Sir Thomas "Tommy" Tomlinson
 
Thomas Tomlinson was born in the South Yorkshire coal mining village of Jump on the 27th January 1877, but soon relocated to nearby Brampton Bierlow, where he was living at 27 Concrete Cottages at the time of the 1881 census. My grandfather (his brother George James) was born there, on 14th May 1881, shortly after the census. The family eventually moved to Elsecar, where Thomas was to live for the rest of his life.

After several years working in the coal mines, he dedicated his life to public service, in the Miner's Union and as a councillor at both local and county level. He was elected Checkweighman by the miners, a position which he held for nearly 40 years; the duties of the checkweighman were to ensure that the miners were properly remunerated for the quantity of coal produced.

He served on the West Riding County Council for over 30 years, and was Chairman for two terms of three years each, and Vice-Chairman for one term. With particular interest in the development of education for the masses, he served on the Local Education Committee for many years, and was the first Vice-Chairman of the Governors of Ecclesfield Grammar School when it opened in 1931. He also officially opened the Lady Mabel Hall and Craft and Science Block Extensions in 1954.
Plaque in the entrance to Lady Mabel Hall
(Pity about the flash!)
 
 

"Who Was Who"

 

              Sir Thomas Tomlinson

 Kt Cr 1954  -  B.E.M. 1945  -  J.P.
 Chairman of West Riding County Council 1946-49 and 1952-55
 Vice-chairman 1950-51
 Born 27 January 1877
 Son of William and Ruth Elizabeth Tomlinson
 Married 1899 Alice Tomlinson (nee Hirst)
 One son and one daughter
 Educated Elsecar C of E School

 Commenced work at Cortonwood Colliery 1889.
 Lidgett Colliery 1892-1906.
 Earl Fitzwilliam's Hemingfield Colliery 1906-13.
 Colliery Checkweighman 1913-52 (resigned).

 Member Hoyland U.D.C. 1912-40 (Chairman 1921-23 and 1933-35)
 Miner's Branch Committee (Secretary 1910-44)
 Miner's Welfare Committee 1922-47
 Convalescent Homes Committee
 Mining Examination Board, London 1943
 Magistrate 1919
 Chairman Local Education Committee, Hoyland 1920-45
 National President Wesleyan Reform Union of Churches 1945-46
 WRCC Member 1921
 Representative to County Councils Association 1924-46

 Address :   20 Fitzwilliam Street
             Elsecar
             Nr Barnsley Yorkshire

 Telephone:  Hoyland 2221

 Died 11 February 1957

 Obituary : Times, 14 Feb 1957

 [ Extract from " Who Was Who ? "]
 
 
Sir Thomas Tomlinson was knighted at Christmas 1954
shortly after the opening of Lady Mabel Hall
 
 

While Martha told The Hours
I quote the following paragraphs from "While Martha Told The Hours", a book about life in Hoyland by ex-Ecclesfeldian Sheila Margaret Ottley, and published in 1988 by Bridge Publications, Penistone, Sheffield. By the way, "Martha" was the name of the old Hoyland Town Hall clock.
Page 10
Another Labour member for Elsecar was Councillor Thomas ("Tommy") Tomlinson, who occupied the first end-terrace house to the left as one walks or drives down Fitzwilliam Street, owned the Crown Garage (formerly a smithy) and played a leading part in the running of the Wesleyan Reform Chapel. He was elected a county councillor and, while Chairman of the West Riding County Council, received a knighthood and became Sir Thomas. In his capacity as the County Council Chairman, he attended the Queen's Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey in June 1953.
Page 242
The custom of naming streets after councillors persisted when council building was resumed after the Second World War, Mell Avenue, Eaden Crescent, and Tomlinson Road (left derelict when its 'pre-fabs' were pulled down but now partially built on again) being named after Councillor Nathaniel Mell, Councillors John and Dennis Eaden and County Councillor (later Sir Thomas) Tomlinson respectively.
Analysis
This book is of particular interest to me, as not only does it describe the locality where I was born and grew up, but it is written by a lady whose education followed a very similar path to my own, albeit separated by many years. I also attended King Street Primary School in Hoyland, followed by Ecclesfield Grammar School, but deviated from her path where she went on to Oxford and I didn't.
Return to:- A Short History of Ecclesfield School