1952-1953, Ellis Green, Mayor of Leigh

1952-1953, Ellis Green, Mayor of Leigh

Ellis Green, a keen sportsman in his youth, devoted his life to good causes – not least to the Forces personnel who passed though Leigh during the Second World War.

A man of many talents with a wide range of interests in a long and varied life in public service, Ellis Green was acknowledged as one of Leigh’s hardest working mayors who, together with his mayoress, wife Florence, fulfilled more than 620 engagements in his year of office – a record at the time.

Born in Bedford Square in 1902 and educated at St Thomas’s School and Leigh Technical College, Ellis started work as a “half-timer”, employed as a scavenger at Jones’s cotton mill. After 12 months he had a change of direction which eventually led to 52 years service at one of the town’s foremost companies.

He was at St Thomas’s School on the morning of that fateful day in February 1915, when his headmaster received a letter from Sutcliffe and Speakman asking if he had a boy suitable for office work. He read the letter to the young Ellis, who instead of reporting for duty for his afternoon shift at the mill, went to the engineering works’ Guest Street offices where he was given the job as office boy and started there and then on a wage of four shillings a week. He rose through the ranks to eventually become the company’s chief purchasing officer.

A keen sportsman - he ran for Leigh Harriers and Salford Harriers and played on the wing for Tyldesley Rugby Union Club – he maintained his sporting links throughout his civic life. He served as secretary of Leigh Rugby League Supporters Club, president of Leigh Amateur Rugby League, secretary of Leigh Harriers and also held influential positions on a number of regional and national athletics organisations, including the East Lancashire Cross Country Association, the Northern Counties Cross Country Association, English Cross Country Union the Northern Counties AAA. He was also a selector for the England international cross country team.

Ellis Green joined Leigh Borough Council in March 1941, representing St Thomas’s Ward and at the time of his election as mayor in 1952 he had served on most committees. He was chairman of the Ratings Committee for six years and served on the Divisional Health Committee and Board of Guardians.

He became a Borough Magistrate in 1954 and an alderman in 1958 and was chairman of Leigh Conservative Association for three years.

An active member of Bedford Church, he was also a sidesman and served on the Church Council of Leigh Parish Church, where he was a Sunday School teacher.

A member of Bedford Church Amateur Dramatic Society for nine years, his love of music also saw him spend many years in the choir at All Saints Church. He was a Jobmaster of Leigh Toc H, of which he had been a member since its formation.

As secretary of Leigh Leisure Club for Unemployed during the industrial depression, he helped many people deal with hardship and continued to help the needy during the Second World War when, serving with the Home Guard and as an Air Raid Warden, he became a founder member of the Leigh Services Club, where many service men and women sought help during the conflict. He also assisted as a volunteer at Winwick Military Hospital.

A former president of the St John Ambulance Brigade, he died in April 1987, aged 85, after a short illness, leaving a son and daughter. Following a funeral service at Bedford Church, he was buried in Leigh Cemetery.

Written by Gordon Sharrock

References

Biographical cuttings – Ellis Green, available at Leigh Local Studies.