I wish to reveal that I have a personal Time Machine. With it, I can close my eyes and be transported back in just a few minutes, to the early to mid 1950s.
Right at the very start of the Rock ‘n’ Roll era, which I guess, hit Kenilworth circa 1954, when the Alexandra Cinema in Station Road used its incredible sound system, to blast out, Bill Haley’s iconic, Rock Around the Clock. Then later the incredible lyrics and sounds of the late-great Buddy Holly, a singer way ahead of his time… There followed CE SERA SERA…. plus lots more.
May 1956 saw me called up to do my National Service. My horrendous basic training was done at the huge Hadrian’s Camp near Carlisle. We raw recruits were treated very badly by our horrid Drill Sergeant, who was eventually charged and found guilty of physical and mental bullying. But we all survived, mainly because of all the new music, blaring from every barrack room, NAAFI and Guard House. Likewise during my quieter six weeks of wireless training, in three-ton trucks – pretending to be tanks.
Radio procedures and protocol was very strict, occasionally we did tune our military WS19 Sets, to Radio Luxemburg (208) or the BBC Forces programs, by that time, 1950s Rock ‘n’ Roll had taken over. Elvis was prominent, as was Tommy Steele, the Skiffle Groups were right on the edge of things. Halfway through 1956 saw me in North Germany at Lumsden Barracks, Bad Fallingbostel BAOR 30, close to Hannover, Celle. Nearby was the notorious Bergen Belsen concentration camp – a real eye opener.
WS19 Wireless Set
Every trooper, NCO and young officers had portable radios, all blaring out the latest, from Pat Boone, Elvis and a host of other new discoveries, who became legends. If we could get to a dance, the sax and drums were prominent, the lyrics shouted, short and to the point. The NAAFI and German pubs had huge Wurlitzer Juke Boxes, for sixpence you could listen or bop around to the latest tune. Strange records like ‘Hernando’s Hideaway’ or ‘She Was Only sixteen’ – could be heard everywhere.
Back to my personal Time Machine. It’s an incredible collection of original artists presenting their best tunes. The Album called 100 Number One’s of the Fifties – a none stop collection of the very best (plus a few of the worst), with only a very short gap between each track.
No Wurlitzer needed these days – just a Apple ipad pro on my lap, record chosen on shuffle, raise my footrest, close my eyes and within minutes this old body of mine is whizzed backwards to noisy barrack rooms, crowded smoke filled naffis, incredible German beer kellers, with oompah music and serving girls…… plus long hours of freezing 24-hour guard duties on the Tank Park or the Fuel Dump, walking around in the pitch black, with near frost-bitten ears or getting soaked or baked by a heatwave during the summer. But from the barrack rooms, half-a-mile or so away, tunes and songs from this album became ingrained. Should you have been a 1950s teenager, you know exactly what I mean.
My now ancient body and mind can still ROCK within this sound bubble. The album is a non-stop, incredible selection of tunes, guaranteed to transform you back in time – in just minutes.
In 1999, a Coventry man revealed that one day during WW2, he had a long chat, and a drink or two, with an American at the Abbey Hotel – That American was none other than Clark Gable. 1
He is best known for his role in the 1939 Acadamy Award-winning film: ‘Gone With The Wind’. He eventually starred in more than 60 films in his 37-year career.2
Courtesy of Graham Gould (Kenilworth in Camera)
Although earning a fortune at Hollywood, Gable was determined to ‘do his bit’ for the war effort, joining the Army Air which at the time were controlled by the United States Army. He qualified as an aerial gunner and was assigned to the 351st Bomb Group. He eventually became a second lieutenant, and later a major.3
Unsurprisingly, his employers at MGM were not happy that he was off to war. Studio executives persuaded the Army Air Forces to reassign their most valuable asset to non-combat duty. Gable, however, did not completely step away from films; he became part of a motion picture unit that produced recruiting films for aerial gunners.
In 1943, he was stationed at RAF Polebrook at Oundle, near Peterborough. During his time in England, he flew five official combat missions in B-17s (before the intervention of MGM), but his colleagues later revealed that he unofficially went on many more. He was awarded several medals, including the Air Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross.
We will never know why he was in Kenilworth that day in 1943, probably just passing through. But upon his departure, he told the man from Coventry, “Thank you for not talking about the films.” 4
Stuck inside on this miserably wet November day has me thinking as I wait for a doctor to phone.
Most children of almost any age, love wheeled toys, from their very first buggy, to go-carts or ride on plastics. They never forget their very first bike, or as mid-teenagers, their first car or motorbike.
For my generation things were very different, because we wartime kids never saw or owned new toys, there just weren’t any to be found, unless battered pre-war junk. So, as resourceful little groups of both sexes we would scour our neighbourhood, for the wherewithal to construct our own, perhaps under the guidance of a grandad or uncle.
Short planks of wood, shallow vegetable or orange boxes, other odd bits of timber from the firewood pile. We sourced and straightened dozens of bent nails, unscrewed old screws from discarded furniture. The most difficult items were nuts and bolts, plus the biggest target of all, four old pram wheels with axles, it might have taken us a week or more of the summer holiday to get the whole kit together. Our aim, was then to produce, the best steerable go-cart in the neighbourhood, they were all very similar in design.
A strong plank about three or four feet long, with a box-seat fixed to one end, at the other a strong cross piece formed a footrest, always pivoting on a nut and bolt. From each end of this a loop of strong cord or rope co-ordinated hand and feet steering. Braking was a simple dragging of a shoe or boot on the ground.
We all discovered that large pram wheels at the back and smaller ones at the front gave better speed and control. The sheer noise of a group as their creation took shape increased to a crescendo as the final touches were applied, a flag, a sail, or a roughly painted name. The natural leader of the group, girl, or boy always had first go, others took turns to push or to pull the lucky driver, until the favourite slopes were reached, then turns were taken.
It was then that the real fun started, depending upon build-quality. All go-carts would increase in speed down the slope, poorly built ones would disintegrate. Others attempting to turn would roll-over, spilling driver and passenger into the path of the others. One of the most common failures was the disconnection of axles from plank chassis, the poorer of the groups could only use bent nails as fixings. The best built ones used strong screws or even nuts and bolts, with the help of an adult.
So, small noisy groups, would gather at street corners, on waste land, bomb sites, or at a favourite hill. Bruises, scabby knees and elbows were the norm as were splinters and hammered thumbs. There was often rivalry as to who had the biggest scabs…. They were so very common. Back at home, Vaseline, Germaline or even mum’s saliva would be the cure.
During the record cold winter of 1947, many of these homemade go-carts were pushed or pulled through the deep snow or on icy roads to the Gas Works in Dalehouse Lane. From there shivering children would pull and push home a hundredweight sack of coke, to help hard pressed mum’s to keep the house warm……. painful chilblains and the hot-aches made us cry real tears. It was a long walk from Roseland Road.
All the above stories came about because I have just taken delivery of my first set of wheels since I stopped driving over fifteen years ago. My advanced age and medical condition have forced me to acquire a new mobility scooter, a good deal smarter than the go-carts of the past, but have I retained the thrill of trundling along close to the ground again? Or will I have to scare myself, a few times first. I really don’t want scabby knees or roll-over accidents do I?
A new learning curve awaits me, frustratingly todays rain is preventing my first solo trip, but that is life….. I just need to wait, as we did a long ago – to find my wheels.
Horace Minden Burrows was born in Haslemere, Surrey, on 26th May 1917, to parents Albert and Olive. But when he was only 15-years-old, he decided to move to Kenilworth (all on his own), to find work in the engineering industry in Coventry. He lodged with family friends, Tom and Ella Taylor in Priory Road.
Horace’s birthplace, Shepards Hill, Haslemere.
Arrival in Kenilworth
After coming to Kenilworth, he indeed found work in Coventry. On the 1939 register, he was recorded as being employed as a Motor Car Bodymaker. But WW2 was looming, and in February 1940, then aged 22, he was summoned to Coventry for a medical and was passed ‘Grade 1’. Because of his reserved occupation, he was not immediatly called-up, and was put into the reserve. Three months later, following the Dunkirk evacuation, the UK braced itself for a possible invasion, and most of the armed forces were in southern England awaiting the enemy – but luckily it never happened. In early 1942, Horace married Daisy Gould, and their first home together was in High Street. But within a year, in January 1943, Horace was finally called-up into the Royal Marines. Something big was about to happen……..
D-Day – Normandy Invasion
The planning of the invasion, Operation Neptune – part of Operation Overlord, had began back in 1943, which gave the combined allied forces plenty of time to prepare. It was to become the biggest seabourne invasion in history, and Horace was right in the thick-of-it.
Horace was a member of the newly formed 904 Flotilla, who trained on Landing Craft Support (medium) – or, in short, the L.C.S. (M)s. These crafts had twin 0.5″ calibre machine guns and a 4″ smoke mortar (later firing high explosive bombs) plus a smoke generator. Horace became the driver of boat No. 74, and was part of the invasion of Gold Beach during D-Day, 6th June.
In 2005, he remarked; “We were giving covering fire to the amphibious ‘DD’ tanks as they approached the beaches, but it was like using a pea-shooter against those concrete gun emplacements. Our bullets just bounced off. We were shelled a bit, bombed a bit and blown about a bit, but somehow, I survived”.
One of his eardrums was burst with all the noise, so he was deaf in one ear for the rest of his life.
Duplex Drive Tank (nicknamed ‘Donald Duck tanks’)
The Royal Marines 904 Flotilla – November 1944
By the end of D-Day, around 25,000 troops had been landed at Gold Beach, in which over 15,000 Marines took part. Following the success of Operation Neptune, the 904th Flotilla were sent back to England and re-deployed. They headed north, and by November had arrived at H.M.S. Monck, Port Glasgow. From here, the Marines sailed to India, and then onto Burma to fight the Japanese. Horace was always forthcoming about his D-Day experiences, but the time he spent in the Burmese jungle, he would never ever talk about it, not one word…………
Gold Beach
The beach at Arromanches-les-Bains – part of Gold Beach
Pictures From India
Back Home to Kenilworth
Horace was finally de-mobbed in the spring of 1946 at Plymouth. On his return home, he went back into the thriving engineering industry in Coventry. Over the years, he worked for various companies including; Rover, Carbodies and Standard Triumph. He and Daisy continued to live in High Street for a number of years, then during the 1960s they moved to Avenue Road, off Clinton Lane.
For the rest of his life he became an active member of the Kenilworth Branch of the Royal British Legion and eventually became chairman. Like all Legion members, he was dedicated to Poppy Appeal each year, which raised funds for former military personnel who were in need of help. The Kenilworth Branch would also arranged numerous events throughout the year to raise money including: dinner parties, flower shows, coffee mornings, sponsored walks, even pumpkin evenings!
CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE
c1950s Poppy Appeal1982 Rememberance CeremonyPumpkin Evening 1985De Montfort Hotel 1981One big CabbageBadge of Flowers, St Nicholas ParkFormer British Legion Clubin KenilworthHorace with Marguerite Soden (his second wife)War Memorial – Present DayPoppies in Purlieu Lane – 2011Horace’s Medals
Off To Buck House For Lunch
In 2005, in recognistion of his miltary service (and no doubt his British Legion work also), he was invited to lunch with Queen Elizabeth and The Duke of Edinburgh, in the back garden of Buckingham Palace. It was to commemorate the 60th year of the ending of the war, 200 people attended occasion. Numerous dignitaries were there, including members of the Royal Family and Prime Minister, Tony Blair and his wife, Cherry. There was a fly-over of various WW2 aircraft and the music was provided by The Band of the Queen’s Division, and rather fittingly for Horace, The Band of the Royal Marines. For the record, all guests had Ballotine of Salmon with herb mayonnaise salad with peas, tomatoes and asparagus, plus new potatoes. Dessert was gooseberry shortbread.
Horace Minden Burrows
26th May 1917 – 13th February 2016
A big thank you to his son John Burrows for suppling many of the above photos.
Kenilworth MP, Gilbert Henry Chandos Leigh was the eldest son of Lord William Leigh, 2nd Baron Leigh, and Lady Caroline Amella Grosvener, daughter of Richard Grosvenor, 2nd Marquess of Westminster.
Born in 1851, at Marylebone, London,1 he was educated at Harrow, and Magdalene College, Cambridge. He had six surviving siblings: Margaret, Francis, Rupert, Agnes and Rowland and Mary.
Leigh had been elected to Westminster as a Liberal in the South Warwickshire Division at the 1880 General Election, a contest he was not expected to be elected. Indeed, he was the first Liberal to be elected to the seat in 45 years. He came second to conservative John Eardley-Wilmot by 94 votes, this was at the time when the constituency had two MP’s.
He died age 33, in September 1884, whilst on an expedition in Wyoming, USA, he fell to his death while hunting. He was un-married and childless.
Prior to his death, he had intermated that he would not be standing for re-election in the 1885 General Election. This was apparently due to his views not being in-line with the local Liberals, the issues regarding the annexation of Egypt may also have been one of the reasons.
The Leigh Estate, Stoneleigh Abbey, Warwickshire, England. (Warwickshire County Records Office. Image 129/15 image 10026)
Travelling Man
During the parliamentary recess of 1884, ‘Gilly’ as he was known to his family and friends, travelled to America on a sight-seeing and hunting expedition with a small party of friends. This included William Grenfell, former MP of Salisbury, who was on his first ever visit to the country. Leigh, however, had been there several times, and knew the place well. Indeed, he had travelled extensively, and been to such places as Scandinavia, China, India and Japan.
They departed England from Albert Dock, Liverpool, on the White Star Line SS Germanic on 7th August,2 and docked at New York on the 16th. It appears the party went their separate ways early in the trip, Grenwell recounted that he travelled to Niagara and “swam across the pool”. He said they eventually met-up at Chicago, and then travelled to St Paul in Minneapolis. From there they headed west on the Northern Pacific Railroad, and then onto Custer in Montana.3 They then travelled south into Wyoming, and about 25th August, they arrived at Sheridan City, where they met up with area-guide, Bob Stewart. They continued south into Johnson County to the ranch of Moreton Frewen, near Kaycee.4
Frewen (pictured) 5 was a long-term friend of Leigh, and was well connected, his uncle being Winston Churchill, no less. During the cattle boom of the 1870s and 1880s, (together with his brother Richard) he had first established the Big Horn Ranche Company, and later, Moreton, having bought out his brother, formed the Powder River Cattle Co.6
Their two-storey ranch was oddly named ’76’, but it was also known as ‘Castle Frewen’ by the locals. It was here the Frewens entertained the rich and famous of the ‘Empire’ with lavish hunting parties.
For the final part of their expedition the party made camp at the bottom of Ten Sleep canyon, in Washakie County. Here, the hunters in the party would seek out some ‘Big Game’, notably, Bighorn Sheep. The settlement of Ten Sleep, sits on the base of the Big Horn Mountains, which was an ideal hunting location. Ten Sleep got the name from its location, “ten sleeps” (or nights) midway between the Sioux Camps on the Platte River from the south to an historical Sioux campsite to the north, near Bridger, Montana.7 Although the area was of outstanding natural beauty, it had many dangers, with ravines, caverns, and back then, was also the home of grizzly bears. There was also continuing tensions with the Indians. By the time the party arrived at Ten Sleep, they would have travelled nearly 2000 miles to get there from New York, using the available transport of the time, trains, wagons and horses.
Death in the Canyon
Gilbert left the camp alone on his horse in the early afternoon on Sunday 14th September, hoping to ‘bag’ a prized Big Horn Sheep (pictured). Due to his late start they didn’t expect him back until nightfall, but when he was still absent the next morning, they were obviously concerned.
The party, along with many local ranchers, started to search for Leigh. Shots were fired into the air, hoping that if Leigh was injured, he might return fire, but there was no response. Two miles from camp they came across his horse with his coat on the saddle but found nothing else. They continued searching on a daily basis without success. So Bob Stewart was sent with a letter to Frewen at his ranch, some 40-miles-away, informing him of the grave situation. On the seventh day of the search on Sunday 21st, on their third sweep of the area, three miles from camp, they came across Leigh’s hat. Soon afterwards, his body was found on a ledge in a hidden hollow. He had fallen approximately 80 to 100 feet to his death. His clothes were not torn, and it looked like he had died instantly. The skull was fractured and one of his legs was broken. He was lying on his back, and considering his body had been there for seven days, it was in good condition and was untouched by animals. His rifle had caught amongst the branches of a tree about 10 yards down from the precipice. It appears he was trying to retrieve a sheep that he had shot but lost his footing.8 The area was slippery and was covered with loose stones.9 A doctor was sent for, in the hope the body could get embalmed.
Grenfell said there was only one place to ascend the presipice, which was about a mile-and-half up the canyon from their campsite. Leigh was leaving for home the next day, and went out for a final look round, a decision that cost him his life.
This was not the first time Leigh had put himself in danger out in the wilds. Some years earlier, in Colorado, he had gone missing for three days. He had survived on just a tin of sardines to sustain himself. Luckily, he came across some travellers, and was saved.10
On the 23rd September, a special despatch was sent from the US Military outpost of Fort McKinney, near Buffalo, to the newspaper, The Cheyenne Daily Leader. It gave an account of the party’s movements and the death of Leigh.11
The Long Journey Home
The SS Britannic (photo credit – Wikipedia creative commons)
On hearing of the tragedy, Lord Leigh, who at the time was visiting Titsey Place in Surrey,12 decided that his son must be brought home. To make this happen, he asked family members, Canon James Wentworth Leigh, uncle of the deceased, and Gilbert’s younger brother, Rupert, to travel to America and bring his body home. They embarked on the 6,500 plus mile round-trip from Liverpool to New York, on the SSBritannic, on 25th September, arriving on 5th October.13
From Ten Sleep, the biggest challenge the party faced, was the shear logistics of transporting the body back from the ‘wild west’ of Wyoming to New York. This would eventually take them just over two weeks, not bad going under the circumstances. A make-shift stretcher/conveyance was made from tree trunks, tied together with rope, and then carried across the Big Horn Mountains. They eventually met-up with Gilbert’s brother, Dudley, now heir to Barony, at Rock Creek, near Buffalo. Dudley had for some years established a sheep farm in the San Francisco area. At Buffalo, a metallic coffin was found.14
The party headed to Cheyenne in south Wyoming, which was more than 300 miles away. From here they boarded the Union Pacific Railroad to New York, a journey of some 1,700 miles. They arrived in New York on 9th October, and the coffin was placed in Grace Church at Broadway.15
They boarded the SSBritannic on Saturday 11th October, and arrived at Liverpool on Monday 20th. Lord Leigh, and The Hon. Edward Chandos Leigh, were at the docks to greet the party. The following day, an extra carriage was attached to the 2.15pm train from Lime Street station, arriving in Coventry at 5.30. The coffin was transferred to a waiting hearse, and taken to the chapel in the west wing of the Abbey, the bells tolled on its arrival. The body remained there overnight. It was covered in numerous wreaths, many of which were of an unusual size and beauty.16
The Internment
On the day of the funeral, 22nd October, the weather was calm, and thousands of people had turned out to pay their respects. Contemporary reports suggest it may have numbered 2,000 to 3,000 people, this meant that only family and close friends were admitted inside the church. Moreton Frewen was in attendance.17
The cortege left the Abbey via the private path through Home Park at 11.45am, crossing both the River Avon, and the River Sowe. It was led by Mr. Stainton, the house-steward, followed by the Leigh family and the household staff. The coffin, made of panelled oak from the estate, lay upon a Stratford Bier (flat-bed carriage). Samuel Thomas Wackrill of Leamington took care of the funeral arrangements.18
On the name plate was engraved:
The Honourable
Gilbert Henry Chandos Leigh MP
Born September 1st 1851 – Died September 14th 1884
The Rev. John Thomas Thorn (who would go on to be the vicar of St Mary’s for 33 years) performed the burial service. Outside, the Rev. O. R. Shaw-Stewart read the service of the dead for the people unable to get into the church. The body was interred in a mausoleum on the interior of the church.19
Moreton Frewen, known as the ‘Cattle King of Wyoming’, said the death of Gilbert Leigh should not go un-noticed. He was in the original expedition of five pioneers that came to Wyoming starting from Rawlins, in the autumn of 1878, to explore the then absolutely unknown regions of the Big Horn and Yellowstone Rivers. He had returned from another visit with a most enthusiastic report of the profits of cattle-raising in the thousand valleys of the Upper Missouri System, and it is not too much to say that from this report many hundreds of young Englishmen now owe their prosperity and position because of it. It was achieved by British enterprise and British capital. He recognised this area of America was not just for working-men emigrants, but also for wealthy emigrants.20
William Grenfell said of Leigh, he was a very ‘adventurous and plucky man’, and was the most modest and un-selfish person I ever knew, and was a great favourite with everyone we met. He had singular nerve and resource in times of difficulty.21
Lord and Lady Leigh received numerous telegrams and letters of condolences from all over the country. Notably, Lady Churchill, who sent condolences on behalf of Queen Victoria.22
The By-Election
The Conservatives nominated Sampson Samuel Lloyd, as their candidate, who was the present chairman of Lloyds bank, But Lloyd had a checkered political history, being un-successful in many previous by-elections and general elections.
The Liberals selected 33-year-old Lord William Compton, the 5th Marquess of Northampton, but he had never stood for parliament before. However, he had served in the Diplomatic Service for a number of years, in the British embassies in Paris, Rome and St. Petersburg.23
Due to the uncertainty of the arrival of Leigh’s body or even the suggestion that he was to be buried in America, the two parties were becoming restless. They initially came to an agreement that campaigning would not begin until the 15th October, by which time the funeral would have taken place. However, it was soon realised that the funeral would not happen until 22nd October, at the earliest. The Liberals asked the Conservatives if they would consider further delaying the campaign until after the funeral, but they refused.24 One reason given was that a number of venues had already been booked and notices/adverts posted, so it would be difficult to cancel and then re-booked them at such short notice.25 So, by mid-October, the campaigning was well under way – by both parties.
Parliamentary secretary to the treasury, Richard Grosvenor MP (Lord Stalbridge), motioned in parliament, on Monday 27th October, that a new writ be issued for the election of a new member to the South Warwickshire Division.26
The election took place on the 7th November, and with the political landscape having changed, Tory Sampson Lloyd won by a large majority. Of 29 Polling Stations in the constituency, there was just one in Kenilworth, at the National Schools. The surrounding villages of Ashow, Stoneleigh, Baginton, Honiley, Leek Wootton, Stivichall and Beausale, were also required to use the polling station in Kenilworth. 27 The count took placed at Shire Hall in Warwick.
Historical Marker on US Highway 16, Ten Sleep Canyon. Photo by kind permission of David Williams (taken in 2025)
Ten Sleep Canyon viewed from US Highway 16. Photo by kind permission of David Williams (taken in 2025)
In 1889, Bob Stewart, a member of Leigh’s original hunting party, together with local ranchers, erected a monument on top of the canyon near to the spot where Leigh met his death. It’s constructed from local stone, and is about 10′ square at the base, and inlayed with a marble slab, inscribed to the memory of Leigh. 29 It can clearly be seen from US Highway 16.
To this day, it’s still in good condition considering it’s age and the environment in which it’s located. It’s probably maintained by the local community. The nearby creek which joins the main Ten Sleep creek, was named in his memory, the campground, close to the creek, also bears his name. The monument is accessible, but only via a difficult 14-mile round-trip.30
Below is the Google maps link to the present-day Ten Sleep area
Former Quarry Road resident Thomas Litterick was born in Clydeside, Glasgow in 1929 to working-class parents, William and Annie.
The family moved south, probably to find work. In the 1939 register, the family were living at Standard Ave in Coventry. His father was recorded as being an ‘Engine Assembly Fitter’, probably in the car industry, as the city was a major car manufacturer.
Arrival In Kenilworth
Thomas eventually became a university lecturer having graduated in economics at Dundee University. He also studed at the University of St. Andrews. He lecturered at both Lanchester Polytechnic (now Coventry University), and at Aston Universityin Birmingham, on Industrial Relations.
In 1957, Thomas married Jane Ellen Birkenhead at Chippenham and they eventually came to Kenilworth. They moved into a ‘new build’ at 1, Quarry Road, probably in 1966. They had four daughters together. Quarry Road has only four houses and adjoins Malthouse Lane with De Montfort Road.
Political Life – 1970
But it was politics that made Thomas, tick, especially the left-wing variety. This made him a ‘thorn-in-the-flesh’ of not only opposition parties like the conservatives but his own Labour party as well. He was uncompromising as well as outspoken and had strong principles and was never afraid to express his opinions.
But his political life was somewhat of a roller-coaster. His first venture into public office was in the 1970 Kenilworth Urban District Council (KUDC) election when he was elected in the St John’s ward with 521 votes. He then stood in the first ever Warwick District Council (WDC) elections in 1973 but fell short in the combined Abbey & Borrowell ward, finishing 7th out of 10 candidates with only 283 votes. He also contested the Warwickshire County Council elections in 1970 and 1973, but was unsuccessful on both occasions.
His wife Jane, also stood in the 1970 KUDC election, but was un-successful in Castle ward. She last stood in 1976, both at the district and town council elections.
Resignation From KUDC
He remained on the KUDC until 1974, but resigned his seat when all the councillors were automatically transferred to the new Town Council. He believed that a poll should have taken place.
But that same year he was nominated by the Labour Party to stand in the February general election in the Selly Oak constituency, traditionally a Tory seat, but it was marginal. He fell short by 2,882 votes to Tory incumbent Harold Gurden. But when another general election was called in October of the same year, he again went head to head with Gurden, but this time he was triumphant winning by just 326 votes, due to a 3% swing. So his dream had come true, he was now a Member of Parliament on the back-benchs in the Wilson government. His voice would be heard on numerous occasions in the chamber, but he was somewhat surprised at the ‘cat-calling’ abuse that he found there.
Health and Family Issues
But it was in 1977, that he attracted most publicity. Whilst recovering from a heart attack after being on the danger-list in the Coronary Unit of Warwick Hospital, he announced he had left his wife for another woman. But, after recovering and moving to London, he suffered a relapse and was admitted to hospital.
During a press interview his wife said that she put his condition down to many factors, including the death threats they were getting, causing him stress. Indeed, his first heart attack came only hours after he had rushed back home from Westminster following death threats the family had received. She also blamed the long working hours that MPs had to endure and called for the government to change MPs working hours. Kenilworth Police became aware of the deaths threats and put on extra patroles around the area of the Littericks’ home.
The Thatcher Revolution
By the time of the 1979 General Election, the ‘wind of change’ was blowing threw UK politics. Margaret Thatcher had been tory leader since 1975 and her party stormed to a decisive victory over the Callaghan government with an overall majority of 44 seats. Thomas Litterick was one of the casualties, losing his Selly Oak seat by 4,775 votes. This must have been one of the lowest periods of his life. Thatcher would have been his arch nemesis, being on the complete opposite ends of the political spectrum to himself.
Death
Thomas Litterick died in London, on Monday 5th January 1981, he was just 51-years-old. His wife said she did not receive any notification until Tuesday afternoon when her solicitor called round to tell her of the tragic news. A death notice had appeared in The Times but no details of the funeral arrangements were mentioned. Mrs Litterick said that she had never given up hope that he would come back home to the family in Kenilworth.
Of the ‘other woman’ in his life she said; “If she is going through what we are going through, then I feel sorry for her but I appeal to her to let me have Tom’s body back so that he can be buried alongside his parents at Canley Cemetery”. But, on the 8th January, she conceded; “I will be attending the funeral tomorrow at the West London Crematorium”. Her 20-year-old daughter, Tracey, was also there. About 150 people were at the funeral, and his last election rosette was placed on his coffin.
West London Crematorium
Tributes
MP Tony Benn, described him as a remarkable man, and a dedicated socialist. He said he was a fine teacher and a very modest man.
Former Chairman of the Kenilworth Labour Party, Joe England, of Forrest Road, said that in 1973, Mr Litterick told him that there was one thing he’d like to do before he dies was to spend some time in the ‘gasworks’ – his name for the House of Commons. A year later he got his wish.
Love him or loath him, one thing that Thomas Litterick must always be remembered for, is that he was the first Kenilworth resident ever to become an MP.
Jane Litterick continued to live in Quarry Road until her death in 2006, aged 73.
By 2023, 73-year-old Arthur Harrison, had been running hardware shops for 55 years, but decided it was time to hang up his overalls for good. He had been well-known on the ‘DIY circuit’, having first run shops in his home city of Coventry. ‘Arthur’s Food Store’ was his first shop in Stoney Stanton Road back in 1969, when he was just 18. He then moved to Hexworthy Avenue in Styvechale, before coming to Kenilworth.
Advert from Kenilworth Weekly News 1988
Arthur ran Buyrite in Kenilworth for more than three decades, but readily admitted he couldn’t remember the exact year he arrived. But he remarked that the time had come for him to retire, which had been forced upon him.
Shop to be Re-Developed
The landlords have decided to re-develop the site into flats and a shop below. Over the years Buyrite had three premises: two in Talisman Square and the final one in Station Road.
Arthur said: “They have made up their minds, but I’m okay with that. I feel like it’s the right time for me to retire; I can’t say anything bad about the landlords because they have been good to me over the years.” He added: “It will be a sad day when I finally close because I really do like the customers here in Kenilworth. It’s a really nice place to have a shop.”
Like most businesses which are about to close, he expected a busy last few weeks before the shutters go-up, which was originally set for 25th March, but was extended by the landlords for a month. They even opened on Sundays to help get rid of the stock. He remarked: “Takings are already up now they know I’m going!”
Wilko Did Buyrite a Favour
The arrival of Wilkinson (later re-named Wilko, now B&M), opposite the shop in 2011, actually did him a great favour. If they haven’t got something, people would just walk across the road and see if he had it in stock. If not, Arthur would always say: “We’ll have it in by Monday.” Wilko, without doubt increased Buyrite’s footfall.
Wilko’s arrival did Arthur a favour
Kenilworth Vibes Goes ‘Viral’
Cyril Hobbins (The late) – A well-known Kenilworth resident wrote: “I shall pop in for ‘Four Candles’ before you shut the shop for good.”
Ann Hunt – “So sad yesterday to see Arthur putting up ‘closing down’ posters in his window. He has been an absolute stalwart of the local retail landscape for so many years. I for one will miss him!”
David Ian Ball – “This is sad news, by far the best shop in Kenilworth!”
Bev Clifford – “The council moved him about due to ‘knocking’ down buildings but Arthur took it all in his stride and carried on. His humour and cheerful nature will be another great loss to Kenilworth. Good luck to retirement.”
Trading was extended by a month
Melanie Lawrence – “That’s so sad to hear. I’ve lived in Kenilworth for over 30 years and he has always been there and always so friendly and cheerful. Will be so strange not to see him there.”
Kath Shortley – “Happy retirement Arthur, you deserve it. You were a good neighbour to Alec and myself at Juteronomy. All the very best. You will be missed in the town.”
Marianne Dawn – “Oh no! Love that shop and Arthur. In that Aladdin’s cave, he knows where everything is as well.”
Michaela Franklin – “Sad news, grew up with his shop by my nan’s house in Styvechale. Was always nice to know, when he was in Kenilworth if you ever needed that ‘thing‘ you couldn’t get anywhere else.”
James Fletcher – “The only person who can find a needle in a haystack.”
Sare Scooby Tabor – “Ooh, Mr Arkwright we will miss the banter, you are a legend. Your two beautiful daughters have worked so god damn hard, credit to you.”
Bye-Bye Arthur
In the last few weeks before closure, Arthur was literally selling everything, the shelving and even the till had to go. By the last day of trading the shop was virtually empty but his daughter Louise indicated that any leftover stock would be donated to charity.
Shutters Go Up
Photo courtesy the late of Cyril Hobbins
Due to illness, Arthur was unable to attend the shop for the last couple of weeks of trading. His daughters took charge of the shop during this period. But he was able to attend on the final day of trading, Saturday 29th April 2023. As usual he had a big smile on his face!
One question some Kenilworth people asked Arthur was: “How the devil do you do a stock-take, in a place like this?”
Empty (except for the till which they couldn’t sell)
Boarded Up – July 2023
Arthur Harrison 1950-2023
Sadly, Arthur died on 4th August 2023. His funeral took place at Cannon Hill Chapel, Canley Crematorium, on 21st August.
We all know, that when even a small pebble is dropped or thrown into a pool, ripples expand outwards for quite a way, often until they reach a distant shore.
I have discovered that this can happen on what I refer to as the, ‘Pool of Life’, I speak of metaphorical pebbles obviously. It happened to me in late 2008, when, completely out of the blue, I received an email from the USA from a LA company called, J. West. They were representing Disney Home Entertainment Inc, and were inviting me to take part in the launch of the DVD/Blu-Ray platinum edition of the remastered cartoon film of Pinocchio. Yes, they wanted me!
Photo credit – Cyril Hobbins
But I was so sceptical, thinking it was some sort of a scam, I took the time to research them to check on the company – they were genuine. After some transatlantic negotiation, I agreed to the whole thing. I will summarise my week-long Hollywood adventure later.
But it has puzzled me ever since who, somewhere in the world, knew of my one-man-band, toy research and wooden toy making business all in a small shed, here in Kenilworth. Exactly, who threw that pebble into my personal ‘pool of life’, for the ripples to expand outwards across the Atlantic to America? I have never found out and probably never will.
A Change of Career
I had given up my post as Deputy Manager/Social Worker after 15 years at a Warwick Day Centre for adults with severe learning disabilities, to set myself up as a researcher, then re-creator of historically accurate wooden toys, dolls and games.
After making a few toys, I started to sell them at places like Kenilworth Market and I even had a stall in the Abbey Fields on Carnival day. But It was a slow start.
I expanded the business by using my social work and teaching skills to create, then to validate, toy history and toy-making courses, for Infant and Junior Schools. This was part of the then growing, National Curriculum.
Every month I would make enough toys to sell at local Craft Events and in the Cotswolds. I would also produce enough of my littletoy-kits for my practical toy-making workshops at schools, museums and historic sites. Eventually, I became Tudor Toymaker to English Heritage, and Victorian Toymaker for the National Trust, and at various museums.
My little toy-kitscould be completed by almost any child within 40 minutes. I made a range of about 40 different toys, which meant I could spend a whole day with a single class.
photo credit – Vernon Todd
I soon had a full order book, which kept me exceptionally busy, and exceedingly happy – all my hard work was finally paying off!
A further development was my historically accurate replicas of museum exhibits of wooden toys, dolls and games, allowed children to have, hands-on experience during their visits.
Drawings by Cyril Hobbins
There are collections of these toys at places like Charlecote House, Wordsworth House, Compton Verney, Tattershall Castle plus many other museums.
Charlecote House, near Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire
So, after around five years, I was becoming relatively well known in the Midlands, and especially the Cotswolds. But I say again, who told Disney? Which returns me to my ‘Pebbles in the Pool of Life’ ………….. theme
Disney – An Enduring Memory
To summarise as promised earlier, in January 2009, my wife Glenys and I, were whisked off by a chauffeur driven car to Heathrow Airport to board a Boeing 777, heading for LAX International Airport; as VIP guests in business-class, no less! On arrival at LAX, and after a rather stressful introduction to US Border Control and Immigration, we were greeted by a driver, who took us to our accomodation.
The Famous Hollywood Sign. Photo credit – Tony Dilworth
Photo credit – Tony Dilworth
As guests of Disney Home Entertainment, we spent a magical week in a luxury suite (13 floors up), at the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel, overlooking the city, with the famous Hollywood Sign in the distance hills. During our stay, we ate at the Hollywood Grill and used the roof-top swimming pool. The hotel breakfast’s, had to be seen to be believed, we were thoroughly spoiled. This was after a film-crew from Pinewood Studio’s, had filmed me at home in my workshop. This video was used as part of the second disc, that launched the re-mastered, Pinocchio.
View from Cyril’s hotelCyril relaxing in his plush hotel suite.
Click on photo to enlarge
We were given two days to recover from our jet-lag which gave us time to explore places like: Hollywood Boulevard, Beverley Hills and Santa Monica. Then came two days of hard and intensive work at the Burbank Disney Studios, giving dozens of press interviews and toy making demonstrations. I was even given an official ‘Minder’ to keep an eye on me. She was wonderful, always ensuring that I was comfortable and at ease.
One task was to take part in what is known as a ‘B’ Roll movie, for Disney Records. For the first time (and hopefully the last) I was given the full works by a make-up artist. We had lighting and sound checks etc, I then demonstrated my large collection of wooden toys to the Chief Creative Officer, John Lasseter, whilst he interviewed me.
Cyril in a typical Toy-Making outfit – leather apron, neckerchief & Victorian stripy shirt – pictured with John Lasseter.
Afterwards, we were given a complete tour of the Walt Disney archive and museum, including the huge pre-war animation camera that Walt Disney used for all his early work. We even met the man, Dickie Jones (pictured), a child actor back in the day, who did the original voice of Pinocchio, in the film’s production during 1938/9. He was 11-years-old at the time!
A truly amazing week, that remains an enduring memory.
The Platinum DVD/Blu Ray edition of Pinocchio is still about, (plenty to be found on ebay), but less and less people are using this format nowadays, so maybe the film can be found on the Disney+ streaming service? Have a look if you are a subscriber.
But, finally, I would truly love to discover who threw my pebble?? ………………..
Harold Francis Newey was born on the 22nd October 1897, to parents William Newey and Emily Wyton. (pictured, left). Emily originated from Hook Norton.
The family lived at 50, High Street (Newey cottage) where the Newey family had lived for generations.
Postal Workers
His father was a postman in Kenilworth, and after leaving school, Harold also got a job with the Post Office, becoming a ‘Telegraph messenger boy’. So they both spent a lot of time on their bikes, around the streets of Kenilworth!
But within a few years, WW1 had started and by the time he was 18 years-old he had signed-up, and was transferred into the reserve of the R.G.A (Royal Garrison Artillery). After his training he was eventually called-up for service in August 1917. But he never left the country.
The R.G.A. provided heavy siege howitzers, and coastal artillery plus mobile guns on railways. Some of these guns were manufactured at the Coventry Ordinance Works.
Postcard from Harold to his mother
After The War
Having got through the war, he was discharged and put into the Army Reserve in November 1919. So, it was back to civilian life in Kenilworth for young Harold.
Following in his father’s foot-steps, he became involved with St Nicholas church, and eventually became a sexton, and was a keen bell-ringer.
In 1929, he married Rose Hughes of Warwick Road at St Nicholas. They settled into married life at 19, St John’s Street, and had one daughter together, called Rosemary. For the best part of his adult life, Harold worked in the engineering industry in Coventry, he last worked for the Auto. Machinery Co. in Aldermoor Lane.
St Nicholas Church, second home to the Newey’s
World War Two
On the outbreak of WW2, Harold voluntered to become an ARP Warden in Kenilworth and was one of the first responders on the scene when the landmine fell on The Square/Abbey End in November 1940, which killed 25 people. He witnessed much horror and destruction that night, which he probably never forgot. Indeed, Kenilworth has never forgotten.
Aftermath of the landmine – ARP Wardens can be seen digging through the rubble. photo courtesy of the Warwickshire County Records Office PH (N) 600/279/9 img 9376
In 2023 his ARP helmet was donated to the Abbey Museum by his grandson Barry Rose. The museum is run by The Kenilworth History & Archaeology Society. https://www.khas.co.uk/
Grandson Barry Rose hands over Harold’s ARP Helmet to Hon. Museum Curator, Margaret Kane.
The St Nicholas Bellringers 1950’s (Harold is far right, his father is in the centre)
Harold pictured in his back garden with grandson Barry Rose. (late 1950s)
Harold died in 1962, three day’s short of his 65th birthday. His ashes are buried at St Nicholas churchyard, along with his wife Rose, who died in 1986, age 93.
In 1986, Cyril Hobbins volunteered to restore the vandal wrecked, Tumbledown Stile (also known as a clattergate or clappergate stile). More of the restoration later.
The stile was once in place across the narrow entrance to the Abbey Gatehouse, next to a larger field gate, which closed-off the wider cart entrance. (see photo below.)
Abbey ‘Tantara’ Gatehouse Stile just visable behind the man 1860s, courtesy of Warwickshire County Records Office. ref. PH 652/1/113 img 7093
Cyril remembers as wicked Kenilworth kids, he and his mates would take unsuspecting visitors to go over the stile first, it would then collapse, with a loud clatter as they tumbled to the ground, it was great fun! Cyril also said, that the heavy hammer-shaped end pieces, could be used to crack nuts.
Other Tumbledown Stiles
Kenilworth’s stile, is one of only a few that still survive, the nearest is at Charlecote, located close to the Charlecote Garden Centre in the village. This is on the opposite side of the road to entrance of Charlecote Park. It’s a modern replacement, which doesn’t operate correctly. But at least it’s still there.
The Charlecote Stile – Both old (early 1900s) and present day (2022)
According to the Hungerford Virual Museum, there are less than 16 remaining in the country. A photo of the Kenilworth stile (and Cyril) are recorded on their website (in the street furniture/tumble stile section), together with the other remaining stiles from around the country.
This cleverly designed stile, kept farm animals from straying into St. Nicholas churchyard, which containing poisonous yews trees. The stile closed automatically, so was more efficient than a standard hinged-gate. The loud clatter could also warn-off intruders in a situation close to a farmhouse or cottage.
Painting by Enid TandyPresent day arch
How Old is the Stile?
The stile’s age, and condition, has been a topic of conversation for a very long time. For example, a report appeared in the Kenilworth Advertiser, on 24th August 1918, stating;
‘This valuable old relic of by-gone days, which is under the archway of the ‘Tantara’ ruins, still remains in such a condition, that it positively invites a mischievous youngster to complete its destruction and in these times of fuel shortages, take home the remains. We called attention a few weeks ago to the fact that the slotted post was needed to be put into thorough repair but evidently no value is attached to this unique piece of work’.
But with no local History Society around in those days to care for it, plus the Kenilworth Urban District Council (KUDC) not seemingly interested, it looked like the stile was doomed. But somehow it has survived.
Before its restoration, the stile had been in situ for well over 100 years, If the Victorian photo at the top of this page is anything to go by, the stile is probably more than 160-years-old. But no one really knows its full age. Maybe dendro dating could establish an approximate age?
Vandalised – 1973
In late February 1973, due to concerns about the condition of the gate, the Kenilworth History & Archaeology Society, wrote to the KUDC suggesting that members of their Society remove and restore it. They also suggested it should be resited in a position where it could be seen, and operated without danger or misuse. But there were delays in granting permission, due to questions of ownership. The Parks & Cemetery Committee, finally granted permission but sadly, only a few weeks before it had been vandalised on the 16th June. Unfortunately during this period, the Society was deeply committed to work at Little Virginia, so the stile wasn’t retrieved before the vandalism occured. The remaining parts were salvaged, and placed in the ‘Barn’. And there the shattered stile lay, for more than a decade ……….
By March 1973 it was starting to show its age and bits were falling off. (courtesy of Kenilworth Weekly News)
The Restoration – 1986
To restore it, Cyril had to source good old but sound oak fence posts from the local council, it took almost a month of spare time, to splice bits together, and to get it fully functioning again. Because the bottoms of the posts had rotted, they could never go in the ground again; so he devised the ‘low castored truck’, so the whole contraption could be hauled back into its original place, if required.
Photos courtesy of Cyril Hobbins (1986)
There is no doubt, that if Cyril had not stepped in to rescue the stile when he did, then it could have disappeared forever. It could never have been put back in situ at the gatehouse. There it would certainly have been vandalised again, then what? So, ‘Nice One Cyril’
Present Day
Abbey Museum & Heritage Centre – Abbey Fields
The restored stile, is kept on the upper floor of the Abbey Museum & Heritage Centre (The ‘Barn’), in the Abbey Fields, which is open during Bank Holidays and Sunday afternoons, from Easter to September. The custodians of ‘Barn’ are the Kenilworth History & Archaeology Society.
Look closely at the 1986 photograph, you will see a much younger version of Cyril. This was on the day that he handed it back. I wonder how many locals remember it, and whether they too had fun with it?
