Though the appointment of Mr. William Lewis Beetenson as whole-time Clerk marks an important change in the administrative system of the Rushden Urban District Council, the reorganisation is simplified by the fact that for many years Mr. Beetenson has been in the closest touch with the Council's affairs. As right-hand man to Mr. George S. Mason, the only Clerk in the 39 years' history of the Council, Mr. Beetenson is a natural successor, and has for a long time handled the civic clerical business in every detail.
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Mr. Beetenson
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The new Clerk is a native of Stoke-on-Trent, and as a boy went to Wellingborough, receiving his education at Wellingborough School. It was in 1901 that he came to Rushden and entered the office of Messrs. Simpson and Mason, solicitors, where under the kindly influence of Mr. Mason he had every opportunity to master the points of local government work. For many years his chief duties at the office were in connection with Mr. Mason's appointments as Clerk to the Council and Clerk to the Higham Ferrers and Rushden Water Board. A few years ago he assumed definite office as Assistant Clerk, and on July 12th last year, when it was realised that illness would prevent Mr. Mason's attendance at the meetings, the Council established him as Acting Clerk.
Under the new arrangement Mr. Beetenson will leave the service of Messrs. Simpson and Mason and conduct his work at the Council Buildings. He will also relinquish many offices in which his professional knowledge has been of great value.
Mr. Beetenson was one of the founders and the first secretary of the Rushden Town Bowling Club when it was established in Kimbolton-road, and is secretary of the associated company. He has been Clerk to the Podington Parish Council for 21 years (a post he will now retire from), and secretary to the Rushden Library Committee, the Parochial Charity Trustees and the Trustees of the Cottage Hospital. At one time he was chairman of directors of the Rushden Conservative Club.
Though he has not time for many hobbies, Mr. Beetenson finds pleasure as a supporter of all kinds of sport, particularly football, boxing and cricket.
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