1964-1965, Edward Ellison, Mayor of Leigh
Edward Ellison, a miner and trade union official throughout his working life, made it his priority as Leigh’s fifty-third mayor to use his position to raise funds for the St John Ambulance Brigade.
To that end, on his investiture he spelled out his intention to hold a series of fund-raising events during his year of office to show his appreciation for the work they did and which the brigade funded itself.
Born in Leigh in 1904, the young Edward Ellison showed an unsettled disposition, starting his education at Sacred Heart School before transferring to Xll Apostles School following the re-organisation of the town’s school system. Even then he was not entirely satisfied with his lot and at the age of nine he worked on the market after school on Fridays until Saturday evening for the princely sum of one shilling (5 pence). He later became a newsboy before going into the mill as a part-timer. He only lasted a few months before moving on to Harrison McGregor’s.
He didn’t stay long there either and at the age of 13 went into the mining industry as a “tally-snatcher”. At 14 he went underground and seemed to find his vocation, although he still moved around, working at several collieries in the area.
Even then he still looked to improve his earning potential and worked as a part-time insurance agent.
Always fired by an ambition to do something more with his time, he joined the Labour Party and trades union movement and for several years was secretary of the St Mary’s Ward committee. An active worker, he was one of the groups who helped win the election in St Joseph’s Ward which gave Labour a majority on the council for the first time – a majority they subsequently increased and retained.
Edward himself became a member of the council for the same ward in 1950 and retained his seat until local government reorganisation in 1974, when he retired. Regarded as “rough, crude and boisterous” in his early years on the council, the passing of time and his experience in municipal matters brought a marked improvement in his behaviour, although he retained a reputation as a fiery character.
A magistrate, he served on various council committees and was chairman of the Leigh and Atherton Joint Sewerage Board.
Edward retired from Bickershaw Colliery in 1968 at the age of 64, but continued in municipal life, fulfilling his promise to support the St John Ambulance Brigade. On the day he became mayor, he said of the organisation: “If we can raise some funds for them they will be able to provide even better services than they do now and I shall undertake several schemes to help them along.” He remained actively involved with the St John Ambulance movement until three months before he died in August 1985 at the age of 81 following a long illness. He was also president of Leigh Old People’s Welfare Committee.
A widower, he left three daughters, two sons and eleven grandchildren. He was buried at Leigh Cemetery following a funeral service at St Gabriel’s Church, Higher Folds, where he had been an active parishioner in addition to 50 years’ association with St Joseph’s Church.
Written by Gordon Sharrock
References
Biographical cuttings – Edward Ellison, available at Leigh Local Studies.