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.
In late October 1962, the manageress of the Bear & Ragged Staff Hotel, Mrs Doris Harley, informed Kenilworth Police about a theft from the premises. Brain Painter a barman, aged 24, from Cheshire, who had worked at the ‘Bear’ for about two months, had disappeared along with around £370 from the safe, and a car belonging to one of the guests.
The Bear & Ragged Staff Hotel in c1963 (Photo courtesy of Graham Gould, Kenilworth In Camera)
Mrs Harley told the police, that Painter was on his own while working in Kenilworth, but he made frequent phone calls to his wife in Conway, North Wales. She was apparently, pregnant. The next report of him was on Thursday 25th October, when he turned up in France.
Painter had contacted the British Embassy saying that while visiting the Eiffel Tower he had been robbed of his passport and wallet, which contained money and travellers cheques. He was issued with some money and emergency travel documents to get him back to England, and told them he would be travelling back on Friday – but he never did.
Body Found In Troyes
The next time anything was heard of him, was when his body was found in a remote forest near Troyes, eastern France, close to the Luxembourg border, which was about 100 miles from Paris. His body was reported to have been found slumped over the wheel of a stolen french car, which had Paris number-plates. Newspaper reports indicated that empty sachets of Aspirin were found next to his body. Police enquires led them to questioning a hostess at a Paris night club, but this didn’t lead to anything useful.
Body Taken To Paris – Conflicting Evidence
His body was taken to Paris for a post-mortem. The medical examiner indicated that in his opinion an overdose of Aspirin did not kill him. Internal organs were examined, which revealed that he had died from carbon monoxide poisioning. This led to the theory that his death was due to exposure from exhaust fumes, but this could not be confirmed.
The French police disclosed that his body and head were wrapped in a waterproof sheet, so concluded he could not have killed himself. On this evidence it looks like murder – what else? But nothing was ever reported in the UK press in the weeks and months following his death, and it quickly turned into a cold-case.
The Death Certificate
Strangley, on the British version of his death certificate, it does not list the cause of death, but it does say a ‘Local death certificate produced’, which presumably would confirm the possible/probable cause of death. The date of his death was recorded as ‘About the 28th October’.
So, in very mysterious circumstances the ‘Bear barman’, had come to a lonely end, in a french forest – but was it suicide or was it murder?
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”.
An urban district was a local government district that covered an urbanised area. They had an elected council (UDC) and shared the local government responsiblies along with county councils.
These urban districts (and rural districts) were first created in 1894 by the (Local Government Act 1894) as subdivisions of administrative districts. These reforms of local government started mainly in England and Wales. But within a few years Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland also adopted these reforms.
UDCs replaced the former system of urban sanitary districts or local boards (based on poor-law unions) the functions of which were taken over by the new UDCs. Their powers were extended and also had the responsibilities of parklands, cemeteries, water supplies and local planning.
The principal effects of the act were:
The urban district system (and RDCs) would have elected councils, as would parish councils. This would form a second tier of local government below the county councils.
The entitlement of women who owned property to vote in local elections, become poor-law guardians and sit on school boards.
All councillors would initially be elected for a three year term, but one third of the members would be required to stand for re-election each year (around April). However, UDCs had the power to retain the triennial election if a two-thirds majority of councillors were in favour ot it.
To be eligible for an election, a candidate was required to be on the electoral register and to have lived in the area for 12 months prior to the election.
All electors only had one vote, unlike in previous years where the ‘weighted’voting system was in place. This allowed some electors who owned more property than others to have multiple votes.
The elected chairman of the new Urban and Rural district councils automatically became a Justice of the Peace.
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.
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.
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.
Kenilworth Ford – early 1900’s
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.
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 elected, 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 had 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. He had been the clerk of KUDC since its inception.
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.
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 just 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 called 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.
A total of 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 (Parkinson, Hodges, Randall, Barwell, Gee, Jackson, Carter, Marriott, Grindrod)
2 Independents (Clarke, Hacking)
1 Labour (Dencer)
Chairman
1922-23 Edward Hodges
1923-24 Edward Hodges
1924-25 Edward Hodges
Council Clerk – Ernest Hadow
photo courtesy of Warwickshire County Records Office. (ref. PH (N) 600/147/3)
