Councillor Michael William Preston Mayor of Hinckley and Bosworth 1979-80
The Man Michael William Preston (Mike) was born on 8th February 1932 Son of Walter John, a Haulier and Smallholder and May Florence nee Wildman in Market Bosworth, Leicestershire.
By 1939 Register the family were living at 13 Dragon Lane, Newbold Verdon and both Walter and Florence were members of the local Air Raid Precautions, Florence also in the Women’s Voluntary Service.
During the third quarter of 1956 aged 24 Mike married Avril May Richardson in Market Bosworth
Mike became interested in local politics and in about 1959 was elected to the Market Bosworth Rural District Council which h existed from 1894 to 1974. It was named after Market Bosworth and created under the Local Government Act 1894, based on the Market Bosworth rural sanitary district and that part of the Atherstone rural sanitary district which was in Leicestershire. The parish of Higham on the Hill was added in 1936, from the Hinckley Rural District, which had been abolished under a County Review Order.
He was also a member of Newbold Verdon Parish Council for many years, serving as Chairman for more than 15 years. In 1974 under the local government reorganisation act, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council was created by merging Hinckley Urban District and Market Bosworth Rural District less Ibstock. It was originally to be known as Bosworth, but the council changed its name on 20 November 1973, before it came into its powers. It was granted borough status in 1974.
By 1939 Register the family were living at 13 Dragon Lane, Newbold Verdon and both Walter and Florence were members of the local Air Raid Precautions, Florence also in the Women’s Voluntary Service.
During the third quarter of 1956 aged 24 Mike married Avril May Richardson in Market Bosworth
Mike became interested in local politics and in about 1959 was elected to the Market Bosworth Rural District Council which h existed from 1894 to 1974. It was named after Market Bosworth and created under the Local Government Act 1894, based on the Market Bosworth rural sanitary district and that part of the Atherstone rural sanitary district which was in Leicestershire. The parish of Higham on the Hill was added in 1936, from the Hinckley Rural District, which had been abolished under a County Review Order.
He was also a member of Newbold Verdon Parish Council for many years, serving as Chairman for more than 15 years. In 1974 under the local government reorganisation act, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council was created by merging Hinckley Urban District and Market Bosworth Rural District less Ibstock. It was originally to be known as Bosworth, but the council changed its name on 20 November 1973, before it came into its powers. It was granted borough status in 1974.
Michael Preston's Past Mayor and President's jewels
Mike, who was also a keen Rotarian was elected to the Borough Council in 1977, as a Conservative Councillor representing Newbold Verdon Ward for 10 years. During the Municipal Year of 1979-80 he was elected as Mayor of The Borough of Hinckley and Bosworth. He also became President of Market Bosworth of Rotary Club in 1984-85.
In later life Mike and Avril lived at 20, Main Street, Newbold Verdon and Avril died in 1999 aged just 62 and 19 years later on 7th November 2018, aged 86, Mike passed away. Friend, Newbold Verdon parish councillor and former Borough Councillor Joyce Crooks paid tribute to him
“Mike was very well respected and I always had great respect for his love of the village and his dedication to all things Newbold Verdon. He was a conscientious chairman and as Mayor he carried out his duties with great dignity and charm. Mike will be very sadly missed and the parish council will look in the future to dedicating a memorial to remember the years of service Mike gave to the village.”
Mike’s funeral service took place at St. James' Church, Newbold Verdon, on Tuesday December 4 at 12 noon. Family flowers only were requested and donations in memory of Mike, made to St. James' PCC. A plaque was installed in the Memorial Gardens during 2021 but no dedication was held due to Covid.
In later life Mike and Avril lived at 20, Main Street, Newbold Verdon and Avril died in 1999 aged just 62 and 19 years later on 7th November 2018, aged 86, Mike passed away. Friend, Newbold Verdon parish councillor and former Borough Councillor Joyce Crooks paid tribute to him
“Mike was very well respected and I always had great respect for his love of the village and his dedication to all things Newbold Verdon. He was a conscientious chairman and as Mayor he carried out his duties with great dignity and charm. Mike will be very sadly missed and the parish council will look in the future to dedicating a memorial to remember the years of service Mike gave to the village.”
Mike’s funeral service took place at St. James' Church, Newbold Verdon, on Tuesday December 4 at 12 noon. Family flowers only were requested and donations in memory of Mike, made to St. James' PCC. A plaque was installed in the Memorial Gardens during 2021 but no dedication was held due to Covid.
Reverse of Jewels
The Story The Past Mayor’s Jewel presented to Michael William Preston was acquired from E-Bay on 13th August 2022 and of immediate interest because of the reasonable price and locality of Hinckley. A further search of the vendors items revealed Mike’s past president of Market Bosworth Rotary Club Jewel also on offer.
Following some negotiation, both items were acquired and google revealed an immediate hit of Mike’s obituary including an excellent picture of him as Mayor in 1979-80.
The obituaries, coupled with Ancestry.UK enabled a reasonable biography to be completed and to remember a man who served his local community so ably for so long.
Following some negotiation, both items were acquired and google revealed an immediate hit of Mike’s obituary including an excellent picture of him as Mayor in 1979-80.
The obituaries, coupled with Ancestry.UK enabled a reasonable biography to be completed and to remember a man who served his local community so ably for so long.
Medal Details
- Past Mayor's Jewel: COUNCILLOR M.W. PRESTON MAYOR 1979-80
- Rotary Past President's Jewel: MICHAEL PRESTON 1984-85
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This page last updated 3 Oct 22
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