1924-1925, John Horrocks, Mayor of Leigh

John Horrocks became the sixteenth Mayor of Leigh in 1924, following in the footsteps of his father, William, who was Mayor in 1902and 1906. Horrocks’ grandfather, John, was also involved in the municipal area and was elected as a member of the Bedford Local Board in 1863.

Horrocks himself was born in Leigh,in 1878 and was educated in Bedford Church Day School, Manchester Grammar School and finally at Rossall School. After his education was complete he went to Mather Lane mills, where his father was director, to learn about the cotton industry. He later founded Leigh Spinners Ltd. with friends and family and began working his own mill in 1915, though he was also the director at Pennington Mill Co. Furthermore, Horrocks was the President of the engineering section at Leigh Technical School, the director of Leigh Conservative Club Buildings Company and a member of the Old Rectory Club and Lilford Lodge Freemasons. It is possibly owing to his apparently busy lifestyle that Horrocks was elected onto the council only 12 months prior to becoming Mayor.

Horrocks also had a full personal life and was President of Leigh Literary Society as well as being an organist at Leigh Parish Church. Moreover, he was an avid golfer and was a member of both Leigh and Worsley Golf Clubs.

At the time he was elected Horrocks had two sons and two daughters with his wife, Agnes Wilson, whom he married in 1909. The family resided at ‘Thorneycroft’, just off Green Lane in Leigh, however they also owned a summer cottage in Windermere.

Horrocks was described as a kind and good-hearted man who showed interest in the gas, electricity, water and motor omnibus as well as in housing and town planning. Amongst other things he wanted to improve the living conditions on Plank Lane by improving the sewage system there.

By Peter Spencer

References

Biographical cuttings - John Horrocks, Leigh Local Studies