrates in the Community Project, where local magistrates visit schools and many other organisations to explain the role of magistrates and how the justice system is administered. They also work within the Life Wise concept which plays a vital role in directing young people down the correct paths. Jim is also a trustee of the Schools Lands Foundation which is based at Sandbeck Park and was set up by Lord Scarbrough in 1714.
Throughout his life he has been associated with football. He represented all his schools before being picked for Maltby under 16's when he was just 14 years old. He then played for the under 18's prior to being selected for Maltby Main 1st XI. He retired from playing when he was 40 years old, arguably making him Maltby's longest serving player. In 1990 Jim became a manager of one of the teams at Maltby Juniors Football Club This club was formed in 1987 and now fields many teams of various age groups. He later moved into the admin side of the club by taking on the role of secretary. After a short time in this role he was asked to take on the role of president of the club. He accepted the challenge and he is still active in that role today.
As a result of all the community activity that Jim has carried out in Rotherham generally, and Maltby specifically he received a letter from HM Government on the 21st November 2016 informing him that he was to appear in the New Years Honours List and was to be made a Member of the Britsh Empire and to be awarded the MBE The citation read:
FOR SERVICES TO ROTHERHAM AND IT'S COMMUNITIES
We must not forget a special person without whom this community work and the subsequent award would not have been possible. As the old adage says: 'Behind every good man there is a good woman'. Without the backing and assistance from his wife Jean, none of Jim's work within the community would have been possible. Therefore we must not forget that the award that Jim has received is as much down to Jean as it is to Jim.
On March 2nd 2017 Jim attended Buckingham Palace to receive his award from Prince William. The occasion was witnessed by his wife, Jean, his son Andrew, his daughter-in-law Amy, his daughter Lisa and her fiancee James.
Jim and Jean's story is proof that, with the right attitude and determination, good things can and do happen to working class people. Jim is a very worthy recipient of the MBE and Maltby should be proud of him.
WJ Spilsbury
