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

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.