Rushden Research Group: Mr Owen Parker M.P.

Mr Owen Parker, Mayor & M.P.

This fine photograph of their president, Owen Parker, C.B.E., had a label affixed to the frame:

Presented by the Northamptonshire Boot &
Shoe Students’ Association
President - 1906-1929

(Probably given to the Boot & Shoe School)

Owen Parker was also a governor of the school.

The News, Friday, November 8th 1906

Councillor Owen Parker, J.P.
To be Mayor of Higham Ferrers for the fourth time.
A Popular Townsman
At a meeting of the Higham Ferrers Town Council in committee on Saturday evening, Councillor Owen Parker. J.P., was agreed upon for election as Mayor for the ensuing year. The election takes place on Saturday.

Three times Mayor of the borough, Mr. Parker has done more for the place of his adoption than most men for the town of their birth, and has a genuine love for the delightful and old-world town.

Mr. Parker is the son of the late Alderman Charles Parker, and was born at Northampton in 1860, receiving his education at Chichele Grammar School, Higham Ferrers. Here he doubtless had instilled into him those high and lofty principles which have ever actuated his life. He entered the Town Council in 1897, and was elected Mayor the game year. So well did he carry out his duties that he was re-elected the following year to this important office. In the Coronation year of the King he was for a third time elected Mayor, and represented the borough at the Coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey.

On the recommendation of the Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, Earl Spencer. K.G., Mr. Parker was the same year placed upon his Majesty's Commission of the Peace for the county.

He has continuously held the position of chairman of the Finance Committee of the Corporation, and was, for twelve years chairman of the School Board, retiring in 1898. Mr. Parker, for his well-known interest in educational work, was elected first chairman and manager of the Council Schools when the Act of 1902 came into operation. He resigned the chairmanship the following year, but still continues one of the representative managers. Councillor Parker has been vice-chairman of the Higham Ferrers and Rushden Water Board since its formation four years ago, and has recently been elected its' chairman.

He is a staunch Churchman, and has filled the office of churchwarden for some considerable time, and has taken much interest in the cause of technical education. Mr. Parker is head of the business of Mr. Charles Parker, shoe manufacturer, which was some time ago amalgamated with the firm of Messrs. Walker, Kempson, and Stevens, Ltd., Leicester. Both in business and private life, Mr. Parker is kindness and consideration itself, and all who require his assistance are sure of a courteous and patient hearing.

Extract: Northamptonshire Contemporary Biographies, by W T Pike, 1908

Owen Parker

Owen Parker—J.P., Ivy House, Higham Ferrers; son of the late Alderman Charles Parker, of Higham Ferrers; born at Northampton, August 21st, 1860; educated at Chichele Grammar School. Managing Director of Walker Kempson and Stevens, Ltd., boot and shoe manufacturers; of Leicester and Higham Ferrers; President of the Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Students' Association; Mayor of Higham Ferrers, 1897-98, 1898-99, 1901-02, and 1907-08; Justice of the Peace for the county and member of the Higham Ferrers Corporation since 1897; Chairman of the Higham Ferrers and Rushden Water Board; Director of the Rushden and Higham Ferrers Gas Company; Churchwarden of the Parish Church; Trustee of Newman's Charity, of the Recreation Ground, and one of the Municipal Charity Trustees; Past Master of the Wentworth Lodge of Freemasons, No. 737, and one of the founders of the Hatton Lodge, No. 3041; P.P.G. Warden for the Province of Northants and Hunts. Married, in 1887, Kate, daughter of the late George Frederick Packwood, of Rushden. Club: Northamptonshire County.

Rushden Argus, 27th July 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins

Bowls—A bowls match was played on Saturday last between the Kettering and Rushden Managers’ and Foremen’s Societies on the private green of Ald. Owen Parker, J.P., Higham Ferrers, and ended in favour of Kettering by 82 to 72. Tea was provided by Mr. Parker.

Rushden Echo, 17th November 1922, transcribed by Kay Collins

Mr Owen Parker, M.P., at Home
Enthusiastic Reception at Higham Ferrers
Greeted by the Whole of the Townsfolk
Flags and bunting, a merry peal of church bells, the Wesleyan Silver Band, and the whole townspeople to greet him. Such was the reception offered to-day by the people of Higham Ferrers to their new M.P. resident, the first in the whole history of the ancient Borough to be accorded the honour of being asked to speak a people’s voice in Parliament. The town’s business was suspended very largely so that a large concourse could go out to the far end of the town to await the arrival of Mr Owen Parker, C.B.E., M.P.

As the cars (eleven in number) were sighted two rockets were fired from the Windmill Banks by Sec. Officer Twelvetree, of the Higham Ferrers Fire brigade (in the unavoidable absence of Capt, A Sudborough). At the Walnut Tree the Wesleyan Silver Band was waiting. The band led the escort slowly to the Market Square, playing gaily along the crowded route. People waved hats and hands frantically and cheered themselves hoarse in their endeavours to out-do each other in showing their warm affection to the man who has done untold service for the public, to be rewarded in so worthy a manner.

On the Market Square were assembled as many people as there was standing-room for! His Worship the Mayor (Mr Frank Walker, J.P.), wearing the chain of office, the Mayoress (Mrs Walker), the Deputy Mayor (Mr W W Chamberlain), the Deputy Mayor (Mr W Pettit, in official dress), and several prominent residents formed a group near the Cross, and, the cars passing in a semi-circle, Mr Parker’s car drew up nearby and an opening was made by the crowd, through which Mr and Mrs Parker walked to the Mayor, who greeted both with a hearty handshake and sincere congratulations. Meantime the cheering was almost deafening.

The Mayor’s Welcome
Standing on the base of the Cross, Mr Walker said: As mayor of this borough, I have very great pleasure in welcoming home one of our citizens who has come through a most strenuous fight and has won a magnificent victory for his party. It may seem peculiar to some of you that I, as a member of the labour party, should be offering the welcome I am, but i think I am broadminded enough to recognise and to pay tribute to merit, from whatever source it comes. (Applause) This is the first time in this ancient borough’s history that we have had a citizen who is an M.P. I am sure I hope that Mr parker will enjoy good health as long as he holds the position, and I offer him on your behalf and mine a very heart welcome. (Loud applause)

Mr Parker’s Reply
Mr Parker replied: Mr Mayor and dear friends.—This welcome home is a great surprise to my wife and myself. I need hardly tell you it is very touching. It is touching because, as the Mayor has indicated, it is personal rather than political. (Hear,hear) This is not the moment for me to discuss with you or with anyone else the cause for which I stood, and the cause for which i am glad I triumphed. It is a delight to feel, after living one’s whole life in this town, that in the moment of triumph you can greet one with a welcome like this. (Applause) Neither my wife nor I am ever likely to forget it. It will spur us on to greater effort than ever in the cause of those amongst whom we live. Any service I can render in this division, as I hope to render in the division which i have the honour to represent, I shall render with the greatest thankfulness and goodwill. I won’t trust myself to say more. This is a great occasion, and personally I feel the responsibility which a large part of this county has entrusted to me. So long as life and health last I shall endeavour to discharge those responsibilities faithfully, and I shall always feel whatever happens in troublesome times, and also when the clouds are clear, I shall have support and goodwill amongst you, my friends. (Loud applause)

Mr and Mrs Parker were literally “mobbed” with friendly demonstrations as they endeavoured to return to their car.

Mrs T Patenall, M.B.E., handed Mrs Parker a bouquet of yellow chrysanthemums. Mrs Parker had had another beautiful bouquet from another donor.

The crowd, led by the band, accorded musical honour to their great citizens.

The band played the National Anthem as the cars drove off.

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