Author: Nick

Elected (12 seats)

*Edward Hodges	Conservative Party	651
*William Growse	Conservative Party	527
*Charles Randall	Conservative Party	504
Henry Griffiths	Liberal Party	489
*James Jackson	Liberal Party	477
Lincoln Chandler	Conservative Party	474
*George Bostock	Conservative Party	454
*Arthur Street	Liberal Party	450
*Edwin Gee	Conservative Party	444
*Arthur Perkins	Conservative Party	426
Andrew Berkeley	Conservative Party	419
*Charles Carter	Conservative Party	409

Not elected

Madeley Burman	Conservative Party	407
John Clarke	Liberal Party	403
Edward Green	Liberal Party	389
Lord E. Seymour	Conservative Party	359
*William Riley	Liberal Party	358
Job Satchwell	Liberal Party	226

*denotes retiring member

SIX SEAT MAJORITY FOR TORIES

This election did not arouse much interest amongst the electorate, nor the parties for that matter. Prior to the election, the Unionists/Conservatives held just two meetings, and the Liberals none at all.

But in the end, three new members were elected, Berkeley, Chandler and Griffiths. Liberal, William Riley, was the only retiring member to lose his seat.

As part of his election address, Dr. Growse voiced the opinion that a bridge should be placed over the ford. He later confessed that this remark may have lost the Conservatives many votes.

Lord Leigh, Lord Seymour, Randall and Chandler sent out motor-cars to help with the election. While Berkeley, Growse and Weetman sent out carriages.

Three polling stations were used, all at the same place, St. Nicholas schoolrooms in School Lane.

The results were declared on the steps of the council house at 12.12pm on the following day (Tuesday) by returning officer, Mr. J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst.

KUDC Councillors

9 Conservatives (E. Hodges, W. Growse, C. Randall, E. Gee, G. Bostock, C. Chandler, A. Perkins, Maj. Berkeley, C. Carter)

3 Liberals (H. Griffiths, J. Jackson, A Street)

Chairman

Photo courtesy of Warwickshire County Records Office. (ref. PH (N) 600/147/3)

Elected (12 seats)

*Arthur Street	Liberal Party	549
*William Growse	Conservative Party	524
*Edward Hodges	Conservative Party	517
Joseph Crouch	Liberal Party	492
*Charles Randall	Conservative Party	466
*James Jackson	Liberal Party	440
John Clarke	Liberal Party	425
*Henry Griffiths	Liberal Party	422
*Edwin Gee	Conservative Party	418
Andrew Hacking	Liberal Party	376
*Arthur Perkins	Conservative Party	353
*Charles Carter	Conservative Party	352

Not Elected

Ernest Nixon	Conservative Party	344
Madeley Burman	Conservative Party	338
Charles Housiaux	Conservative Party	115
Robert Lynn	Conservative Party	62

*denotes retiring member

Only One Person at Declaration

Only 16 candidates stood in this triennial election. The result being a gain of two seats for the Liberal Party, all six of their candidates being returned, including two new members, Hacking and Clarke. Indeed, this was Mr Clarke’s forth attempt at a KUDC election.

One noticable absentee from the election was George Bostock, who at been on the council since 1898. The reason giving was that he was leaving Kenilworth to live in Cubbington.

Votes recorded totalled 2,704 for the Liberals and 2,630 for the Conservatives.

For the very first time in a Kenilworth election, there were no public meetings held by either party in the town. There was very little use of any traps or carriages displaying any posters, and motor-cars were generally few and far between in bringing people to the polling stations. Voting did increase a little after 7pm, only one hour before polling closed but this is normal in local elections. Polling stations, as usual were at St Nicholas School in School Lane.

The count started at 9am on the following day (Tuesday 8th) at the council house at Upper Rosemary Hill, The declaration came at 11.30am and with the election being so underwhelming, only one member of the public was there to witness it.

Ernest Hadow, the temporary council clerk, carried out the duties of the returning officer due to the illness of Joseph Willington-Wilmshurst. Unfortunately, he died just over a month after the election, on 9th May, he was only 58.

KUDC Councillors

6 Conservatives (W. Growse, E. Hodges, C. Randall, E. Gee, A. Perkins and C. Carter)

6 Liberals (A. Street, J. Crouch, J. Jackson, J. Clarke, H. Griffiths, A. Hacking)

Chairman

photo courtesy of Warwickshire County Records Office. (ref. PH (N) 600/147/3)

Elected (12 seats)

*Charles Randall	Independent	697
*Edward Hodges	Independent	622
*Edwin Gee	Independent	530
*Joseph Crouch	Unattached	460
William Dencer	Local Trades & Labour Council	456
*Charles Carter	Independent	436
*Andrew Hacking	Unattached	434
Ernest Nixon	Independent	429
Warrington Bennett	Independent	426
*James Jackson	Independent	421
Edgar Andrews	Unattached	415
*Henry Griffiths	Unattached	357

Not Elected

Charles Roberts	Local Trades & Labour Council	355
Charles Satchwell	Independent	345
*John Clarke	Unattached	343
Horace Southall	Local Trades & Labour Council	268
Edward Jeacock	Local Trades & Labour Council	257
Walter Crook	Local Trades & Labour Council	219
Arthur Constable	Local Trades & Labour Council	209
William Franklin	Independent	195
Frank Harris	Unattached	97

*denotes retiring member

Turnout 1200 (49%)

Electorate 2440

TWO SEAT MAJORITY FOR INDEPENDENTS

There were two principle parties involved in this election. The ‘Independents’, comprising of nine candidates, who in their joint address stated that they stood for ‘Economy and Efficency’. They also pledged themselves to supporting the housing scheme already in hand, improvements to sanitation, repairs and the up-keep of all the roads. Seven of their nine candidates were elected.

The other party of six candidates, calling themselves the ‘Local Trades and Labour Council’ were less successful. Mr Roberts (carpenter), Mr Southall (victualler and engineer), Mr Jeacock (billposter), Mr Crook (carpenter), Mr Constable (railway signalman) plus Mr Dencer (draper), who was their only successful candidate.

The remaining six candidates were of no specified party organisation. They were totally unattached to the two other groups. But this did not seem to put off voters, as four of their candidates were elected. However, John Clarke, who was elected in 1913 and remained on the council throughout the war, lost his seat

Two members from the old council, Growse and Perkins did not seek re-election. Arthur Street had been nominated to stand in the election but had to withdrew due to health problems. He had stood down as chairman in 1916 because of illness but remained on the committee throughout the war. Another nominee, Henry Rowen, of Whitemoor died following a short illness only two weeks before the election. He had worked at the Whitemoor Brickworks for 30 years, and 20 years as foreman.

The weather on election day was fine, and there seemed very little enthusiasm shown, except in the vicinity of the polling stations. The Independents and the Local Trades each had a committee room in School Lane and most of the candidates were present along the street. A few motor-cars were busy during the day, some of them flying small union jack flags but it wasn’t clear to people who they were supporting. There was an eagerness on the part of canvassers to secure the votes of ladies, who turned out well in comparison to the men.

It was stated in the local press that the ‘middle classes’ had mostly voted during the morning and afternoon but it was in the evening that the workmen, many of which worked in Coventry, recorded their votes.

The results were declared at 11.30am on the following day outside the council house in Upper Rosemary Hill. But with heavy rain falling, and a small crowd present, returning officer Mr Hadow, quickly read out the figures and decided that no speeches would be made.

KUDC Councillors

7 Independents (C. Randall, E. Hodges, E. Gee, C. Carter, E. Nixon, W. Bennett, J. Jackson)

4 Unattached (J. Crouch, A. Hacking, E. Andrews, H. Griffiths)

1 Local Trades and Labour Council (W. Dencer)

Chairman

Chairmans Chain of Office – Courtesy of Warwickshire County Records Office. (ref. PH (N) 600/147/3)

Elected (12 seats)

William Parkinson	Business Group	931
*Edward Hodges	Business Group	863
*Charles Randall	Business Group	829
Charles Barwell	Business Group	804
John Clarke	Independent	689
*William Dencer	Labour Party	684
*Edwin Gee	Business Group	659
*James Jackson	Business Group	608
*Andrew Hacking	Independent	584
*Charles Carter	Business Group	532
William Marriott	Business Group	530
Robert Grindrod	Business Group	524

Not Elected

*Joseph Crouch	Independent	523
Alec Fayerman	British Legion	460
*Ernest Nixon	Business Group	416
Charles Roberts	Labour Party	371
William Bryan	Labour Party	270
Henry Adams	Labour Party	212
Ernest Jenson	Business Group	204
William Shreeve	British Legion	166
John Lees	British Legion	140

*denotes retiring councillor

A Storming Election

Called the ‘Kenilworth’s Snow-Storm Polling Results’ by a local newspaper, due not only to the terrible weather but to the closely contested nature of the poll which ended with five new members being elected. So close was the voting, the final position was won by only one vote, Grindrod from the ‘Business Group’, just getting the better of rival Crouch, an Independent.

Supported by the Conservatives, the eleven business candidates only had two of their candidates fail to be elected. Former police inspector, William Parkinson topped the poll with 931 votes.

The Labour party fielded four candidates, but only one got elected. That being William Dencer, who was a member of the old council. He was first elected three years ago when he stood as a candidate for the group named the ‘Local Trades and Labour Council’.

There was only modest electioneering literature about the town, Clarke send out some leaflets as did the three British Legion candidates. The Labour party attached posters to motor-cars but these were quickly un-readable due to the snow, so that became a wasted exercise.

Four polling stations were used, all at St Nicholas School in School Lane. With the snow falling for most of the day it was felt this reduced the number of people who voted. Large numbers of women voted in this election, many for the first time. Following the declaration, the results were posted on the wall outside of the council house.

8,434 votes were recorded for the elected 12 members.

When the new members take up their positions on the council they will have one major problem to address, the £4.600 overdraft at the bank.

KUDC Councillors

9 Business Group (W. Parkinson, E. Hodges, C. Randall, C. Barwell, E, Gee, J. Jackson, C. Carter, W. Marriott, R. Grindrod)

2 Independents (J. Clarke, A. Hacking)

1 Labour (W. Dencer)

Chairman

photo courtesy of Warwickshire County Records Office. (ref. PH (N) 600/147/3)

Elected (12 seats)

Ernest Hadow	Unattached	1021
*Edward Hodges	Conservative Party	1019
*William Parkinson	Conservative Party	981
*Charles Randall	Conservative Party	864
*Charles Barwell	Conservative Party	852
*William Dencer	Conservative Party	775
*William Marriott	Conservative Party	747
*Robert Grindrod	Conservative Party	714
*Edwin Gee	Conservative Party	710
*John Clarke	Independent	699
K. Rotherham	Independent	573
*Charles Carter	Conservative Party	557

Not Elected

Alfred Keeling	Conservative Party	546
*Andrew Hacking	Independent	508
B. J. Tuck	Labour Party	422
Eustace Carey-Hill	Conservative Party	401
Warrington Bennett	Unattached	399
A. Fayermen	Unattached	369
William Hiorns	Unattached	361
H. H. A. Eykyn	Unattached	355
Percy Fox	Independent	333
G. Hughes	Unattached	314
H. Moss	Conservative Party	313
W. Webster	Independent	279
W. Shreeve	Unattached	197
G. Mason	Unattached	188
T. Sykes	Unattached	169

*denotes retiring councillor

‘The Twelve’ Return Nine in Heavy Poll

A group of present councillors (plus some new candidates) fought the election as ‘The Twelve’, somewhat similar to the 1922 election when they called themselves the ‘Business Group’. Who, were infact, supported by the Conservative Party. Their election cry being, ‘economy combined with efficency’.

Polling took place as usual at St. Nicholas School in School Lane from 8am to 8pm, where four polling stations were used inside the school. 27 candidates took part in the election.

There was a slow start to the polling with only about a hundred people voting in the first hour. But there was a steady stream of arrivals throughout the day despite the drizzling rain . The weather changed in the afternoon to a bright spring day, which may have encouraged more people to vote. Well, something aroused the electorate as 1700 votes were recorded, a local record.

The count took place at the council house in Upper Rosemary Hill at 9am on the following day (Tuesday 7th). Returning officer, Sholto Douglas, declared the results at the door of the council house at 1.30pm. No demonstrations of any kind took place. There was a large number of spoilt ballot papers, mainly due to people voting for more than maximum twelve candidates.

There was a strong vote in favour of the old councillors, which resulted in only two new members being elected, Hadow and Rotherham. They replaced, Hacking (not re-elected) and Jackson, who did not seek re-election due to retirement after 30 years on the council.

Dencer who was first elected at the 1919 election for the ‘Local Trades & Labour Council’ and again in 1922 as a Labour candidate, had now switched to the Conservatives.

The ‘Unattached’ group fielded nine candidates, but only one was elected, Ernest Hadow, who was standing for the first time in a Kenilworth election. He was the former KUDC clerk.

KUDC Councillors

9 Conservatives (E. Hodges, W. Parkinson, C. Randall, C. Barwell, W. Dencer, W. Marriott, R. Grindrod, E. Gee, C. Carter)

2 Independents (J. Clarke, K. Rotherham)

1 Unattached (E. Hadow)

Chairman

photo courtesy of Warwickshire County Records Office. (ref. PH (N) 600/147/3)

Alfred Keeling	Independent	547
Eliza Mary Cole	Labour Party	63

HEAVY LABOUR DEFEAT IN THE ‘TEN BOB’ ELECTION

This by-election was called due to resignation of member, Dr. William Marriott, in July, who had left the town. His resignation came only four months after being re-elected at the triennial election. But it caused much disagreement amongst some of the members. The main issue being the cost of the election. The council clerk, Mr Platt had received the resignation and the ‘fixed penalty’ of 10 shillings from Mr Marriott. Chairman, Cllr Barwell proposed that the seat was now vacant and was seconded by Cllr Gee. But Cllr Hadow protested saying that he didn’t see why the town should be put through the cost of another election. He felt that Mr. Marriott should not be allowed to resign at the cost of just 10 shillings when an election may cost up to £40. But any member has the right to resign, depending on their personnal circumstances, so the council had an obligation to hold a by-election. Especially as there was two years and eight months before the next triennial election. The chairman’s resolution was passed with Cllr Clarke and of course Cllr Hadow, voting against.

The contest, which did not excite much interest, was basically a fight between Conservative and Labour. For Mrs Cole it was the first time that a lady had stood in a Kenilworth election. She may well have regreted it as her opponent gained a majority of 484. Although Keeling had support from the Conservatives, rather oddly he decided to stand as an Independent. He had stood at the triennial election back in April (as a conservative) but came 13th in the poll, eleven votes short.

Polling took place not at the usual Central School in School Lane but at St. Nicholas school at the ‘Blundells’. Four polling stations were used for this election which in hindsight was far too many (and costly) as less than 20% of the electorate bothered to vote. Hence the polling was slow all day and only increased in the evening when people returned from work. The declaration, by the returning officer, Mr Platt was at 8.30pm, only 30 minutes after the polls had closed.

In the course of her election address, Mrs Cole stated; ‘I venture to urge that it is not unfair that Labour should have a share of representation on the local council in order that the ideas of the workers may be adequately voiced’. She also added; “I am in favour of an annual election as I consider three years between them too long. I favour the retirement of four members annually, who would be eligible for re-election. I am also in favour of the town being divided into four Wards: Central, South, West and East”.

Mrs Cole did eventually get her wish for the Ward system in Kenilworth but that took another nine years, being introduced in 1934. She never stood in a Kenilworth election ever again.

8 Conservatives (E. Hodges, W. Parkinson, C. Randall, C. Barwell, W, Dencer, R. Grindrod, E. Gee, M Carter)

3 Independents (J. Clarke, K. Rotherman, A. Keeling)

1 Unattached (E. Hadow)

Elected (12 seats)

*John Clarke	Independent	999
*Edward Hodges	Coalition	984
William Hiorns	Independent	921
*William Parkinson	Coalition	871
*William Dencer	Independent	835
*Charles Randall	Coalition	805
*William Bostock	Coalition	761
Eustace Carey-Hill	Coalition	761
*Robert Grindrod	Coalition	739
*Charles Carter	Coalition	697
*Edwin Gee	Coalition	686
*Alfred Keeling	Coalition	663

Not Elected

Arthur Read	Coalition	650
George Hughes	British Legion	639
Miles Smallwood	Coalition	435
David Mowbray	Independent	339
Thomas Tipson	Independent	359
Percy Fox	Coalition	336

*denotes retiring councillor

Electorate 3200 (Turnout 53.6%)

9 Spoilt Ballot Papers

‘Coalition Twelve’ Get Nine Elected

Polling day passed off uneventfully, and was very slow going. Many motor-cars were seen driving around the town which bore the slogan ‘Vote for the Twelve’. They stated in their manifesto; ‘We do not stand in the interests of any party, class or creed but distinctly and entirely independent in every way, believing that we can be of service to the town in promoting its well-being‘.

There were no surprising results, although John Clarke topping the poll was. He has always had a good following but in previous elections he had been half way up the list. He was the only candidate in the election who posted leaflets with his photograph and manifesto to all the electorate. This obviously did him no harm at all, with his jovial and kindly face.

William Dencer has now been elected to the council on four occasions, in 1919 for the Local Trades & Labour Council, in 1922 for the Labour Party, in 1925 as a Conservative but in this election he stood as an Independent and still got elected. It seems that he has finally got fed-up with party politics and just wanted to serve the town.

All candidates who stood for re-election from the old council were returned, many of them being part of the ‘Twelve’.

Hodges coming second, was no surprise to anybody as he always seems to be there or thereabouts. New member, Hiorns in third place, did extremley well, considering he was rejected at the 1925 election. Since then however, he has made himself better known to townsfolk. Carey-Hill as Kenilworth people will know, takes a great deal of interest in the Abbey ruins, was elected for the first time and was not unexpected, although he had failed to be elected three years ago.

One bone of contention was the final candidate elected, Alfred Keeling. He had left Kenilworth to live in Harbury before the election and that is probably why he only just scrapped through. He had failed in the 1925 election but was voted onto the council in a by-election in August of the same year. Rules stated that to be a candidate you must have lived in the district for 12 months prior to an election. But obviously the rules weren’t clear enough. Keeling had lived in the town for well over 12 months, years infact, before the election, but was not resident at the time of the election. Would this have been against the rules? But it looks like the County Council must have adjudicated on this matter because he remained on the council.

The counting took place at the council house in Upper Rosemary Hill on the following day. Results were declared in the early afternoon by returning officer, Sholto Douglas.

KUDC Councillors

9 Coalition (E Hodges, W. Parkinson, C. Randall, W. Bostock, E. Carey-Hill, R Grindrod, E. Gee, A. Keeling, C. Carter)

3 Independents (J. Clarke, W. Hiorns, W. Dencer)

Chairman

Photo courtesy of Warwickshire County Records Office. (ref. PH (N) 600/147/3)

Elected (12 seats)

*Charles Randall	Ratepayers Association	1261
*John Clarke	Unattached	1254
*Capt. A. Wilson	Ratepayers Association	1254
*Edward Hodges	Independent	1059
*William Hiorns	Unattached	1009
Warrington Bennett	Ratepayers Association	1002
Allen Spaven	Ratepayers Association	979
*William Bostock	Independent	975
Thomas Jackson	Ratepayers Association	916
Elizabeth Lily Randall	Ratepayers Association	903
*Edwin Gee	Independent	889
H. Wells Lawrence	Ratepayers Association	848

Not Elected

S. Rollason	Ratepayers Association	794
W. Griffiths	Ratepayers Association	776
George Hughes	Ratepayers Association	736
*Charles Carter	Independent	715
Major B.Thomas	Independent	688
George Tisdale	Independent	682
Capt. G. Savage	Independent	642
Mrs M. Chapman	Ratepayers Association	642
Frank Weetman	Independent	565
R. H. Seekings	Ratepayers Association	471
J. Smith	Independent	259

*denotes retiring councillor

Electorate 3690

Turnout 2122

Ratepayers Day – Former Chairman Gone

The election was somewhat over shadowed by the recent death of James Everett Jackson who had served on the council from 1894 to 1925, apart from one year (1901/1902). By trade, he was a cabinet maker, coffin maker and undertaker for over 54 years. He was also a volunteer in the local Fire Brigade for 40 years. He was 79 years-old.

The Ratepayers Association, had formed due to the inconsisent rates within the town, fielded twelve candidates. They were successful in gaining seven seats, including the first ever woman to be elected to the council, Mrs Elizabeth Lily Randall.

The ‘Independent Party’, who fielded nine candidates, gained just three seats.

The remaining two seats were filled by re-elected members, Hiorns and Clarke, who, not wishing to get involved in party politics, ran as ‘unattached’ candidates.

One member that did not seek re-election was Alfred Keeling who was first elected at a by-election in 1925. Due to business commitments, he was absent from many meetings, especially over the last couple of years. (He later died in Perth, Austrailia in 1934 whilst on a business trip, he was only 52 years-old)

Charles Carter, who ran as an Independent, had been the chairman for the last two years, was not re-elected, coming well down the list. It came as a shock and disappointment to a lot of people. (apart from his political rivals)

KUDC Councillors

7 Ratepayers Association (H. Lawrence, C. Randall, Lily Randall, A. Spaven, W. Bennett, Capt. Wilson, T. Jackson)

3 Independents (E. Gee, W. Bostock, E. Hodges)

2 Unattached (J. Clarke, W. Hiorns)

Chairman

photo courtesy of Warwickshire County Records Office. (ref. PH (N) 600/147/3)

George Tisdale	Ind	897
Reginald Asplen	Ind	788

Tisdale Elected

A vacancy had arisen due the death of long-standing councillor Edward Hodges. He had served on the council since 1894, the longest serving member to-date (37 years). He had also done three stints as chairman (totaling six years), 1911-13, 1922-25 and 1928-29. Before that he had served on the Local Board. Several present councillors and officials attended his funeral, which took place at St. Nicholas Parish Church. He was 77 years-old.

Both candidates stood as ‘Independents’ but it was widely known that Dr. Asplen had the support of the Ratepayers Association.

One week before the election, a public meeting, supporting Mr.Tisdale, took place at the Abbey Hotel. Strong criticism was voiced against the opposition party, the Ratepayers Association. Chairman of the meeting, Mr Carey-Hill, said the deliberations of the council during the six months they have held office had been more remarkable for their duration rather than their results.

The present chairman of KUDC, Allen Spaven, said during the last election, that high rate assessments were the cause of the formation of the association. They endeavoured to put the assessments on an equitable basis and on that plea, they gained seven seats on the council. Mr Carey-Hill submitted that the efforts of the so-called Ratepayers Association had not turned their election promises into facts.

The victorious Mr.Tisdale, who had failed to be elected at the triennial election six months ago worked extremely hard throughout his campaign, supported by many helpers, he was determined not to fail this time. Dr Asplen too, found many ardent supporters to help his cause. Cars bearing placards for both candidates were much in evidence on polling day. Voting was slow as usual during the morning but by mid-day onwards, the polling clerks were kept busy.

The Polling Stations were open for 12 hours from 8am to 8pm and the results were declared at 9.30 by returning officer, Mr Whittaker. There were five spoilt ballot papers.

7 Ratepayers Association (Mr Lawrence, Mr Randall, Mrs Randall, Mr Spaven, Mr Bennet, Mr Wilson, Mr Jackson)

3 Independents (Mr Gee, Mr Bostock, Mr Tisdale)

2 Unattached (Mr Clarke, Mr Hiorns)

Abbey Ward (3 seats)

Frederick Faxon	Independent Party	u/o
William Griffiths	Independent Party	u/o
*George Tisdale	Independent Party	u/o

Castle Ward (3 seats)

Maj. Henry Watling	Independent Party	446
Leonard Smalley	Unattached	376
*William Hiorns	Unattached	262
*Elizabeth Lily Randall	Unattached	212

Park Hill Ward (3 seats)

*Thomas Jackson	Independent Party	258
James Leaver	Labour Party	188
James Akerman	Independent Party	179
Herbert Fairbrother	Labour Party	108
Charles Roberts	Labour Party	103

Borrowell Ward (3 seats)

Samuel Rollason	Independent Party	u/o
*William Bostock	Independent Party	u/o
*Edwin Gee	Independent Party	u/o

*denotes retiring member

Ward System Arrives – But ‘Clever Tricks’ Spoil The Day

This was the first KUDC election where wards were introduced and it caused a bit of a stir.

The local press reported that the ‘clever tricks’ adopted by the ‘Independent nine’, where they nominated the same candidates in more than one ward, which, ultimately, prevented contests in Abbey and Borrowell. On 13th March, two weeks before the election they ‘withdrew’ six candidates but in reality only one was actually withdrawn, that of Mr Hughes in Borrowell. The other five withdrawals are those of the candidates who were nominated in other wards. This ridiculous situation did not go down with many people, and only caused confusion amongst the electorate.

18-year veteran of the council, John Clarke, did not seek re-election. He had been on the council from 1913 to 1919 and then from 1922 until this year. He’s now aged 73, but business pressures have caused his retirement. He was the chairman in 1932-33.

Labour stood in only one ward, Park Hill, where James Leaver managed to get elected. He is the manager of the Co-operative Store in Park Road.

Mrs Elizabeth (Lily) Randall who was elected three years ago, lost her seat in Castle ward. Leaving no women on the council.

The council is now a combination of old and new faces. The closest contest was in Castle Ward where Major Watling topped the poll. Voting was poor in Park Hill, where the turnout was less than 50%.

Returning officer was Mr J. C. Whittaker.

KUDC Councillors

9 Independent Party (H. Watling, T. Jackson, J. Akerman, F. Faxon, W. Griffiths, G. Tisdale, S. Rollason, W. Bostock, E. Gee)

2 Unattached (L. Smalley, W. Hiorns)

1 Labour (Mr Leaver)

Chairman

1934-35 George Tisdale

Council Clerk – Mr J. C. Whittaker