Author: Nick

Abbey Ward (3 seats)

*Mrs K. Alford	Independent	486
*Sidney Flavel	Conservative Party	441
*Mrs P. Huckvale	Independent	373
Alex Jeacock	Conservative Party	337

NO CHANGE

Borrowell Ward (3 seats)

*William Bostock	Independent	910
Jack Cox	Conservative Party	873
*Eric Bernard Smith	Independent	790
J. A. McDonald	Labour Party	572

CONSERVATIVE GAIN FROM INDEPENDANT

Castle Ward (3 seats)

*Leonard Smalley	Independent	764
*W. Taylor	Independent	723
*Henry Watling	Independent	717
Mrs J. Worrall	Independent	398

NO CHANGE

Park Hill Ward (3 seats)

Joseph Watts	Conservative Party	616
*A. James	Independent	509
*Thomas Jackson	Independent	388
*Ernest Glenn	Independent	356
Harold Gloster	Labour Party	343
Florence Langdale	Independent	269

CONSERVATIVE GAIN FROM INDEPENDENT

*denotes retiring member

Overall Turnout 52%

THE DUSTBIN ELECTION

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

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

Abbey Ward (3 seats)

*Mrs K. Alford	Independent	684
Ronald Stansfield	Conservative Party	637
*Mrs P. Huckvale	Independent	612
R. C. Mitchell	Labour Party	374
T. A. Ingram	Labour Party	368
G. R. Darkin	Labour Party	359

Borrowell Ward (3 seats)

*Jack Cox	Conservative Party	938
*Eric Bernard Smith	Independent	839
*William Bostock	Independent	837
Chris Webster	Labour Party	724
Raymond Tanner	Labour Party	570
Arthur O’Connor	Labour Party	552

Park Hill Ward (3 seats)

*Joseph Watts	Independent	660
T. J. Prentice	Conservative Party	621
Frederick Dodd	Conservative Party	516
F. W. Miller	Independent	413
Mrs A. Birch	Independent	393

Castle Ward (3 seats)

*Leonard Smalley	Independent	unopposed
*W. R. Taylor	Independent	unopposed
*Henry Watling	Independent	unopposed

*denotes retiring member

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.

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)

Chairman 1958-61

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

Borrowell Ward (3 seats)

*Jack Cox	Conservative Party	979
*Eric Bernard Smith	Independent	733
John Russell	Conservative Party	716
Derek Rivett	Conservative Party	656
Chris Webster	Labour Party	533
Harry Potts	Independent	520
Mrs. F. Allen	Labour Party	341
Dorothy Boneham	Labour Party	330

CON GAIN FROM IND

Abbey Ward (3 seats)

John W. Wilson	Conservative Party	722
Evan Thomas Evans	Conservative Party	604
*Ronald Stansfield	Conservative Party	570
*Mrs. K. Alford	Independent	513
K. Emerson	Labour Party	365
T. Ingram	Labour Party	362
S. Barnett	Labour Party	352

CON GAIN FROM IND

Castle Ward (3 seats)

*Leonard Smalley	Independent	802
*Henry Watling	Independent	772
*William Taylor	Independent	765
Percy Barnett	Labour Party	220

NO CHANGE

Park Hill Ward (3 seats)

*J. Prentice	Conservative Party	1002
*Frederick Dodd	Conservative Party	868
*Joseph Watts	Independent	836
Mrs J. Langdale	Labour Party	400

NO CHANGE

* denotes retiring councillor

WOMEN GONE FROM COUNCIL

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.

KUDC Councillors

7 Conservatives (Mr Cox, Mr Russell, Mr Wilson, Mr Evans, Mr Stansfield, Mr Prentice, Mr Dodd)

5 Independents (Mr Watts, Mr Smalley Mr Watling, Mr Taylor, Mr Smith)

Chairman 1961-64

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

Park Hill Ward

Florence Adcock	Con	951
Florence Langdale	Lab	419

Majority 532 (44.1%)

Electorate 2,954

Turnout 1,370 (46.4%)

THE LADIES ONLY ELECTION

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)

Abbey Ward (3 seats)

*E. Thomas Evans	Conservative Party	652
*Ronald Stansfield	Conservative Party	554
Joan Salkeld	Conservative Party	526
J. E. Knight	Labour Party	422
L. Haydon	Labour Party	397
E. Emerson	Labour Party	389
Enys Thomas	Liberal Party	315

Borrowell Ward (3 seats)

*Jack Cox	Conservative Party	931
Chris Webster	Labour Party	824
Alan Bytheway	Labour Party	764
Anthony Whittaker	Conservative Party	745
Albert Bovington	Conservative Party	703
A. Diggins	Labour Party	618
Helen Dore	Liberal Party	502
John Piggott	Liberal Party	384

Castle Ward (3 seats)

*Leonard Smalley	Independent	985
Bill Whiteman	Conservative Party	796
*William Taylor	Independent	790
P. Smith	Labour Party	425
Haydn Thomas	Liberal Party	319
R. Webberley	Labour Party	260

Park Hill Ward (3 seats)

*Florence Adcock	Conservative Party	1106
Bernard Jury	Conservative Party	898
James Whitby	Conservative Party	889
Thomas Caswell	Labour Party	569
L. Scott-Walker	Liberal Party	527
Robert Butler	Liberal Party	496
Geoffrey Minion	Labour Party	440
Colin Sweeney	Labour Party	438

* denotes retiring councillors

Electorate 3,398 (Turnout 58%)

TWO SOCIALISTS ELECTED IN KENILWORTH

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

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

Abbey Ward (3 seats)

*E. Thomas Evans	Conservative Party	632
*Ronald Stansfield	Conservative Party	594
*Joan Salkeld	Conservative Party	485
Edgar Emerson	Labour Party	231
Aubrey Walters	Labour Party	212
Mrs M. McClellan	Labour Party	210
T. Thompson	Liberal Party	179
Mrs R. Hertz	Liberal Party	165
K. Hatwood	Liberal Party	139

Borrowell Ward (3 seats)

Kenneth Rawnsley	Conservative Party	595
Victor Chance	Conservative Party	590
Edward Player	Conservative Party	571
Helen Dore	Liberal Party	496
Dennis Archer	Liberal Party	334
Peter Thompson	Liberal Party	309
Derek Sharrock	Labour Party	159

Park Hill Ward (3 seats)

Harry Potts	Conservative Party	615
Bernice Gardner	Conservative Party	584
Spencer Harrison	Conservative Party	543
L. Nixon	Liberal Party	299
Jan Mokrzycki	Liberal Party	288
Mrs V. Billet	Liberal Party	267
Anthony Diggins	Labour Party	231
Mrs E. Tidy	Labour Party	223
Mrs S. Harris	Labour Party	222

Castle Ward (3 seats)

*Leonard Smalley	Conservative Party	810
Anthony Whittaker	Conservative Party	770
*Bill Whiteman	Conservative Party	747
Peter Smith	Liberal Party	329
Dora Greenway	Liberal Party	319
Edward Flint	Liberal Party	209

Windy Arbour Ward (3 seats)

+new ward+

*Florence Adcock	Conservative Party	926
Derek Moore	Conservative Party	840
Richard Watson	Conservative Party	840
Robert Butler	Liberal Party	529
Haydn Thomas	Liberal Party	510
Mrs N. Tyrell	Liberal Party	486

St John’s Ward (3 seats)

+new ward+

*Jack Cox	Conservative Party	597
Eric Bernard Smith	Conservative Party	476
*Christopher Webster	Labour Party	458
Michael Coker	Conservative Party	420
Dennis Jakeman	Liberal Party	364
Thomas Caswell	Labour Party	332
Bill Wozencroft	Labour Party	307
Mrs H. Eggins	Liberal Party	205
James Cook	Liberal Party	192

*denotes retiring member

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”. Well, that clears the matter up, Mr Thompson!

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.

Labour’s Chris Webster who 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 were kicked out.

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

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

Abbey Ward (3 seats)

*E. Thomas Evans	Conservative Party	657
*Ronald Stansfield	Conservative Party	609
*Joan Salkeld	Conservative Party	570
David Walters	Labour Party	299
Mrs D. Davies	Labour Party	292
Reginald Smith	Labour Party	283

43.5% Turnout

Windy Arbour Ward (3 seats)

*Florence Adcock	Conservative Party	1020
*Derek Moore	Conservative Party	949
Thomas Robinson	Conservative Party	923
Haydn Thomas	Liberal Party	461

48% Turnout

Borrowell Ward (3 seats)

*Kenneth Rawnsley	Conservative Party	823
Helen Dore	Liberal Party	530
J. Wiles	Conservative Party	504
Kenneth Hogarth	Conservative Party	496
Peter Thompson	Liberal Party	434
Mrs E. Twyman	Liberal Party	380

50% Turnout

Castle Ward (3 seats)

*Leonard Smalley	Conservative Party	740
*Bill Whiteman	Conservative Party	657
D. Charlton	Conservative Party	644
Dora Greenway	Liberal Party	392
Ronald Scott	Liberal Party	369
Mrs P. Smith	Liberal Party	368

41.5% Turnout

St John’s Ward (3 seats)

*Chris Webster	Labour Party	596
*Jack Cox	Conservative Party	552
Thomas Litterick	Labour Party	521
William Wozencroft	Labour Party	491
Eric Bernard Smith	Conservative Party	453
Robert Butler	Liberal Party	438
S. Perry	Conservative Party	415

56% Turnout

Park Hill Ward (3 seats)

*Harry Potts	Conservative Party	771
*Bernice Gardner	Conservative Party	754
*Spencer Harrison	Conservative Party	716
William Clarke	Labour Party	317
Kenneth Beard	Labour Party	307

43% Turnout

*denotes retiring member

STILL A TORY STRONGHOLD

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 is 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

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

Park Hill Ward

Kenneth Hogarth	Conservative Party	533
Jan Mokrzycki	Liberal Party	337
William Clarke	Labour Party	322

46% Turnout

HOGARTH RETAINS SEAT FOR TORIES

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.

The Liberals put forward Mr. Jan Mokrzycki of Windy Arbour. 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.