Rushden’s New Mayor

Mr. John Spencer

For some years Mr. Spencer was an Overseer of the Parish of Rushden. He has been the chairman of the Rushden and Higham Ferrers branch of the Independent Labour Party since its formation. He hold the long service diploma of the Sunday School Union and also the long service diploma of the Band of Hope Union.

One of the first students at the technical class in boot and shoe manufacture at Higham Ferrers, he obtained a first class certificate besides the second prize in the ordinary grade, the £2 Cordwainers’ prize, and the £1 County Council prize.

Mr. Spencer was married 29 years ago, in the Gold-street Wesleyan Church, Northampton, to Miss Emma Elson, daughter of the late Mr. William Elson, furniture dealer, Pemberton-road, Northampton.

The Rushden Echo and Argus, 29th April, 1932, transcribed by Gill Hollis

The election of Mr. John Spencer, J.P., to the vice-chair of the Rushden Urban Council, will, as was remarked at the meeting on Wednesday night, be popular in the town.

He was a member of the old Rushden School Board, to which he was elected in 1891, while he served on the first Urban Council, when that body was constituted in 1894. He then retired for a period, but for over twenty years past he has always been returned to the Council during which time he has twice been chairman, and twice vice-chairman. At one time he was also chairman of the Water Board.

Mr. Spencer has always been a stalwart supporter of the Labour Party and for many years he has been the leader of the local Socialists. He was the first president of the East Northants Labour Party, and until this year occupied the position of president of the Rushden Labour Party and Trades Council. He was, of course, the first Labour member of the Rushden Urban Council.

Many years ago Mr. Spencer was president and also secretary of the Rushden No. 2 Branch of the Boot Operatives’ Union. He is still an active member of the Rushden Industrial Co-operative Society.

Mr. Spencer was made a Justice of the Peace in 1918.

Mention must be made of that aspect of Mr. Spencer’s work, which he himself considers to be of paramount importance. For over 50 years he has been engaged in Sunday School teaching and is this year the president of the Rushden, Thrapston and District Sunday School Union. He is the superintendent of the Wellingborough-road Mission Church Sunday School, and also holds the position of Society Steward.

In his many activities, Mr. Spencer has always been a popular and prominent figure in the town and all will unite in extending congratulations to him on being appointed vice-chairman for another year.