For the first time in its history, the KUDC has two women councillors. Mrs Huckvale, wife of councillor Mr A. Huckvale and Mrs C. Alford. They polled the same number of votes in Abbey Ward.
Two members that stood for re-election, Frederick Whitehouse and Frank Weetman lost their seats. Mr. Weetman had served 17 years and Mr. Whitehouse had done six.
Four councillors did not seek re-election: Jeacock, Griffiths, Smallwood and former chairman, Howe. Hubert Howe had resigned as chairman just before the election due to health reasons bought on by a heavy work-load. He was an engineer at Armstrong Siddeley and the chairman of not only the council but the local Conservative Club as well. His wife said that it was all getting too much for him and needs a rest from these responsibilities.
There were 7,699 people on the register in Kenilworth and although the Labour party made a determined effort, getting 2,528 ‘crosses’ on their ballot papers, it was to no avail. The political compostion of the council is entirely Independent. Exactly half of the council are new members.
Two members of council run licensed premises, Ernest Glenn at the Abbey Hotel and Thomas Jackson at the Engine Pubin Mill End. Both were elected in the Park Hill Ward. Drinks all round!
Chairman 1952-55
1952-53 Alan Huckvale
1953-54 Alan Huckvale
1954-55 Alan Huckvale
Chairmans Chain of Office – Courtesy of Warwickshire County Records Office. (ref. PN (N) 600/147/3)
In the weeks leading up to the election there had been issues with the dustbin collections or rather the lack of them. Ratepayers were not happy people, and numerous complaints were received. The council responded by saying that the dustbin vehicle was constantly breaking down plus the shortage of ‘Dustbinmen’ was the cause of the problems. The Surveyor has suggested putting forward a possible incentive bonus to attract workmen into the job, and the purchase of a new lorry would stop the recurring repair costs to the present one, which is now, ten years old.
But whether the ‘rubbish’ problem contributed to the supposedly low turnout is disputable, the 52% could be said to be a ‘normal’ poll for Kenilworth elections. There were reasonably close polls for third seat in both Abbey and Park Hill, but in the other two wards, the candidates were easily returned. Labour only stood in two wards, Borrowell and Park Hill, both candidates failed to be elected. Mr Gloster being the closest, getting within 40 odd votes in Park Hill.
Two New Members
Jack Alwyn Cox, of Oaks Road, has lived in the town for most of his life and is employed at Humber Ltd in Coventry as a wages accountant. He is the vice-president of the Kenilworth Conservative Club and has served on its committee for sometime. Mr Cox is also the treasurer of the Coventry East Conservative Association. He is married with no children and in his spare-time he is a Special Constable. He was educated at Warwick School where he had gained a scholarship.
Joseph Watts, is a master Ironmonger by trade, which he started in 1948. This followed employment for many years as an engineer. He is married and has a 12 year-old son. Mr Watts is not a member of any club or organisation and spends his spare time gardening. He has lived in Kenilworth all his life, in the ward he will represent. He was educated at St Augustine’s School.
KUDC Councillors
9 Independents (A. James, T. Jackson, L. Smalley, W. Taylor, H. Watling, W. Bostock, E. Smith, Mrs Alford, Mrs Huckvale)
3 Conservatives (J. Watts, J. Cox, S. Flavel)
Chairman 1955-58
1955-56 Henry Watling
1956-57 Henry Watling
1957-58 Leonard Smalley
Chairmans Chain of Office – Courtesy of Warwickshire County Records Office. (ref. PN (N) 600/147/3)
PUBLIC MEETINGS JUST FOR ‘RUBBER STAMPING’ – SAY LABOUR
The Independent group hold a 8 to 4 majority over their rivals the Conservatives, one less than the election In 1955.
In their Election Address, the Kenilworth Labour Party, claimed that KUDC monthly public meetings were merely a procedure for ‘rubber stamping’ decisions made at committee. They stated that they deplored this attitude towards the ratepayers of the town. In their manifesto they said that the Square should be developed for the benefit of the people and not left until private enterprise decides to develop it for its own interest. Labour stood in only two wards with six candidates, all of which, failed to be elected.
There was no contest in the castle ward as Smalley, Taylor and Watling were elected unopposed. They have been ‘Kings of the Castle‘ since the 1952 election and any opposition would have been futile.
Former Councillor, Mr Flavel had resigned his seat two months before the election due to business commitments, which left him little time for council matters.
Only four Conservatives stood in the poll and all were elected. New to the council is Mr Prentice, who recently moved to Kenilworth and was a former conservative member for ten years on Coventry City Council. He is an accountant and company director.
New councillor, Frederick Dodd, is the licencee of the Albion Tavern pub. (Now lost)
KUDC Councillors
8 Independents (L. Smalley, W. Taylor, H. Watling, J. Watts, E. Smith, W.Bostock, Mrs Huckvale, Mrs Alford)
4 Conservatives (T. Prentice, F. Dodd, J. Cox, R. Stansfield)
Photo taken 1st June 1959 – Courtesy of the Warwickshire County Records Office Ref. PH (N) 600/2941 img 9384
Chairman 1958-61
1958-59 Leonard Smalley
1959-60 Eric Bernard Smith
1960-61 Eric Bernard Smith
Chairmans Chain of Office – Courtesy of Warwickshire County Records Office. (ref. PN (N) 600/147/3)
Although the election provided some records, especially for the amount of electors being able to vote, the turnout was only 56%, which is about average for council polls.
For the first time since 1952 the council will be all-male when they assemble on May 30th. Councillor Mrs. Huckvale did not seek re-election and councillor Mrs. Alford(Ind) lost her seat in Abbey ward. But there wasn’t enough women candidates to realistically have any chance of gaining representation on the council.
Labour put much effort into this election but all their eight candidates failed to to be elected.
There will be three new faces on the council. The youngest member being 25 year-old Mr. Wilson, whose father has just been elected onto the County Council.
The honour of being ‘father’ of the council will now be shared between Mr Smalley and Mr Watling, who were both elected in 1934. They succeed Mr. Bostock who did not seek re-election and had served continuously since 1928.
A vacancy had arisen due to resignation of councillor Prentice due to health reasons. He was returned at last year’s triennial election, polling 1002 votes, the most of all the candidates.
Last year’s election produced no women councillors, so it looks like good sense prevailed between the parties to only nominate female candidates, hence ensuring at least one lady would be on the council.
Mrs Adcock will attend her first public meeting next Tuesday (15th May), along with her fellow eleven male council members. (Good luck to her)
Mrs Langdale’s vote increased by 12% from last years election but it was still no where near enough to seriously challenge Mrs Adcock.
KUDC Councillors
7 Conservatives (J. Cox, J. Russell, J. Wilson, E. Evans, R. Stansfield, F. Adcock, F. Dodd)
5 Independents (J. Watts, L. Smalley, H. Watling, W. Taylor, E. Smith)
The Labour party will have two representatives on the council. They were both elected in the closely contested Borrowell ward where a re-count was required, which went on until 1am. One of them, Chris Webster is the secretary of the local party and the other being, Mr Bytheway who just got in by 19 votes.
Labour’s success comes after a long period of endeavour. As a party, they have contested every local election since the war. Before then, on several occasions, candidates who have adopted the Labour Party tag, fought only occasionally. (Dencer was the first ever Labour party candidate elected in 1922)
The Liberals, who as a local party have only been in existance a few months, failed to make any impression on the electorate. They fielded five candidates. A defiant official stated “This election is only the beginning and even if we are absolutely unsuccessful, we shall continue as a party, building up our strength and influence”.
The Conservative constituency party agent, John Devine, blamed the intervention of the Liberals for them losing two seats.
All councillors who seeked re-election held their seats.
Florence Adcock’s poll of 1106, is a new record for a KUDC election. In subsequent elections it was never beaten and so holds the largest ever poll in the 80-year history of the KUDC.
KUDC Councillors
8 Conservatives (E. Evans, R. Stansfield, Joan Salkeld, J. Cox, B. Whiteman, Florence Adcock, B. Jury, J. Whitby)
2 Labour (C. Webster, A. Bytheway)
2 Independents (L. Smalley, W. Taylor)
Chairman 1964-67
1964-65 Ronald Stansfield
1965-66 E. Thomas Evans
1966-67 Florence Adcock
Town Clerk – Cyril Riley
Chairmans Chain of Office – Courtesy of Warwickshire County Records Office. (ref. PH (N) 600/147/3)
EXTRA WARDS ADDED – BUT A ‘PARTY’ ROW BEFORE ELECTION
Just before the election there was a bit of a rumpus between the Liberals and Tories. Liberal agent, Peter Thompson, who was also standing in Borrowell ward, was threatening legal action against them over an ‘ale and cheese’ party that the Kenilworth Conservative Association were hosting. Mr Thompson claimed that the party, for which electors could attend and meet their candidates, is an offence under the Representation of the People Act. Apparently, penalties for contravening this act could be a £200 fine, six months imprisonment, a five year ban from voting or in the case of a candidate, disqualification from contesting an election for ten years. He added; “With this event the Conservatives are sailing very close to the wind”. But Mrs Dixon, treasurer of the Warwick, Leamington and Kenilworth Conservative Association, replied; “We are not contravening the act because people who are coming will be paying 5 shillings a ticket and they will have to buy their own drinks”.
Due to the increase in the town’s population this was the first KUDC election which would return 18 members instead of the long established number of 12. At the time of the election the council was down to only 10 members due to recent resignations.
To accommodate the six extra councillors, two new wards were introduced, Windy Arbour and St John’s. This meant the redrawing the boundaries of all the present wards. As in previous elections three members would be elected from each ward.
With these extra wards, 46 candidates contested the election, 19 Liberals, 18 Conservatives and 9 Labour.
THE ‘COUNT’ TOOK PLACE AT KENILWORTH GRAMMAR SCHOOL, LEYES LANE (The aluminium ‘Growth’ sculpture on the entrance to the school was designed by Kenilworth artist Walter Ritchie in 1965)
Labour’s Chris Websterwho switched from Borrowell to the new St John’s ward, prevented the Conservatives from ‘sweeping the board’.
Now with 18 seats and based on the the old wards the Conservatives gained two seats in Borrowell and two from the Indepenents in Castle.
Conservative candidate, Dr. Leonard Smalley, topped the poll in Castle Ward. He had previously sat as an Independent (or unattached) for more than 30 years. But possibly fearing that the ‘Independent movement’ had now run its course, decided to stand on a tory ticket.
Florence Adcock headed the poll in Windy Arbour with 926 votes, the most by any candidate in the election.
Space at the council house in Southbank road was now considered too small to accomodate the extra councillors, officials and members of the public at monthly meetings. So it was decided to hold ‘summer’ meetings in the guardroom at the castle gatehouse but it was too cold to use in wintertime! This arrangement continued until 2005 when English Heritage decided to convert the room into a museum, so the council had to re-locate.
KUDC Councillors
17 Conservatives (E. Evans, R. Stansfield, Joan Salkeld, Florence Adcock, Bernice Gardener,K. Rawnsley, V. Chance, E. Player, H. Potts, S. Harrison, L. Smalley, A. Whittaker, B. Whiteman, D. Moore, R. Watson, J. Cox, E. Smith)
1 Labour (C. Webster)
Chairman 1967-70
1967-68 Bill Whiteman
1968-69 Kenneth Rawnsley
1969-70 Chris Webster
Chairmans Chain of Office – Courtesy of Warwickshire County Records Office. (ref. PH (N) 600/147/3)
Although their majority dropped from 16 to 13, Kenilworth still holds a strong Tory electorate.
Labour only stood in three wards but managed to get two candidates elected, both in St. John’s. Chris Webster, who had been on the council since 1964, was the only non-Tory and chairman for the previous 12 months. A bench close to the ford was later dedicated in his memory, along with his wife Irene.
Thomas Litterick of Quarry Road, was the other labour candidate elected. He was just beginning his political career, which would eventually take him as far as the House of Commons. He became MP for Selly Oak in Birmingham at the October 1974 general election. This made him the only Kenilworth resident to ever become an MP.
With restructuring of local government looming, this turned out to be the last ever KUDC election.
KUDC Councillors
15 Conservative Party (H Potts, S. Harrison, J. Cox, L. Smalley, B. Whiteman, D. Charlton, J. Wiles, K. Rawnsley, E. Evans, R. Stansfield, Bernice Gardner, Joan Salkeld, Florence Adcock, D. Moore, T. Robinson)
2 Labour Party (T. Litterick, C. Webster)
1 Liberal Party (Helen Dore)
Chairman 1970-74
1970-71 Joan Salkeld
1971-72 Ronald Stansfield
1972-73 Derek Moore
1973-74 Kenneth Hogarth
Chairmans Chain of Office – Courtesy of Warwickshire County Records Office. (ref. PH (N) 600/147/3)
A vacancy became available following the resignation of conservative, Bernice Gardner who had been on the council since 1967. Three candidates put themselves forward.
The Tories chose Kenneth Hogarth of 12a Brookside Ave. He is the Chief Sales Executive of the Post Office Telephones, for the Coventry area.
William John Clarke of Crackley Hill stood for the Labour party. His occupation is an Instructional Officier for the Department of Employment at a training centre in Coventry.
Mr. Jan Mokrzycki of Windy Arbour came forward for the Liberals. he runs his own dental practice in Coventry.
All three candidates have contested KUDC elections before without success. Kenneth Hogarth would go on to become the chairman of the the KUDC and later the Mayor of Kenilworth Town Council.
A directive by the Local Government (Successor Parishes) Order 1973, which had been laid before parliament, came into effect on 6th July 1973. This had been followedby theLocal Government Boundary Commission for England, the body established under the Local Government Act 1972 to agree boundaries, names and electoral arrangements of the non-metropolitan districts, which officially came into existence on 1st April 1974.
The final meeting of the (temporary) Kenilworth Parish Council, took place on the 26th March 1974 at the castle gatehouse.
The final meeting took place at the castle gatehouse
Members Present
Chairman – Kenneth Hogarth
Florence Adcock, D. Charlton, J. Cox, Helen Dore, E. Evans, S. Harrison, T. Litterick, D. Moore, H. Potts, K. Rawnsley, T. Robinson, Joan Salkeld, C. Webster, L. Wiles.
Absent: R. Stansfield, H, Whiteman
Dr. Leonard Smalley (1898-1974)
The chairman referred to the recent death of Mr. Smalley, M.B.E. who had given tremendous service to the council over 40 years, having been first elected in 1934. The members stood in silence as a mark of respect.
The short stretch of road between the town clock and Barrowfield Lane, along which, Jubilee House stands (the home of the present Town Council), was named in his memory.
The minutes of the final meeting were signed-off by the chairman, Kenneth Hogarth on 3rd April 1974.
So, the Kenilworth Urban District Council was no more, and the new era of the Kenilworth Town Council (and WDC) was just beginning……..
