ALDERMAN JAMES EVANS J.P. LORD MAYOR - CITY OF STOKE ON TRENT 1966-1967

ALDERMAN JAMES EVANS J.P. LORD MAYOR - CITY OF STOKE ON TRENT

1966-1967

Born in Burslem in 1904, second of eight children - Son and grandson of miners.

Left school at 13.  Entered Coal mining industry.  Went underground at 14 years of age.  Worked at every job from: Pony Driver, Door Trapper, Haulage Hand, Coal Face and Charge Hand official.

At age of 18 became interested in Trade Union activities and realised the need to improve my education.  Attended Wedgwood Institute, Burslem, studying English and Mathematics.  Gained 2 first class certificates in each subject.  At same time joined the political wing of the Trade Union Movement and became active in the Labour Movement.

At age of 21 was elected as collector and canvesser for my trade union.  Appointed to Branch Committee at 22 years of age and over next 21 years filled every office in the Sneyd Branch of the N.U.M. (Chairman, Secretary and Delegate.

For 12 years was member of the North Staffs Miners District Council.  Also served on the Executive Committee of the Midland Miners Federation and attended annual conferences.  Served on the Miners' Welfare Committee, Welfare Management Committee and acted as auditor of branch accounts.

During the war was joint chairman of Pit Production Committee.  Represented miners on the North Staffs Trade Council.

In 1945 was a founder member of the newly formed Ward 4 Labour Party, becoming secretary, a position I retained until 1950.  President from 1950 to 1964.  Now treasurer and also treasurer of Ward 3 Labour Party .  Member of Stoke on Trent (North) Constituency Labour Party Executive Committee.  Vice Chairman and Chairman for past 2 years.  Election agent for the Stoke on Trent (North) Labour Candidate at the recent General Election.

Attended mining classes in the evenings at Tunstall Technical School and Stoke as a colliery official in 1939.  Following a serious accident in 1947 was appointed colliery official and immediately became a member of another trade union: N.A.C.O.D.S., also retaining membership of N.U.M.   Was appointed a member  of the District Committee of N.A.C.O.D.S.  

Was elected to the City Council in 1947 and served on the Gas, Airport, Sewage, Reconstruction, Water, Fire Services and Libraries Committee.  Served 5 years as Chairman of Libraries and am currently Vice Chairman.

Also the City's representative on the Libraries and Museums Committee of the Association of Municipal Corporation.

In 1952 became chairman of the newly formed Ward 4 Old People's Annual Party, organising committee raising funds to provide T.V. sets for Hospitals and Old People's Homes in the north of the City.  26 T.V.'s provided to date.

Appointed Magistrate in 1953.  First working miner to be so appointed in the City, sitting at Burslem and Hanley Benches.

Member of the local Licensing and Betting Bench of Magistrates.

Chairman of Compensation Committee of Licensing Bench.  Member of Magistrates Courts and General Purposes Committee.

Married to a miner's daughter - Burslem  girl.  7 children - 4 sons and 3 daughters.  11 grandchildren.

Invalided out of Mining Industry in 1957 100% Disability Pneumoconiosis.