Alfred H Turner

ALFRED H TURNER:

 

Eccles and Patricroft Journal 25th June 1926 Page 10 Column 4

 

New Magistrate for Irlam

 

Mr Alfred H Turner was Chairman of the Urban District Council who had been appointed a County Justice of the Peace, and had a fine record of public service.

 

Born in Bolton le Moors on March 28th 1862, Mr Turner began work as a half timer in a cotton mill at the early age of 9 years old,and followed the occupation of a weaver until 1880.

 

In the following year he went to a Preston Mill and from 1885 to 1895 was employed as a designer,when he came to the C.W.S. works at Irlam.

 

For two years Mr Turner was a member of the Preston Branch of the Fabian Society and helped to found the Independent Labour Party at Bradford in 1893. Along with five others,one of whom was Mr J Penny a Director of the C.W.S.

Mr Turner also founded the Preston Branch of the I.L.P.

 

On moving to Irlam,he joined the Eccles branch and assisted in the candidature of the first Labour Candidates for Eccles Town Centre.

 

He founded the Irlam and Cadishead branch of the party and twice sat on the directorate of the Eccles Co-operative Society,a period of nine years in all.With the exception of a short break,he had been a member of the Irlam District Council since 1901,while from 1919 to 1922 he represented the district of the Lancashire County Council.

 

He was defeated in the latter year,but in 1921 succeeded in gaining re-election.

 

He was a member of the County Education and Parliamentary Committee.In 1922 he fought for Stretford Division in the interests of Labour and at one time was a Vice President of the Eccles Labour Party.

 

He had been actively associated with the Irlam Parish Church for a number of years and he held all offices open to laymen.

 

He represented the Manchester Diocese at the "Copeo" conference at Birmingham,and was a strong supporter of the Christian Fellowship Movement.

 

At the monthly meeting of the District Council on Tuesday June 1926 ,the members passed a resolution congratulating him upon the appointment.

 

In moving the resolution, Mr Melville said the honour had come after many years public work,Mr Melia,seconding said there was no doubt that Mr Turner deserved the honour.

 

They knew he would dispense justice with mercy and be an asset both to the Bench and the District.

 

In responding ,Mr Turner said he was extremely grateful to the Council for their resolution of recommendation which undoubtedly had the effect of obtaining the commision.

 

It was not only an honour but it gave a considerable scope for service and that he always valued.

 

Eccles and Patricroft Journal 25th January 1929.

 

ALFRED HARTLEY TURNER.

 

Mr. Turner had only been ill since Saturday and died the following Wednesday after an attack of Bronchitis and 'flu.

 

He was on the Bench of Manchester County Police Court two days the previous week, attended a Council Meeting at Irlam on the Tuesday evening and worked until Friday.

 

Three of his pet schemes have just reached fruition - One was the building erected on the Higher Irlam estate for recreation puposes and which was to have been officially opened tomorrow (Saturday). The other two were the Child Welfare at Irlam Hall, to be opened on the 30th instant, and the new Central School, Irlam, to be used for the first time on the 4th February.

 

Mr. Turner was an active member of the local area Education Committee, and past Chairman. He was Chairman of the Irlam Central School Managers, on the Board of Governors for Urmston Grammar School, Manager of other schools in Irlam and Cadishead. He was a member of the Lancashire County Council. He served on the County Committee at Preston on education, scholarship, Parliamentary School Medical and Child Welfare, and was a member of the sub-committee of Biddulph Orthopedic Clinic in Staffordshire.

 

The funeral takes place today (Friday) and will be attended by members and officials of Irlam District Council, representatives of the County Council and other organisations with which Mr. Turner was connected. The cortège leaves his house shortly before 1 o'clock, the service is in the Parish Church and internment in the afternoon at St. Andrew's Church, Bleak Lane, Radcliffe.

 

In the 1911 census.

 

Alfred 49, was married to Sarah Alice who was 50 and they had been married for 21 years.

 

Sarah was born in Radcliffe and Alfred in Bolton le Moors.

 

Alfred at that time was listed as a Forwarding Clerk.

 

They had four daughters.

 

Jessie who was 18,single and an apprentice confectioner who was born in Preston.

 

Alice who was 17,single and an apprentice dressmaker who was born in Preston.

 

Enid who was 14 and a packer of flour,sugar and c? and was born in Radcliffe.

 

Rachel who was 9,at school and was born in Irlam.

 

The address they lived at was 310 Liverpool Rd,Irlam.Which would be opposite the recently demolished police station if the numbers have not altered.

 

The History of Education

Book 3 by Cyril Wheaton

 

Page 3 IRLAM CENTRAL COUNCIL SCHOOL

 

At a local council meeting held in December 1927, Councillor Alfred H. Turner announced that a contract had been made with a Salford Building Contractor for the building of a new Council school adjoining the Council Offices, a number were in favour of calling it Irlam Central School, the meeting decided to leave the naming for a later date. On 4th January 1929 it was opened as Irlam Central Mixed Council School.shortened to Irlam Central Council School.

 

In 1960 with the joining of Irlam and Cadishead Senior Schools, the name was changed to Alfred Turner School.

 

Irlam High School came into existence on 1st September 1974.

Done