1932-1933, James Langley Prescott, Mayor of Leigh

1932-1933, James Langley Prescott, Mayor of Leigh

James resided at 122 Holden Road, Leigh but he was born in Liverpool, and was the son of James Prescott Senior, the first working miner to be appointed a Magistrate. Unfortunately James’ father died before taking his seat.

James started work as a half-timer at Hayes Mills at the age of ten, and two years later he was down the colliery.

In 1909 he was appointed political agent for the Leigh Division by the Lancashire and Cheshire Miner’s Federation, a position he held until the end of 1942. He was the secretary of the Wigan Coal and Iron Company’s Branch and Treasurer to the Leigh District Miners. For 3 years he was a member of the Board of Management of the Wigan and District Miner’s Permanent Relief Society.

James was a member of the Leigh Town Council, on and off, since 1912.

Twice he lost his seat in St. Mary’s Ward but due to characteristic persistence he won his seat back.

He was appointed an Alderman on the 13 June 1939, filling a vacancy created by the death of Alderman J Ashworth. He was also appointed a Borough Magistrate in 1924. He had been the Chair of the Transport Committee since May 1931.

In 1932 James became the Mayor of Leigh.

For many years Alderman Prescott was President of the Leigh Labour Club and for both World Wars he performed a good deal of voluntary service.

In 1942 he had a very serious illness which caused him to relinquish his post as Labour Party Secretary. He died at Manchester Royal Infirmary at the age of 69 years. James had a wife and a daughter.

References

Biographical cuttings – James Langley Prescott, available at Leigh Local Studies