Hungerford Parish & Town Council, 100 Years of Service, 1894-1994

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One winters evening a small group of people gathered together to start the planning for the Centenary Celebrations ofHungerford Parish and Town Councils. As well as a Tree Planting, Exhibition and Enactment of some of the more notable topics of 100 years of local government the idea of a Centenary booklet was conceived. Pawing through newspaper archives and various other sources of information is not everybody's cup of tea but thanks must go to Jack Williams for his extensive and enthusiastic research. For those of you who have read Jacks writing you will understand the challenge undertaken by Jean Hutchings who single handed transformed Jack notes into type written sheets. The task of producing the booklet in its finished form fell to Paul Cable. Thanks are also extended to both Mr Stewart Hofgartner and Mr David Holtby who between them have covered the cost of publication. It is hoped that those who read this booklet will gain as much enjoyment and knowledge as those who worked so hard to research and compile it. This short history of the activities of the Hungerford Parish Council 1894 -1974 and the Town Council 1974 - 1994 is written to celebrate 100 years of Local Government in the Town. The inital public enthusiasm for this form of democracy was quite incredible and in December 1894 so many people were nominated for councillor and so many people wanted to vote that the turnout equalled anything seen at a modern-day general election. The Hungerford Town Council ran in parallel with the Hungerford Rural District Council for 80 years until 1974 but as with many other smaller authorities the District Council was swallowed up by Newbury District Council. In 1974 the Parish Council availed themselves of the opportunity to adopt the status of Town Council and elect a Town Mayor to be its first citizen and that worthy office is one of great honour for those people who have occupied the position. The responsibility and the financing needed has increased enormously in the 100 years, but still your local elected councillors remain very much part of the community. There is a great deal to fascinate and give Job satisfaction to anyone with interest in local affairs and local electors are always welcomed to the monthly meeting of the council. Miam6 Editor * Cover Photograph and Leverton Stocks supplied by The Newbury Weekly News
One Hundred Years ago in 1894, when the Blackpool Tower and Tower Bridge in London were opened, parish councils were born. On December 4th 1894 meetings under the Local Government Act 1894 were held in every parish in the Kingdom and in Hungerford this was especially important, Local government had previously been associated with all the quaint and historic ceremonies of Hocktide. Vestry meetings there had been but these were but the formal assembly of a few officials. The meeting on Tuesday December 4th 1894 had none of the ancient ceremony associated with Hocktide but it so captured the imagination and the wishes of the towns people that of the 601 people eligible to vote over 441 were in the Corn Exchange that winter's night. The overseers, assisted by Town Crier Bushnell, ensured that only people eligible to vote attended, all the seats were filled, there were crowds left standing at the back and they smoked their pipes as they watched the evening unfold. A Chairman, Mr Morse Goulter, was elected and nominations were called for and over 40 papers were handed in, but after lengthy scrutiny these were reduced to 28 acceptable applicants. As the Parish Council was to consist of only 11 members, and as the initial instruction was to elect by show of hands, the ensuing election was a practical impossibility. Fortunately a poll was called for and quite miraculously just 13 days later on December 17th a full parliamentary style election took place. In the waiting period much canvassing took place and detailed below are firstly the people who were nominated on December 4th and secondly the result of the election which took place on December 17th, this gives detail of the election, the occupation of the candidates and the votes cast. Well known names appear of people who were associated with the Town until recently but sadly, such is the pace of modern life that with the exception of Hawkes, Beard, Gibbs, Phelps and New the other families no longer have an association with Hungerford. Nomi tated on December 4th. 1894 J. Adnams A.E. Allright H.T. Beard W.G.P. Chisell G.E. Platt T. Fruen A. Harrison Corn Dealer Draper Coal Merchant Draper Brewer Undertaker Platelayer W.G. Alexa F. Bates C. Bodman G. Coombs J. Eloy K Gibbs S. Hawkes Wheelwright & c. Draper Miller Working Engineer Bricklayer Photographer A. Higgs A.E. Hoare T.H. Killick H.P. Major S.O.New H.R. Parnell E.R. Portall Grocer Labourer Grocer Doctor Tailor Con. Minister Gentleman Elected on December 17th. 1894 A. Hissey J.W. Home W. Lambourn W. Mapson J. Newhook G.T. Phelps A. Buckeridge Farmer Victualler Shoemaker Jeweller Schoolmaster Grocer & Baker Veterinary Surgeon Votes Harry Major Alfred Allright George-Coombs John Adnams William Chisell 288 241 185 174 169 Charles Bodman George Phelps William Mapson George Platt Thomas Fruen 243 196 183 171 148 William Alexander 147 In addition the following were elected to the first Hungerford Rural District Council. George Phelps 255 William Mapson 202 John Adnams 199 George Platt 183 It is interesting to note that the Constable of the day, Alfred Buckeridge was unsuccessful in being elected, as were seven other town stalwarts - Samuel Hawkes, Thomas Killick, Henry J. Beard, Edward Portall, James Newhook and Alfred Hoare, Many of these stood in later elections and served the Town with devotion and distinction. 1895 Special Town meeting authorises Parish Council to take over street lighting. 1896 -1901 Elections were now held on an annual basis until 1901, but only 1899 and 1900 were contested with 19 and 20 candidates for the 13 seats available, with names like Beard and Cottrell being elected. During these early years the Parish Council had no settled meeting place using the Corn Exchange, Magistrates Room, Wesleyan Schoolroom and Union Workhouse and it seems that only from 1904 onwards was the Town Hall used as its regular venue. Starting time for all meetings was 8p.m. Rental agreed at 2/6 per meeting.
Page 1: I HVNGERFORD PARISH 8- TOWN COVNCIL
Page 5 and 6: 1919 May 7th - Spraying Potatoes -
Page 7 and 8: ecame a Doughnut Dugout; Tea Dances
Page 9 and 10: 1953 1954 1955 Clifford Audsley res
Page 11 and 12: 1969 1970 1971 Clerks salary was in
Page 13 and 14: 1984 1985 1986 Closure of Hospital
Page 15: 1894 Dec/1 895 1895/96 1896 to 1901

Hungerford Parish & Town Council, 100 Years of Service, 1894-1994

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