1949-1950, Thomas Hourigan, Mayor of Leigh

1949-1950, Thomas Hourigan, Mayor of Leigh 

Thomas Hourigan was born in Leigh, the son of a miner. He received a primary education at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic School. Thomas left school at only 12 to become an apprentice.

Thomas was elected to the council in 1934 and held the position of chair of the Council’s Health Committee for many years. He was elected to Lancashire County Council in March 1946 and became Chair of the County Health Committee.

He served as Mayor of Leigh from 1949 to 1950. 1949 was a momentous year for the Borough of Leigh as it marked 50 years of the incorporation of the borough.

He will however also be remembered for his dedication to public service. Thomas was appointed area organiser for South Lancashire National Union of Public Employees in 1938 having been an assistant organiser for the previous few months and full time officer. In 1941 he was also a member of workers side of Lancashire & Cheshire Whitley Council for Local Authorities Non-Trading Services for Manual Workers (determining wages & conditions of manual workers employed in non-trading services e.g. hospital workers, institutional workers & county council employees).

As of 1949 Thomas was a member of Gas & Water, Cleansing, Transport, Highways, Watch & Cemetery and Finance Committees along with Chair of Leigh Council Fire Brigade Committee & vice-chairman of County Fire Brigades Committee. He was appointed a Leigh alderman in 1953, a magistrate in 1956 and a county alderman in 1957. 

Hourigan biggest contribution some would say was to the health sector. Thomas was chair of Leigh Council's Health Committee from 1953 – 1965, when he resigned to become chairman of Manchester Regional Hospital Board. He had also been Chair of the County Health Committee (undated- 1966) but after resigning he was still part of the county health committee as a member. He believed that “...a close association between the County Health Committee, and the Regional Hospital Board is essential…” 

His influence went beyond Leigh and Lancashire; he was a prominent Catholic speaker & held many positions in Catholic societies, locally & nationally, including vice president of British C.Y.M.S., president of Liverpool Arch-Diocesan Council of C.Y.M.S. and the president of Twelve Apostles C.Y.M.S. Thomas was also a member of Regional Council for County Council employees for North Wales (in conjunction with a national council fixing wages & conditions of county council roadmen). An active Trade Unionist, he was elected to branch committee & served as delegate to Trades Council and Labour Party meetings. Aside from public sectors, Thomas also became a Secretary of Leigh Rugby for eight years and secretary-manager.

Thomas was honoured throughout his life for his work and was given an honorary masters degree from Manchester University in 1963 for his contribution to public services. Thomas was also made a Freeman of Borough of Leigh in November 1972 and was awarded a CBE in the New Years Honours List 1973.

References

Biographical cuttings – Thomas Hourigan, Leigh Local Studies