Richard Matthews

Known as Dick Matthews - son of Jonathan Matthews, a coal miner.

Father of Richard Matthews, Mayor of Farnworth 1952-53.

He was a bobbin carrier at the age of ten and then worked as a collier for thirty years.

Union activist - represented the Pendlebury Branch of the Miners Federation to the Lancashire and Cheshire Federation.

He left the industry to become the first agent of Farnworth Divisional Labour Party 1918-46 and was agent to George Tomlinson MP.

In 1919 he became one of the first three Labour Councillors to be elected to Kearsley Urban District Council. He later lost his seat but was re-elected in the mid-1920s representing West Ward and continued as a Councillor until retiring in 1950.

He was the first Chairman of Kearsley Urban District Council to wear the Chairman's Chain of Office.

As Chairman of the Housing Committee he was presented with a gold key on opening a new housing estate at Tasker's Lane in Kearsley on 1 August 1929. He also opened the Clifton Street estate on 11 June 1921 and Springfield Road housing estate - attending the opening of Kearsley's 1000th Council home there as Council Chairman on 19 June 1948.

He was instrumental in the building of Kearsley County Branch Library and George Tomlinson Secondary Modern School where the Hall is named in his memory. He was the first person to be issued with a book at Kearsley County Branch Library when it was opened in 1950.

Secretary and Trustee of Farnworth & Kearsley Labour Club.

Governor of Farnworth Grammar School.

Magistrate February 1932. County Magistrate.

He was also a member of Lancashire County Council representing Kearsley and Little Lever from 1937. County Alderman from 1948.

"No part of Lancashire could have had a more ardent and faithful servant than Alderman Matthews."

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