Author: Nick

Elected

Not Elected

*denotes retiring councillor

‘LOTTERY’ FOR FIFTH PLACE

Normally, only four councillors were required to stand down for an annual election, but in this case it turned out that five members would need to be elected. This was due to the resignation of councillor, John Nelson (Conservative) who was off to South Africa to serve in the Boar war with the Warwickshire Volunteers. He was first elected to the council in October 1898.

Of the four members who put themselves forward for re-election, two were returned, Gee and Bostock, who had switched to the Conservatives (from Independents) but the two Liberals, James and Jackson were not re-elected.

It was found that Keartland and Jackson (both Liberals) had tied for fifth place on 312 votes. But the strangest thing happened. Firstly, Jackson, not wishing to give trouble to a re-count offered to give way to Keartland. But the returning officer Mr J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst, would not allow this informal method of settlement. What he should have done next was to exercise his power of a casting vote, but he chose not to do so. So instead, he decided to ‘draw lots’ for the fifth place, which went in favour of Keartland.

After the poll had finished at 8pm, the ballot boxes were taken to the council house and counting was quickly concluded by 9 o’clock. The declaration came at 11.15pm outside the council house, in front of about 100 people.

KUDC Councillors

8 Conservatives (Bourne, Growse, Bostock, Gee, Hodges, Weetman, Smith, Stringer)

3 Liberals (Street, Keartland, Murdock)

1 Independent (Welsh)

Chairman

1901-02 Edmond Bourne

Council Clerk – Mr J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst

Elected

Not Elected

*denotes retiring councillor

SIX SEAT MAJORITY FOR TORIES

James Jackson regained his seat following the ‘drawing of lots’ against fellow Liberal Keartland in last year’s election. Ironically, Keartland lost his seat this time around.

Holmes (Con) was re-elected after two years away from the council. Independent member Welsh did not seek re-election, who was first elected back in 1894.

The polling was reported to have been unusually slow for most of the day but the total number of voters was about normal. There was only one spoilt ballot paper. A large crowd had congregated outside the council house when the declaration came at 11pm. The results were read out by Acting returning officer Mr. J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst.

KUDC Councillors

9 Conservatives (Bourne, Hodges, Holmes, Growse, Bostock, Gee, Weetman, Stringer, Smith)

3 Liberals (Jackson, Street, Murdock)

Council Clerk – Mr. J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst

Elected

*denotes retiring councillor

UNOPPOSED ELECTION – ‘THE KNIGHT’ RETURNS

Four councillors had been nominated for ‘retirement’, these being: Smith, Stringer, Murdock and Weetman. However, Murdock was leaving Kenilworth and Smith did not want to offer himself for re-election.

But with only the two vacancies to fill it was considered by both Parties that an election might be avoided if each party selected a candidate to fill the two seats. This resulted in Herbert and Knight being co-opted. It was also agreed that present members, Weetman and Stringer would be elected unopposed. This agreement would not alter the political make-up of the council and with the triennial elections returning next year they decided this was a convenient arrangement for this year.

Richard Knight was first elected at the inaugural KUDC election in 1894, being one of the ‘Liberal/Separatist Eight’ but on seeking re-election in 1897, he lost his seat. Co-opted member, Alfred Herbert is new to the council.

KUDC Councillors

9 Conservatives (Bourne, Hodges, Holmes, Growse, Bostock, Gee, Weetman, Stringer, Herbert)

3 Liberals (Jackson, Street, Knight)

Council Clerk – Mr J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst

Elected (12 seats)

Not Elected

*denotes retiring councillor

FIRST FULL ELECTION FOR 10 YEARS – TORIES RULE

This was the first triennial election of the KUDC since the inaugural poll of 1894. Up until this point, the council was using the annual election system, where one-third of councillors needed to retire and seek re-election. But the suggestion of adopting triennial elections permanently had been discussed by the council back in 1901, at which time it was voted through unanimously. But it took three years to sort out the details (with the County Council) and revert back to it permanently. Several reasons were put forward for the change. Money would be saved from not having elections every year and it would also stop the ill-feeling and friction that always seemed to happen during annual elections. Plus the fact that the electorate were getting fed-up with having to vote every year.

Liberal Richard Knight, who was elected back onto the council un-opposed at last years annual election surprisingly lost his seat. But fellow Liberal, William Riley was returned, having previously served between 1894-1898. Conservatives, Alfred Herbert and Capt Stringer who were elected onto the council last year in the annual election, did not seek re-election.

The counting took place at 9am the following day. The result was declared by returning officer Mr. J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst, outside the council house in Upper Rosemary Hill at 1.10pm. Despite the inclement weather a decent crowd had gathered to hear the results.

A local newspaper stated; “The rain in the evening prevented anything like any demonstration, which is usual at the close of the poll, neither was there any disturbance during the day so the police had a quiet time”.

KUDC Councillors

8 Conservatives (Gee, Bostock, Growse, Hodges, Bourne, Berkeley, Weetman, Margetts)

4 Liberals (Jackson, Randall, Street, Riley)

Chairman

1904-05 Edmund Bourne

1905-06 Edmund Bourne

1906-07 Edmund Bourne

Council Clerk – Mr. J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst

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

Elected (12 seats)

Not Elected

*denotes retiring councillor

FOUR SEAT MAJORITY FOR TORIES

More interest was shown over this triennial election than is normally the case. There was one or two topics to arouse the interest of the ratepayers, notably that of the on-going issue with the sewage farm. The other being that too many farmers were on the council, four of them. But with an average vote of 464 each, this vindicated their inclusion. So, the result of the election shows that the ratepayers endorsed the action of their representatives in this matter.

All the old members who offered themselves up for re-election were returned. Maj. Berkeley and Edward Margetts did not seek re-election. They were replaced by Mr Barnett and Mr Carter.

Several motor-cars and carriages were lent by the conservatives candidates and supporters to ‘assist’ voters to the polling stations. The Liberals only had one motor-car plus two or three carriages for assistance, which probably didn’t help their cause. Charles Randall who was elected as a Liberal in 1904, had now switched to the Conservatives.

Polling took place as usual was at St. Nicholas schoolrooms, School Lane and three polling stations were used. Voters were allotted a station by the initial of their surname. Voting commenced at 8am until 8pm. Returning officer was Mr. J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst.

KUDC Councillors

8 Conservatives (Growse, Hodges, Bourne, Randall, Bostock, Gee, Carter, Weetman)

4 Liberals (Jackson, Street, Barnett, Riley)

Chairman

1907-08 William Growse

1908-09 William Growse

1909-10 William Growse

Council Clerk – Mr. J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst

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

(2 seats)

Electorate 1000

Turnout 658

SIX SEAT MAJORITY FOR TORIES

This election was to fill two vacancies, one was due to the death of Mr Barnett, the other for the resignation of longstanding chairman, Edmund Bourne.

Polling took place at St. Nicholas Schoolrooms in School Lane, where three polling stations were used. There was a great absence of interest on part of the voters and if it were not for the energetic helpers bringing people in motor-cars and carriages, one would not have thought an election was being held at all.

The count was conducted on the day after the election (Tuesday 20th) at the council house in Upper Rosemary Hill. Results were declared at around 10am by acting returning officer, Mr. J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst.

Both the two successful candidates are new to the council. Although, Mr Perkins had just missed out in the 1907 election.

‘Unattached’ candidate, Mr Swain, who finished bottom of the pile with a meagre 18 votes, apparently stated before polling; ‘I do not want my friends voting for me’. Well, Mr Swain, you got your wish and it looks like not many people who weren’t your friend, didn’t bother to vote for you either.

KUDC Councillors

9 Cons/Unionists (Perkins, Nelson, Growse, Hodges, Randall, Bostock, Gee, Carter, Weetman)

3 Liberals (Jackson, Street, Riley)

Elected (12 seats)

Not Elected

*denotes retiring councillor

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. William 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 Acting returning officer, Mr. J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst.

KUDC Councillors

9 Conservatives (Hodges, Growse, Randall, Gee, Bostock, Chandler, Perkins, Berkeley, Carter)

3 Liberals (Griffiths, Jackson, Street)

Chairman

1910-11 Edwin Gee

1911-12 Edward Hodges

1912-13 Edward Hodges

Council Clerk – Mr J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst

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