Mayor
Bolton: 1938-39 (Conservative)
Born
Bolton 3 May 1883
Died
Bolton 21 February 1972
About

He began his working life as a little piecer in the cotton mill of Nathan Pickering & Sons but in 1906 co-founded with his brother Entwistle Brothers Ltd, timber and metal merchants, Kay Street, Bolton.

Represented East Ward 1919-24 and Tonge Ward from 1926. Alderman 1932. Magistrate September 1940.

He was strongly in favour of a vigorous housing policy in the inter-War years and advocated soundly constructed houses at prices people could afford to pay.

As Mayor he chaired the first meeting of the War Emergency Committee in September 1939.

Chairman of the Watch Committee, Road Safety Committee and the Fire and the Fire Service and Regulating Committee.

In November 1939 he made his last appearance as Chief Magistrate at the sitting of the Borough Court. He disclosed that at the beginning of his Mayoralty, being new to magisterial work, he had resorted to the public library to learn something about his duties. He also acknowledged his indebtedness to the expert guidance of the Magistrate's Clerk, Mr J H Whittingham.

Borough Magistrate 1940.

During his term of office he inaugurated a "50 shilling scheme" where money was raised for the benefit of the Royal Infirmary and Bolton District Nursing Association, which was celebrating its jubilee that year.

On 30 June 1939 the Mayor had been present at the official opening of the Civic Centre, having asked Lord Derby to perform the ceremony. In his speech he said that he knew there had been much opposition to the scheme on the grounds of cost (about £921,000), but he felt that posterity would not criticize them. He believed that the architecture had greatly improved the town centre and had been the cause of profitable development on the adjoining sites.

When he retired in 1967 he was only the third Honorary Aldermen to be elected.

He was member of the Hospital Saturday Council and a Trustee of the Lawrence Brownlow Charity for 10 years.

Rotary Club member.

Chairman of Tonge Cricket Club.

He was a keen supporter of Bolton Wanderers, joining the Board in 1937. He was Club Chairman 1952-53 and again 1961–63. He was made a Life Vice-President in 1969.

His other main hobby was growing roses.

Methodist - lay preacher at Tonge Moor Methodist Church (previously Cable Street Mission.)

His wife, Edith, was Mayoress.

Gallery

Navigation