South Yorkshire Times, May 5th 1933
After 20 Years
Mr. Illsley’s Third Term
“Bewildering” Changes
At the annual meeting of the Darfield Urban Council on Friday, Mr. T. W. Illsley, J.P., was elected chairman, and Mr. R. Randerson vice-chairman.
Accepting the honour, Mr. Illsley referred to changes in local government during the last twenty years. It had been his lot to work with nearly forty different members, five Surveyors, three Clerks. and other officials. He recalled that when he was quite young, he sat round that table with men who had grown grey in the public service. “I thought in those far off days,” said Mr. Illsley, “that I knew more than they did; and I used to regard it as one of my missions in life to put them right. Despite the ideals I have always held, I came to realise that there was something in experience, and the young and enterprising have something to learn from it.” Mr. Illsley said that since those days members had come and gone, and it was pleasant to know that the present regime were again honouring him.
Mr. Illsley referred to the new members (Messrs. S. Blackwell and W. Bly), and extended to them a hearty welcome. He hoped they would not be afraid of asserting themselves, and if they had ideals or opinions would ventilate them. The new members had come into local government when great changes were pending. Developments in local administration during the past quarter of a century had been almost bewildering. They were making their debut in circumstances affording much more encouragement than was experienced by the older members. In a way they would be gathering in the harvest of the efforts of many years. The honour was conferred on Mr. Illsley, on the motion of Mr. G. Dickinson, the retiring chairman, seconded by Ald. T. H. Foulstone. Mr. Dickinson said Illsley had held the office on two previous occasions, and had a thorough knowledge of all that a chairman should do and be. “There is no doubt,” said Mr. Dickinson, “that we can be a bit unruly at times. I hope that while he gives some latitude to the new members, he will keep a very, strong hand indeed on the old ones.” (Laughter.)
Ald. Foulstone: I hope he will keep Mr. Dickinson in order and me as well.
Mr. E. Taylor: He will have a job. (Laughter.) Moving the appointment of Mr. Randerson as vice-chairman, Mr. Illsley said he was junior only to himself in the matter of unbroken service as a member of the Council. Randerson was chairman of the Council in 1922. Accepting the appointment, Mr. Randerson mentioned that he was only one year short of the record of service established by Mr. Illsley.
Modesty
Some little difficulty was experienced in filling the committee chairmanships. Mr. W. Bly declined nomination as chairman of the Streets and Buildings Committee, observing that he would like to have some experience before taking on such a responsibility. When Mr. Blackwell declined the chairmanship of the Street Lighting Committee, Mr. Dickinson observed, “I do not wish to utter a disparaging note at the first meeting, but I almost feel inclined to do so.” Mr. Dickinson and Mr. Foulstone also declined nomination. Mr. Dickinson remarking, “I would rather let someone else get the experience.”
After You!
Mr. Foulstone moved that Mr. Dickinson be appointed chairman of the Cemetery Committee, and Mr. Dickinson sought to confer the same honour on Mr. Foulstone. Mr. Foulstone: I think it is much better for him to have the honour than me.
Mr. Dickinson: Then I withdraw. Mr. Foulstone should be chairman.
I think Mr. J. W. Camplejohn: And I will second it. They both seem to be trying to get out of it. (Laughter.) Both members insisted on withdrawing, and eventually Mr. B. Taylor. was appointed. Mr. A. Mr. Illsley declined nomination as a governor of the Wath Grammar School in favour of Mr. M. Upperdine. He said this was a position that took up a good deal of time, and he thought it was an experience from which Mr. Upperdine would gain much benefit. He wanted to see the young members taking office. At another point Mr. Foulstone remarked: “It seems as though Mr. Dickinson will not take anything.” He said he thought Mr. Dickinson ought to accept nomination as a member of the U.D.C. Federation.
The Clerk to the County Council wrote pointing out that it was necessary to reappoint members of Guardians’ Committees from May 1st. Mr. Taylor (who is the retiring member) moved that Mr. Dickinson take it on. observing, “Mr. Dickinson has the time to spare.” Mr. T. Foulstone moved Mr. S. Blackwell, who was in touch with the mining community, and it was essential that they should have a representative. In any event it was a thankless job. Mr. Blackwell was appointed.
APPOINTMENTS
The following is a full list of the chairmanships:
Streets and Buildings: Mr. M. Upperdine.
Allotments: Mr. J. Camplejohn.
Highways: Mr. R. Randerson.
Sanitary: Mr. T. W. Illsley.
Street Lighting: Mr. M. Upperdine.
Finance and Cemetery: Mr. E. Taylor.
Education and Housing: Mr. T. H. Foulstone.
General Purposes: Mr. T. W. Illsley.
The following representatives to joint authorities were appointed:
Dearne Valley Water Board: Messrs. Illsley and Taylor.
Wath Grammar School Governors: Mr. M. Upperdine.
U.D.O Federation: Messrs. Illsley and Bly.
Sheffield Town Planning Advisory Committee Mr. T. Taylor.
Guardians Committee: Mr. S. Blackwell.
Staincross Assessment Committee: Mr. R. Randerson. At a rate of 13s. 3d. (the same as last year) was adopted for the year ending March, 1934.