1936-1937,Peter Winstanley, Mayor of Wigan
PETER WINSTANLEY J.P.
Mayor of Wigan 1936-37
Peter was born 17th April1881. His parents were Aaron & Mary Winstanley (nee Morris). His father Aaron was a Collier and their home was at 40 Bolton Street, Wigan. He was baptised on 2nd May 1881 at Wigan All Saints.
At the time of the 1891 census, the family were still living at 40 Bolton Street where in addition to his parents, there was his older sister Margaret 12, Peter 9, Mary E. 5 & Andrew 2. His widowed aunt, Rachel and three female cousins also lived at this address.
Peter was educated St Catherine’s School and Wigan Mining & Technical College, following which, at the age of 13, he joined his father at Lindsay Pit where he began his association with the coal industry working below ground as a pit boy. He later became a haulage hand and colliery drawer
A keen trade unionist, he was at the age of 18 appointed secretary of the Lindsay Branch of the Lancashire & Cheshire Miners Federation
By the time of the 1901 census Peter, now age 19, had another three sisters and the family had relocated, they were now living at 26 Bolton Street.
In 1906 Peter married Margaret Ann Stott, a lady whose family had for some years previously been farmers in the local vicinity.
The couple by 1911 were living at 1 Elizabeth Street (off Scholfield Lane) and had their first daughter, Mary Ellen, who was aged 2.
Peter continued to work at Lindsay Pit where in 1914 he was appointed as a Check Weighman. He also became interested in local government and became an ardent worker in the Lindsay Ward at election times, in 1926 he was elected Labour Councillor for the Ward
In 1931 Lindsay Pit closed, Peter went to Alexandra Pit where he also held the role of Check Weighman.
Both he and his wife Margaret were associated with the Greenough Street Independent Methodist Church where Peter had held office. He also served on a number of important committees of the Corporation which included Sewage Disposal, Markets, Parks and Cemeteries and became chairman of the Electricity Committee in 1933.
Peter served as Deputy Mayor for 1935, the Silver Jubilee year of King George V, in November of 1936 he was elected to serve as the 690th Mayor of Wigan.
At the time of his election it was anticipated that he would be the serving Mayor for the forthcoming Coronation of King Edward VIII, an event which would not take place. Small consolation is that there is a newspaper report of him playing and winning a challenge bowls match against an 84 year old competitor during his year of office.
After relinquishing the post of Mayor, Peter continued to represent the Lindsay Ward and to serve on the Council where he had various involvements.
He became, following nationalisation of electricity undertakings, a member of the North West Electricity Consultative Council.
He was a Governor of Wigan and District Mining and Technical College, also on the Governing Body of Secondary Schools for Boys in the Borough and a manager of St. Catherine’s and St. Stephen’s Primary Schools.
He also continued to serve on committees such as Watch, Education, Transport, and Haigh Hall
Peter was appointed an Alderman in February 1949 filling the vacancy caused by the death of Alderman F. J. Pagett, who was at the time also leader of the Labour Party in the Council. Peter being deputy leader also became acting leader of the Labour Party in the Council.
It was seven weeks later and after just two days of ailing that on the eve of his 68th. birthday Peter died at home,
He lived with his wife Margaret Ann at 130 Platt Lane, Wigan. He had two daughters.
Margaret (the ex Mayoress) continued to live at this address until she died on
7th March 1963.
The couple are buried together at Wigan Cemetery.
Sources
Ancestry – Baptisms, Wigan 1813 – 1911
Ancestry – 1891 Census – Wigan, Lancashire.
Ancestry – 1901 Census – Wigan, Lancashire.
Ancestry – Free BMD Marriage Index, Wigan, Lancashire 1837 – 1915.
Ancestry – 1911 Census – Wigan, Lancashire.
Wigan Biographical Cuttings Book 4 page110
Wigan Observer 7th November 1936 page 6 a,b,c.
Wigan Almanac 1936
Wigan Observer 11th September 1937 page 4 e.
Wigan Observer 19th April 1949 page 2 c.
Wigan Examiner 19th April 1949 page 2 e.
Wigan Examiner 22nd. April 1949 page 2 e.
Wigan Observer 23rd. April 1949 page 7 c.
Ancestry – Deaths Index 1916 – 2007
Wigan World - Cemetery’ Index.
Vic Rawlinson
1 item was found within 1936-1937,Peter Winstanley, Mayor of Wigan
