Links in a Chain - the Mayors of Bolton
Links in a Chain - The Mayors of Bolton
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Winifred Kettle

Chairman of Westhoughton Urban District Council: 1948-49, 1951-52, 1957-58, 1973-74 (Labour)

Born: Burslem, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire 20 August 1901

Died: Bolton 14 February 1985

Born Winifred Ellis.

Married Frederick John Kettle in 1923.

First woman to be elected to Westhoughton UDC, first female Chairman of Westhoughton Urban District Council and also its last Chairman.

Member of the original Independent Labour Party Guild of Youth and as a child even carried a sandwich board around Burslem supporting the Labour candidate during one election.

During the Second World War she was the Chairman of Billeting and Food Control in Westhoughton.

Represented Central Ward on Westhoughton UDC and later Bolton MBC for 42 years.

Served as a Lancashire County Councillor and Alderman for 26 years.

Chairman of Lancashire County Children's Committee.

County Magistrate 1944.

Before Westhoughton Council was disbanded in 1974 she and Adam Glover were presented with silver salvers in appreciation of their service. At that time they were the only remaining pre-War members.

The Winifred Kettle Home (later a community care centre) at Washacre, Westhoughton, was named in her honour during her lifetime.

Awarded OBE 1 January 1974.

Made an Honorary Alderman in 1980.

 

Click for larger image Final group portrait of Westhoughton Urban District Council with Winifred Kettle as Chairman 1974.

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Click for larger image Winifred Kettle being presented with the Chairman's Chain of Office by her predecessor, Reuben Greenhalgh, in Westhoughton Council Chamber 1957.

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Winifred Kettle

 

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