Edith Cunliffe

iBase ID

15

Title

Edith Cunliffe, J.P., Mayor of Chorley

Description

Edith Cunliffe was Mayor of Chorley in 1958-59, This collection of phtographs from the Chorley Guardian was presented in an album as a memento of her year in office.
She died in 1977, aged 95 and her obituary can be found in the Chorley Guardian of 31 March 1977.
Edith was described in her obituary as "the last of the old guard of Chorley Council". Her father William was appointed Chorley Sanitary Inspector by the Improvement Commissioners in 1873, but was best known for his organisation of the Fire Brigade.
During Edith's council service, which began in 1945, she chaired the Watch Committee, the Appointments Committee and was Vice-Chairman of the lIbrary Committee.
Her appointment as Mayor in 1958 followed in the footsteps of her uncle, Alderman Alban Jolly, who was Mayor in 1911. Politically she was a "true blue" Tory and party work for her beloved West Ward, where she was born and lived for most of her life, took up much of her time. Having been elevated to Alderman during her Mayoralty she took part in a walk-out along with fellow "old guard" colleagues, James Hindle and Bertram Gaskell, when following Labour's victory in 1964 Alderman due for re-election were sacked.
She served the Divisional Executive and represented the Council on the Governors of Chorley Grammar School, Highfield and Duke Street Schools and Southlands.
She was Chairman of the Grammar School Governors and her proudest moment was the laying of the foundation stone of the new school during her Mayoralty in May 1959.

Summary