PM layman, born at Dennisthorpe. A powerful pulpit orator, he is said to have been a collateral descendant of Hugh Bourne. He was an associate of and successor to Horace Mansfield MP in both church and business, manager of collieries and other businesses around Swadlincote, Derbys. In a career marked by 'practical idealism', his concern for the welfare of the colliers, and especially the unemployed, won him their respect and confidence. Among his many local and connexional offices, he was treasurer of the Local Preachers' Training Fund and joint secretary of the Million Shillings Fund.

He was elected Vice-President of the PM Conference in 1926. His Vice-Presidential addresses were published under the title From a Pilgrim's Scrip (1927) and at the Methodist Church Congress in 1929 spoke on 'The Witness of the Spirit - the Fact and its Implications'. He was treasurer of the committee which bought Mow Cop for the National Trust in 1937 and was the PM representative at the handing over of the Mow Cop deeds to the National Trust. A strong advocate of Methodist Union, in 1933 he was the second Vice-President of the newly united Church . He died at Moira Bath, Swadlincote on 5 May 1941.

Entry written by: JHL
Category: Person
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