Accrington on Rails - The Tramways: A Complete History - Robert Kenyon

should be deferred pending more enquiries and a full report from the Tramways Committee, as to their motives for adopting this course. On being put to the vote this motion was declared lost. It was then resolved that it should be ‘suggested’ to a meeting of the Full Council that Accrington should consider seriously the suggestion of the Corporation promoting a Bill in Parliament to enable them to operate omnibus services in a ‘favourable light’. July At a meeting of the Tramways Committee, it was resolved that the practice of issuing free tickets to the blind to enable them to travel on the trams, as adopted by the Tramway Manager should be referred back to the Tramway Sub-Committee for further consideration and a report. August The Tramways Committee met when they again considered the practice of the Tramway Manager in granting facilities to enable blind people to travel gratis on the trams. They decided this practice could continue and not be changed. The Tramway Manager then reported the new motor ambulance had been delivered and was complete and ready for use. Tram number 3 had been out in service specially decorated to encourage the people of the town to ‘Do Your Duty’, which was in aid of raising funds for the Victoria Hospital Fete held on Saturday, August 14 th , 1926. It took part in a procession a mile and a half long and this, along with other associated events raised almost £40,000 for the hospital fund. Note At a ‘special’ meeting of the Town Council held on September 1 st , Mr William Henry Warhurst LL.B, formerly Town Clerk of Hammersmith Council, assumed his office as the new Town Clerk, replacing Mr A. H. Aitken. (Although never a manager, one cannot provide a complete picture of the evolution of transport in Accrington and District without mention of Mr Arthur Henry Aitken who held the position of Town Clerk for forty-one years from June 1 st , 1885 until he retired on August 31 st , 1926. He was instrumental in the administration of the various Committees which oversaw the first public transport in the town in the form of the Accrington Steam Tramway Company, and more importantly the take-over by the Corporation in 1907 and the subsequent electrification and extension of the tramway system. Also a significant player during these times was Mr William Joseph Newton who held the post of Borough Engineer from 1888 to 1928. The part these gentlemen played, especially in this latter mentioned episode cannot be over emphasised. I cannot pass by recording a few words on Mr James Kenyon, another leading light in the transport history of the town. Born in 1827, he was co-founder of the Ewbank Works along with Mr Entwistle. By profession he was a dispensing chemist, with a shop on the corner of Bank Street with Oak Street in Accrington. When the locals got into a series of disputes with the board of the Accrington Corporation Steam Tramway Company, over the dividends it was paying to the shareholders even though it was experiencing financial difficulties, he stepped in. Such was the acrimonious nature of the annual general meetings that eventually the ‘outsiders’ were ousted and the ‘local’ shareholders took control. James Kenyon was then appointed as Chairman, although he was not a holder of a large number of shares. This came at a most critical time in the history of the undertaking, but he oversaw the situation with great energy and expertise, steering it onto an even keel, although it still came in for criticism from some locals. A devote Christian, it was said that only until he had emerged from the Sunday Service would a tramcar be allowed to pass along Whalley Road by the Church. He passed away in 1923 at the age of 92. Thomas Edward Higham was the Chairman of the Accrington Electricity & Tramway Company. He serves three terms as Mayor of the town, in 1906, 1907and again in the Jubilee year of 1928. His other capacities he was Chairman of the Mid Lancashire Electricity Board, the Ribble Board of Conservators and the Industrial Council of the North West. He was the leader of the local Liberal Party and President of the Amateur Dramatic Society. He also donated to the town the playing fields which bear his name. He was also the first Freeman of the town, which he served for very many years. His business interests included being the Chairman of the Board of Highams Mills Ltd, which became the largest manufacturer of cotton sheets in the world. Later he was Knighted for his many achievements.) September At a meeting of the Tramways Committee, the Town Clerk reported he had received a letter from the Ministry of Transport reminding the Corporation that the Temporary Increase of Charges Order 1925 would expire on December 31 st , and if that an extension was to be sought the formal application

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