MISS MILLICENT TURNER

[Stanley]

MISS MILLICENT TURNER ELECTED TO EARBY URBAN COUNCIL
Mr. R. Lancaster successful in Kelbrook contest
From the Craven Herald 29/11/1957
Miss Millicent Turner, of School Lane, Earby, became Earby's second ever woman Councillor when, on Saturday, she gained election to the Urban District Council as an Independent representative for East Ward. The only other was Mrs. E. C. B. Kay, who served from 1930 to 1936, and who now lives out of the district. Successful in a Kelbrook Ward by-election was Mr. Richard Lancaster, a Conservative nominee.
It was a sad day for the Labour Party. They previously held the East Ward, the casual vacancy there being caused by the death of Mr. G. Whitehead, who had a substantial majority at the May election. They might have expected to do better in Kelbrook Ward, too, than have a deficit of 131 votes; usually the result in that ward is much closer.
For Miss Turner, it was a triumph for one who, throughout, her campaign, has time and again stressed her complete "Independence." It was also adequate compensation for the disappointment of being defeated by a single vote at the May election, her victor being the present Council chairman, Mr. J. Eastwood.
She had a majority of 387, polling 619 votes against 232 by her Labour opponent, Mr. Charles Matthews.
At Kelbrook, Mr. Lancaster polled 259 votes against 128 by Mr. W. McDowell, the Labour candidate.
Miss Turner will serve until May, 1960, the unexpired portion of Mr. Whitehead's term, and Mr. Lancaster until May 1959, the unexpired period of Mr. J. N. Slater's service.
CHAIRMAN'S WELCOME.
After the count, in New Road County Junior School, the two new councillors were welcomed by Counc. J. Eastwood, the Council chairman, who observed that the poll had not been as good as the day.
The Returning Officer (Mr. J. L. Seago), and his staff, were warmly thanked, and Mr. Seago, in turn, thanked all who had made his task lighter, with a special word for the police, and "all those who offered me lifts which, today, I was unable to accept."

Politically, the result does not materially affect the position on the Council. The official Conservatives increase their representation by one, to three. There are now three Independents, two Labour and one Non-Socialist.
Transcribed from The Craven Herald 29 November 1957. Copy kindly provided by Mrs. Ada Hannam
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MISS MILLICENT TURNER NOT TO SEEK RE-ELECTION
From the Craven Herald 25/02/1966
It was with regret that Earby Urban Council, at their meeting on Wednesday, received a letter from Counc. Miss M. Turner, intimating that she would not be seeking re-election, when her term of office expires in May.
The chairman of the Council, Mr. J. Langwade, read a letter from Miss Turner, which stated:
"It is with regret I feel it necessary to write this letter. I understand that at your next meeting you will be choosing your respective chairman and vice-chairman for the coming year. As you are aware I have been told that I must reduce the amount of work I have undertaken, so regretfully I have decided not to seek re-election in May. Believe me it has not been an easy decision to make, though I realise were I to do so my return would of course depend upon the electorate.”
"However, I would like to thank all the officials, my colleagues and the staff in general, also the press for all the courtesy kindness and help I have received during the years I have served on the Council. I am also deeply indebted to all those of the public in general who have given me their support. Believe me I shall miss the work very much indeed. May I wish every success to the Council in its work in the future."

Transcribed from The Craven Herald 25 February 1966. Copy kindly provided by Mrs. Ada Hannam
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