1946 -1st April – Kenilworth Urban District Council – Elections

Abbey Ward (3 seats)

*William GriffithsIndependent404
Frederick WhitehouseIndependent385
Alexander JeacockProgressive-Liberal372
George TisdaleIndependent370
*Frederick FaxonIndependent322
Albert SullivanLabour Party226
Albert WhitehouseIndependent217
William RileyLabour Party199
Caroline AdkinsLabour Party167

Turnout 63.8%

Borrowell Ward (3 seats)

*William BostockIndependent880
Eric Bernard SmithIndependent832
Alan HuckvaleIndependent806
Ernest AltreeLabour Party184
Florence LangsdaleLabour Party127
Benjamin NichollsLabour Party122

Turnout 62.2%

Castle Ward (3 seats)

*Leonard SmalleyIndependent775
*Frank WeetmanIndependent667
*Henry WatlingIndependent625
John BeadleLabour Party244
Carl AshfordLabour Party213
Violet PoveyLabour Party175

Turnout 57.6%

Park Hill Ward (3 seats)

David LingEx-Service948
Miles SmallwoodIndependent858
Hubert HoweIndependent641
*Thomas JacksonLabour Party447
Bruce Tyson Independent292
Stephen EverallLabour Party278
Claude SimpsonLabour Party259

Turnout 62.7%

*denotes retiring councillor

CRUSHING DEFEAT FOR LABOUR – TISDALE GONE

A ‘minor sentation’ occured at this election when two former chairman, Tisdale and Jackson, lost their seats. Faxon, another former member, who had served throughout the war, also lost his seat.

Abbey Ward, in which Tisdale was defeated, had the heaviest poll and was the closest contested ward. Indeed, three re-counts were required between Tisdale and Jeacock. But after all the re-counts had tallied up, Tisdale finally conceded defeat and shook the hand of Jeacock. Only 34 votes seperated the first four candidates.

Overall polling was particularly strong and few people can remember such enthusiasm and interest in a Kenilworth election before. It seemed the war had changed peoples thinking. Polling was said to be brisk during the day and in the evening it was more reminiscent of a parliamentary election.

Polling took place at the Priory Road school and the declaration was made by the returning officer, Mr J. C. Whittaker at 12.45am. Many hundreds of people had gathering outside to hear the results.

Labour, who had won a landslide victory in the General Election last year were soundly beaten here in Kenilworth, not one of their 12 candidates were elected. The town had asserted that they wanted individuals to run the town and not parties.

Following this election the KUDC acquired larger premisies in Southbank Road. Wilton House was eventually converted from a private residence into a functional council house.

KUDC Councillors

10 Independents (M. Smallwood, H. Howe, L. Smalley, F. Weetman, H. Watling, W. Bostock, A. Huckvale, E. Smith, F. Whitehouse, W. Griffiths)

1 Progressive-Liberal (A. Jeacock)

1 Ex- Service (D. Ling)

Chairman 1946-49

1946-47 William Griffiths

1947-48 Alan Huckvale

1948-49 Alan Huckvale

Council Clerk – Mr J. C. Whittaker

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

1948 – 15th April – Kenilworth Urban District Council – By Election

Park Hill Ward

George JacksonIndependent545
Frederick DoddsIndependent511
Harry AndrewLabour Party314

Turnout 1370 (59.6%)

Electorate 2300

JACKSON RETURNS

After the resignation of Major Ling in December last year, a vacancy had arisen in the Park Hill Ward. Three candidates came forward, George Jackson, former councillor (and chairman) and now licensee of the Engine Public House. Second candidate was Frederick William Dodds, who is also a licensee, at the Albion Tavern and finally Harry Andrew who is an aircraft fitter and vice-chairman of the local Labour party.

Following Mr Ling’s resignation rumours were flying about that the council were going to ‘Co-opt’ a member onto the committee instead of holding a election to fill the post. This was categorically denied by Mr Whittaker, clerk of the KUDC, . He said that co-option was out of the question as this war-time expedient no longer applies.

Mr Jackson’s election comes after two years away from the council, having failed to be re-elected in the Park Hill Ward in 1946, when he stood as a Labour candidate. At that time he had been on the council for 15 straight years. At his first meeting back he did not mince his words, telling the members they had “Been asleep for a long time” and reforms were being held up because of it. He demanded action on a number of issues including the provision of a ‘halt’ at the railway at Mill End to serve the industrial population. He also added that a better bus service in Windy Arbour was needed.

KUDC Councillors

11 Independents (M. Smallwood, H. Howe, L. Smalley, F. Weetman, H. Watling, W. Bostock, A. Huckvale, E. Smith, F. Whitehouse, W. Griffiths, G. Jackson)

1 Progressive-Liberal (A. Jeacock)

1949 – 9th May – Kenilworth Urban District Council – Elections

Abbey Ward (3 seats)

*William GriffithsIndependent582
*Frederick WhitehouseIndependent475
*Alexander JeacockIndependent461
Harry AndrewLabour Party222
Leonard McDonaldLabour Party185

Borrowell Ward (3 seats)

*Wiliam BostockIndependent954
*Eric Bernard SmithIndependent857
*Alan HuckvaleIndependent810
Alice AndrewLabour Party242

Castle Ward (3 seats)

*Leonard SmalleyIndependent829
*Frank WeetmanIndependent779
*Henry WatlingIndependent690
Thomas IngramLabour Party236

Park Hill Ward (3 seats)

Thomas JacksonIndependent929
*Miles SmallwoodIndependent747
*Hubert HoweConservative Party702
Harold GlosterLabour Party394
Carl AshfordLabour Party263

*denotes retiring member

INDEPENDENTS RULE – LABOUR HAVE BAD DAY

It was an easy victory for the ‘Independents’ with all their eleven candidates being returned. But for the Labour party it was a bad day, all six of their candidates failed get anywhere near being elected.

Before the poll, Hubert Howe, who was elected as an Independent in 1946, said in his election address that he was going to stand as a Conservative this time around. He added that as he was the Chairman of the Kenilworth Conservative Men’s Association, and if I stood as anything but a Conservative I would be letting down not only my friends in the local association but the Conservative cause as a whole. The question of politics even at a local level, cannot be ruled out entirely. The present government are gradually removing many powers of local authorities. This can see seen in the nationalisation of electricity, gas, transport, hospitals and probably water as well. Mr Howe’s statement did not effect his re-election in any way, he was easily returned in the Park Hill Ward. But he was the only official tory on the KUDC.

KUDC Councillors

11 Independents (W. Griffiths, F. Whitehouse, A. Jeacock, W. Bostock, E. Smith, A. Huckvale, L. Smalley, F. Weetman, H. Watling, T. Jackson, M. Smallwood)

1 Conservative (H. Howe)

Chairman 1949-52

1949-50 Alan Huckvale

1950-51 Hubert Howe

1951-52 Hubert Howe

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

1952 – 5th May – Kenilworth Urban District Council – Elections

Abbey Ward (3 seats)

Sidney FlavelIndependent510
Mrs C. AlfordIndependent401
Mrs P. HuckvaleIndependent401
Howard HooperIndependent319
*Frederick WhitehouseIndependent303
Florence LangdaleLabour Party232
Cecil JohnsonLabour Party196
Thomas IngramLabour Party192

63% Turnout

Borrowell Ward (3 seats)

*Wiliiam BostockIndependent978
*Alan HuckvaleIndependent883
*Eric Bernard SmithIndependent873
Leonard McDonaldLabour Party429
W. P. BracewellLabour Party372
Norman AndersonLabour Party291

61% Turnout

Castle Ward (3 seats)

W. R. TaylorIndependent679
*Leonard SmalleyIndependent656
*Henry WatlingIndependent575
*Frank WeetmanIndependent551

62% Turnout

Park Hill Ward (3 seats)

*Thomas JacksonIndependent727
A. JamesIndependent629
Ernest GlennIndependent528
D. DeykinLabour Party357
Harold GlosterLabour Party459
Robert TuckIndependent235

53% Turnout

*denotes retiring members

INDEPENDENTS DAY – WOMEN MEMBERS ARRIVE

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 Pub in 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)

1955 – 7th May – Kenilworth Urban District Council – Elections

Abbey Ward (3 seats)

*Mrs K. AlfordIndependent486
*Sidney FlavelConservative Party441
*Mrs P. HuckvaleIndependent373
Alex JeacockConservative Party337

NO CHANGE

Borrowell Ward (3 seats)

*William BostockIndependent910
Jack CoxConservative Party873
*Eric Bernard SmithIndependent790
J. A. McDonaldLabour Party572

CONSERVATIVE GAIN FROM INDEPENDANT

Castle Ward (3 seats)

*Leonard SmalleyIndependent764
*W. TaylorIndependent723
*Henry WatlingIndependent717
Mrs J. WorrallIndependent398

NO CHANGE

Park Hill Ward (3 seats)

Joseph WattsConservative Party616
*A. JamesIndependent509
*Thomas JacksonIndependent388
*Ernest GlennIndependent356
Harold GlosterLabour Party343
Florence LangdaleIndependent269

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

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)

1958 – 8th May – Kenilworth Urban District Council – Elections

Abbey Ward (3 seats)

*Mrs K. AlfordIndependent684
Ronald StansfieldConservative Party637
*Mrs P. HuckvaleIndependent612
R. C. MitchellLabour Party374
T. A. IngramLabour Party368
G. R. DarkinLabour Party359

Borrowell Ward (3 seats)

*Jack CoxConservative Party938
*Eric Bernard SmithIndependent839
*William BostockIndependent837
Chris WebsterLabour Party724
Raymond TannerLabour Party570
Arthur O’ConnorLabour Party552

Park Hill Ward (3 seats)

*Joseph WattsIndependent660
T. J. PrenticeConservative Party621
Frederick DoddConservative Party516
F. W. MillerIndependent413
Mrs A. BirchIndependent393

Castle Ward (3 seats)

*Leonard SmalleyIndependentunopposed
*W. R. TaylorIndependentunopposed
*Henry WatlingIndependentunopposed

*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.

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)

1961 – 11th May – Kenilworth Urban District Council – Election

Borrowell Ward (3 seats)

*Jack CoxConservative Party979
*Eric Bernard SmithIndependent733
John RussellConservative Party716
Derek RivettConservative Party656
Chris WebsterLabour Party533
Harry PottsIndependent520
Mrs. F. AllenLabour Party341
Dorothy BonehamLabour Party330

CON GAIN FROM IND

Abbey Ward (3 seats)

John W. WilsonConservative Party722
Evan Thomas EvansConservative Party604
*Ronald StansfieldConservative Party570
*Mrs. K. AlfordIndependent513
K. EmersonLabour Party365
T. IngramLabour Party362
S. BarnettLabour Party352

CON GAIN FROM IND

Castle Ward (3 seats)

*Leonard SmalleyIndependent802
*Henry WatlingIndependent772
*William TaylorIndependent765
Percy BarnettLabour Party220

NO CHANGE

Park Hill Ward (3 seats)

*J. PrenticeConservative Party1002
*Frederick DoddConservative Party868
*Joseph WattsIndependent836
Mrs J. LangdaleLabour Party400

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

1961-62 Jack Cox

1962-63 Jack Cox

1963-64 Joesph Watts

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

1962 – 10th May – Kenilworth Urban District Council – By Election

Park Hill Ward

Florence AdcockCon951
Florence LangdaleLab419

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)

1964 – 7th May – Kenilworth Urban District Council – Election

Abbey Ward (3 seats)

*E. Thomas EvansConservative Party652
*Ronald StansfieldConservative Party554
Joan SalkeldConservative Party526
J. E. KnightLabour Party422
L. HaydonLabour Party397
E. EmersonLabour Party389
Enys ThomasLiberal Party315

Borrowell Ward (3 seats)

*Jack CoxConservative Party931
Chris WebsterLabour Party824
Alan BythewayLabour Party764
Anthony WhittakerConservative Party745
Albert BovingtonConservative Party703
A. DigginsLabour Party618
Helen DoreLiberal Party502
John PiggottLiberal Party384

Castle Ward (3 seats)

*Leonard SmalleyIndependent985
Bill WhitemanConservative Party796
*William TaylorIndependent790
P. SmithLabour Party425
Haydn ThomasLiberal Party319
R. WebberleyLabour Party260

Park Hill Ward (3 seats)

*Florence AdcockConservative Party1106
Bernard JuryConservative Party898
James WhitbyConservative Party889
Thomas CaswellLabour Party569
L. Scott-WalkerLiberal Party527
Robert ButlerLiberal Party496
Geoffrey MinionLabour Party440
Colin SweeneyLabour Party438

* 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

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)

1967 – 11th May – Kenilworth Urban District Council – Election

Abbey Ward (3 seats)

*E. Thomas EvansConservative Party632
*Ronald StansfieldConservative Party594
*Joan SalkeldConservative Party485
Edgar EmersonLabour Party231
Aubrey WaltersLabour Party212
Mrs M. McClellanLabour Party210
T. ThompsonLiberal Party179
Mrs R. HertzLiberal Party165
K. HatwoodLiberal Party139

Borrowell Ward (3 seats)

Kenneth RawnsleyConservative Party595
Victor ChanceConservative Party590
Edward PlayerConservative Party571
Helen DoreLiberal Party496
Dennis ArcherLiberal Party334
Peter ThompsonLiberal Party309
Derek SharrockLabour Party159

Park Hill Ward (3 seats)

Harry PottsConservative Party615
Bernice GardnerConservative Party584
Spencer HarrisonConservative Party543
L. NixonLiberal Party299
Jan MokrzyckiLiberal Party288
Mrs V. BilletLiberal Party267
Anthony DigginsLabour Party231
Mrs E. TidyLabour Party223
Mrs S. HarrisLabour Party222

Castle Ward (3 seats)

*Leonard SmalleyConservative Party810
Anthony WhittakerConservative Party770
*Bill WhitemanConservative Party747
Peter SmithLiberal Party329
Dora GreenwayLiberal Party319
Edward FlintLiberal Party209

Windy Arbour Ward (3 seats)

+new ward+

*Florence AdcockConservative Party926
Derek MooreConservative Party840
Richard WatsonConservative Party840
Robert ButlerLiberal Party529
Haydn ThomasLiberal Party510
Mrs N. TyrellLiberal Party486

St John’s Ward (3 seats)

+new ward+

*Jack CoxConservative Party597
Eric Bernard SmithConservative Party476
*Christopher WebsterLabour Party458
Michael CokerConservative Party420
Dennis JakemanLiberal Party364
Thomas CaswellLabour Party332
Bill WozencroftLabour Party307
Mrs H. EgginsLiberal Party205
James CookLiberal Party192

*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.

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 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

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)