Farnham Slade

Foreman steam engine maker.

He was the Senior Foreman in the machine shop at Horwich Locomotive Works for many years and retired from the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway in 1910.

The son of a blacksmith, he came to Horwich after a spell at Miles Platting, Manchester and lived at 61 Victoria Road, Horwich.

Represented Central Ward for 9 years from 1903. County Alderman.

Chairman of the Horwich and Westhoughton Education Committee for many years and made many changes to the local education system. Many improvements at Lostock Industrial School were attributed to him.

Vice Chairman of the Education Committee on Lancashire County Council.

Organizer and first Chairman of the Horwich Pensions Committee.

A locomotive used at Calderstones Hospital near Whalley in Lancashire was named "Farnham Slade" after him.

"He was looked on as the teachers' friend and no one was more popular. He raised the prestige of elementary schools and impressed upon the public the importance of education, fixed local attention on the subject and shaped local pride in education. He devoted a great deal of his life's work to education. He was a true educational  stalwart."

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