1951-1952, William Woolstencroft, Mayor of Leigh

1951-1952, William Woolstencroft, Mayor of Leigh

Born 28 September 1884 in Old Market Street, Leigh the son of Edwin, a tobacconist and hairdresser, William Woolstencroft was educated at Leigh Parish Church School and upon leaving became a wages clerk with Leigh Corporation Gas, Water and Electricity department. After 10 years, and the dedication to set up a sickness benefit club to help employees unable to work due to ill health, William left the corporation and he became the acting manager of the Leigh Hippodrome when it opened in 14 December 1908.

Within the First World War, William raised a sum of £1,000 for Prisoner-of-War Comforts and during the Second World War he raised £1,200 for a war memorial which was taken from of outpatient department at Leigh Infirmary. 

In 1918 the Hippodrome company took over the Theatre Royal from the late J.W. Cragg with William being appointed as manager of both The Theatre and Hippodrome and was appointed to the board of directors in 1937. During this time many great and well known artist of the time appeared at his theatre such as Gracie Fields, Tom Burke, George Formby and many more.

William was a founder-member of the Leigh Arts Council and one of the pioneers of the Repertory movement in Lancashire. His work for the British legion also coincided with his management of the theatre as Thomas would hold charity concerts over 33 years on Armistice Day which raised over £3,000.  

William was also founder-member of the Leigh Old age Pensioners’ Association with John Joseph Tinker which helped the old and needy and provided financial help to the employees temporarily unable to work. He became famous for his generosity and allowed charities free use of his theatres. Thomas was also a member of the Leigh and Atherton Joint Sewerage Board, the Leigh Divisional Education Committee and a Governor of Leigh Girl’s Grammar School. 

In June of 1939 William was elected to Leigh Town Council as Liberal member for the St Mary’s Ward as he defeated Labour candidate and herbalist Charlie Abbott. He was later appointed Justice of the Peace in 1943 and then elected Mayor of Leigh in 1951 to 1952.

William, a man ahead of his time, during his acceptance speech he called for a reduction of atmospheric pollution. One ton of soot was falling on the town every day from the local pits and he called for better food hygiene in all markets, cafes and restaurants.

In June 1955 his political colleagues unanimously agreed to make him an Alderman of Leigh. An honour reserved for a rare few. After only three years of having such great honour he collapsed at his home in Church Street and died nine days later in Astley Hospital on 22 September 1958 at age 73.

He left a widow and a son William Arthur Woolstencroft. The people of Leigh turned in force to attend his funeral at Leigh Parish Church and the Leigh Borough Bench court stood in silence for a few moments in his honour. 

By Darren Turner

References

Biographical Cuttings – William Woolstencroft, Leigh Local Studies