A Man of Warwick
Alderman William Leslie Tarver - Mayor of Warwick 1964 - 65
The Man William (Bill) Leslie Tarver, was born on 18th July 1903 in Warwick and bought up in the Meadow Road area. His parents died when he was quite young and Bill was sent to live with a local builder and his family, as a result of which he not surprisingly became involved in the building trade. As a young man Bill worked in London, Birmingham and Kidderminster before settling back in Warwick and starting his own firm, William Tarver & Co, specialising in house building and renovation work. During the third quarter of 1925 Bill married Doris Evelyn Underhill in Warwick and they had one daughter. In 1934 Bill built his own house at 36 St Nicholas Church Street, and the adjoining property number 34 which he used to run his business from. He was considered a ‘wonderful employer’ by his staff and workforce and occasionally employed the three Turpin Brothers, Jackie, Dick and Randy, who were a well known local family of professional boxers. Bill became a Master Builder subsequently building many houses in Warwick, which are still scattered around the town, he undertook a refurbishment of St Nicholas Church and carried out maintenance on several properties belonging to the Warwick Castle Estate, forming close links with the Earl of Warwick and Lord Brooke both of whom he had known since a boy. Bill was elected onto the Warwick Borough Council, Central Ward in September 1950, a seat he kept throughout his political career, and became a well known figure in Warwick. He became Chairman of the Health and Housing Committee for some years supporting several developments in the town, including the Percy Estate and pensioners’ bungalows in Saltisford Gardens. He was also Chairman of the Warwick Conservative Association in 1963.
Bill retired
from his business in 1963 aged 60, standing again in the Municipal Election of
May 1964, coming top in the poll. He was unanimously
elected as Mayor of Warwick at the Town Council’s Annual Meeting in the Court
House on Wednesday 20th May 1964.
He was proposed by Alderman Guy Nelson who said “I am sure every member of the Council would like to propose Councillor
Tarver. In electing a person to hold the
office of Mayor and Chief citizen of the town we look to someone who has proved
his ability and served the town, and if he is Warwick born and bred so much the
better. During his 14 year on the
council Cllr Tarver has served on most of the committees and been Chairman of
quite a few and has proved his worth. I
suppose there is no one in Warwick who knows the town better than Cllr
Tarver. I think he will be an exceedingly popular choice. -
|
- He has a large circle of friends and his help for deserving organisations has never been asked in vain. He will I am sure be ably supported by his wife”. Addressing Mrs Tarver Alderman Nelson said “You may think the prospect a little frightening , but I can assure you after two or three functions you will find it very enjoyable being Mayoress”. “My advice to Cllr Tarver is not to try to do too much, you are a very willing horse and you will find it hard to refuse everything you are asked to do. Just do the essential things and the rest of them will fall into place. I suggest that in Cllr Tarver we have a man who will lead us through the next municipal year to Warwick’s greater prosperity”.
He was seconded by his deputy Councillor P F Vittle who said “I cannot think of anybody nicer for the office”. In response Bill pledged himself to Warwick’s future and progress on re-development and said “I hope I will uphold the traditions and high standards set by past Mayors. I can assure you I will endeavour to do so. This Council is sometimes criticised for taking so long for completing projects that they had in hand. I would like to say without any feeling of complacency through its efforts since the war, have a record of benefit to the town of which we can all be proud. I hope to see a start on the long awaited by pass and the final plans prepared for the re-development of the central area of the town. The new town map is now considerably overdue from the County Council and I hope that when it is received it will enable us to plan ahead for future development. I appeal to rate payers to look at the map when it is published to see how it affects them. Studying the map might save some heart burn later”.
During his year in office Bill was unanimously elected to the Aldermanic Bench, and he and Doris proved a popular Mayor & Mayoress attending many functions, often finding themselves wanted in several places at once, making many friends inside and outside the Borough. At the conclusion of his year, Alderman E R Bartlett proposed the vote of thanks and said, “It has been a wonderful year for Alderman Tarver and his wife, and I know the majority of the people of this town have appreciated their efforts. They have attended many different functions and they often found themselves wanted in many places at once. But I think Alderman Tarver and his wife have done their level best to serve every section of the community in the town. Seconding the proposal, Councillor Phil Nock said “Alderman Tarver has carried out his duties diligently and had made many friends in his term of office , both outside the Borough as well as inside, which was very important. He has done everything we as a council expected him to do. He has ruled us from the chair with a friendly but firm hand at council meetings. I think he has done the council and the people of Warwick proud during his term of office. I must also warmly thank Mrs Tarver, for her charm and dignity as Mayoress. I think it is quite an ordeal for women, more so than for their husbands, who have experience in public life, I think Warwick has every reason to be proud of you Mrs Tarver”.
Following local government reorganisation in 1974 Bill reverted to a Councillor and elected a member of the newly formed Warwick Town Council, successfully fighting seven subsequent elections in Central Ward topping the poll on each occasion. In addition to his Council work, Bill was a Director of Warwick Race Course and a member and former President of the local Building Federation. He was also connected to the Henry VIII and Warwick Apprentices Charities, The Warwick Society, Friends of the Central Hospital at Hatton, and a member of Warwick Court Leet. Doris died in 1979 and Bill retired from Local Government the same year after 28 years as a Councillor.
In January 1982, Warwick Council’s General Purposes Committee decided a new access road to a Barratt’s housing development on the former laundry site on the edge of St Nicholas Park, would be called William Tarver Drive in recognition of his public service to the town, and the fact he had been bought up in the adjacent Meadow Road area. A few weeks after the road naming announcement, Bill collapsed and died suddenly at this home in Warwick on Thursday 25th March 1982 aged 78. A Memorial Service was held at St Marys Church on Sunday 25th April 1982 attended by a large congregation led by the Mayor Councillor John McCarthy and members of the Town Council including friends and colleagues and a representative of the Earl of Warwick. During the service a tribute was paid to Bill by Cuthbert Brown, former Borough Surveyor and friend of Bill’s who referred to him as A Man of Warwick. The road was, as planned named after Bill and called “William Tarver Close”.
He was seconded by his deputy Councillor P F Vittle who said “I cannot think of anybody nicer for the office”. In response Bill pledged himself to Warwick’s future and progress on re-development and said “I hope I will uphold the traditions and high standards set by past Mayors. I can assure you I will endeavour to do so. This Council is sometimes criticised for taking so long for completing projects that they had in hand. I would like to say without any feeling of complacency through its efforts since the war, have a record of benefit to the town of which we can all be proud. I hope to see a start on the long awaited by pass and the final plans prepared for the re-development of the central area of the town. The new town map is now considerably overdue from the County Council and I hope that when it is received it will enable us to plan ahead for future development. I appeal to rate payers to look at the map when it is published to see how it affects them. Studying the map might save some heart burn later”.
During his year in office Bill was unanimously elected to the Aldermanic Bench, and he and Doris proved a popular Mayor & Mayoress attending many functions, often finding themselves wanted in several places at once, making many friends inside and outside the Borough. At the conclusion of his year, Alderman E R Bartlett proposed the vote of thanks and said, “It has been a wonderful year for Alderman Tarver and his wife, and I know the majority of the people of this town have appreciated their efforts. They have attended many different functions and they often found themselves wanted in many places at once. But I think Alderman Tarver and his wife have done their level best to serve every section of the community in the town. Seconding the proposal, Councillor Phil Nock said “Alderman Tarver has carried out his duties diligently and had made many friends in his term of office , both outside the Borough as well as inside, which was very important. He has done everything we as a council expected him to do. He has ruled us from the chair with a friendly but firm hand at council meetings. I think he has done the council and the people of Warwick proud during his term of office. I must also warmly thank Mrs Tarver, for her charm and dignity as Mayoress. I think it is quite an ordeal for women, more so than for their husbands, who have experience in public life, I think Warwick has every reason to be proud of you Mrs Tarver”.
Following local government reorganisation in 1974 Bill reverted to a Councillor and elected a member of the newly formed Warwick Town Council, successfully fighting seven subsequent elections in Central Ward topping the poll on each occasion. In addition to his Council work, Bill was a Director of Warwick Race Course and a member and former President of the local Building Federation. He was also connected to the Henry VIII and Warwick Apprentices Charities, The Warwick Society, Friends of the Central Hospital at Hatton, and a member of Warwick Court Leet. Doris died in 1979 and Bill retired from Local Government the same year after 28 years as a Councillor.
In January 1982, Warwick Council’s General Purposes Committee decided a new access road to a Barratt’s housing development on the former laundry site on the edge of St Nicholas Park, would be called William Tarver Drive in recognition of his public service to the town, and the fact he had been bought up in the adjacent Meadow Road area. A few weeks after the road naming announcement, Bill collapsed and died suddenly at this home in Warwick on Thursday 25th March 1982 aged 78. A Memorial Service was held at St Marys Church on Sunday 25th April 1982 attended by a large congregation led by the Mayor Councillor John McCarthy and members of the Town Council including friends and colleagues and a representative of the Earl of Warwick. During the service a tribute was paid to Bill by Cuthbert Brown, former Borough Surveyor and friend of Bill’s who referred to him as A Man of Warwick. The road was, as planned named after Bill and called “William Tarver Close”.
Tributes Paid to William Leslie Tarver
Cuthbert Brown – former Borough Surveyor - “Bill was born and bred in Warwick, his early life had its bitterness and he could have become an angry young man, but he came through it full of love for his fellow man. In his business life he was a master builder who operated from modest premises and did not aspire or allow himself to have a large building empire, but by management, enthusiasm, ability and method, succeeded. He never threw anything away and always knew where to find it. His building competitors were his friends who went to him for advice. He was a member of the local building federation and president in his turn. His staff and workforce would agree he was a wonderful employer. There could not be many farms in this part of Warwickshire where he has not left his mark. The houses he built are dotted all over the town and how proud he was when he was asked to refurbish St Nicholas Church. But he still felt the urge to give more to his fellow men and every three years entered the elections and people voted for him because they could trust him. In the council chamber everyone respected his views. He hadn’t a lot of time for politics and some of his deepest friends were on the other side of the spectrum. He was made an Alderman and Mayor in 1964, but he will be remembered most in Warwick for his Chairmanship of the Housing Committee. It is an enormous job for anybody and the schemes you see around Warwick are testimony to his Chairmanship. He was a wonderful friend and will be missed”
Paul MacMahon former Mayor of Warwick 1965-76 - “It was hard to say goodbye to Bill Tarver, my closest friend for 20 years, who died suddenly in his beloved home in Warwick. His departure takes away a person of great kindness and a true friend of the town. It means one rare person the less in our midst. He was loyal, courageous, sympathetic and generous to a fault. Basically he was a quiet and undemonstrative man until he had something to say, then it behoved me and others to listen. His knowledge of people and events with off-the-cuff stories, made him a font of information and a vital informant on the affairs of the town. His anecdotes always had an impish sense of humour through which came the depth of his love and fascination for Warwick and all its many and varied people. He knew everybody worth knowing “from a Duke to a Dustman” as Bill would say, and everybody knew him. After a long and fruitful life Bill had earned his release and how typical of him to have slipped away in this fashion. His loss is indeed a great hurt”.
The Story The Past Mayor’s Jewel awarded to William Leslie Tarver was seen on E-Bay during December 2013. It was of interest because of the fact Mayors are usually straightforward to research, their biographical information often appearing in the local press during their year in office. Additionally there were personal reasons for wanting a Past Mayor of Warwick’s Jewel. It was discovered however during the early part of the auction a colleague was also bidding for the same item! After some discussion the other bidder kindly offered to drop out. The Jewel was duly acquired and enquiries made with the Court House in Warwick. Sadly they have a policy of systematically removing Past Mayors portraits after 20 years and either storing or giving them to the family; others having been damaged in a damp cellar. After some searching however the Civic Officer located a group picture of Warwick Councillors in 1952, including William Leslie Tarver. This did not initially cause much excitement as it was assumed to be a small picture and difficult to pick out faces, however a visit to Warwick Court House on 7th April 2014 dispelled that myth. The picture was much larger than first thought, and possible to get a reasonable quality photograph of him from it. Whilst at the Court House, pictures of the Past Mayors Roll of Honour Boards were also taken, showing William Tarver’s name and civic year of office. A visit was also made to William Tarver Close in Warwick, a road named after him and a subsequent visit to Leamington Spa Library newspaper archives revealed much further detail on Bill Tarver.
Cuthbert Brown – former Borough Surveyor - “Bill was born and bred in Warwick, his early life had its bitterness and he could have become an angry young man, but he came through it full of love for his fellow man. In his business life he was a master builder who operated from modest premises and did not aspire or allow himself to have a large building empire, but by management, enthusiasm, ability and method, succeeded. He never threw anything away and always knew where to find it. His building competitors were his friends who went to him for advice. He was a member of the local building federation and president in his turn. His staff and workforce would agree he was a wonderful employer. There could not be many farms in this part of Warwickshire where he has not left his mark. The houses he built are dotted all over the town and how proud he was when he was asked to refurbish St Nicholas Church. But he still felt the urge to give more to his fellow men and every three years entered the elections and people voted for him because they could trust him. In the council chamber everyone respected his views. He hadn’t a lot of time for politics and some of his deepest friends were on the other side of the spectrum. He was made an Alderman and Mayor in 1964, but he will be remembered most in Warwick for his Chairmanship of the Housing Committee. It is an enormous job for anybody and the schemes you see around Warwick are testimony to his Chairmanship. He was a wonderful friend and will be missed”
Paul MacMahon former Mayor of Warwick 1965-76 - “It was hard to say goodbye to Bill Tarver, my closest friend for 20 years, who died suddenly in his beloved home in Warwick. His departure takes away a person of great kindness and a true friend of the town. It means one rare person the less in our midst. He was loyal, courageous, sympathetic and generous to a fault. Basically he was a quiet and undemonstrative man until he had something to say, then it behoved me and others to listen. His knowledge of people and events with off-the-cuff stories, made him a font of information and a vital informant on the affairs of the town. His anecdotes always had an impish sense of humour through which came the depth of his love and fascination for Warwick and all its many and varied people. He knew everybody worth knowing “from a Duke to a Dustman” as Bill would say, and everybody knew him. After a long and fruitful life Bill had earned his release and how typical of him to have slipped away in this fashion. His loss is indeed a great hurt”.
The Story The Past Mayor’s Jewel awarded to William Leslie Tarver was seen on E-Bay during December 2013. It was of interest because of the fact Mayors are usually straightforward to research, their biographical information often appearing in the local press during their year in office. Additionally there were personal reasons for wanting a Past Mayor of Warwick’s Jewel. It was discovered however during the early part of the auction a colleague was also bidding for the same item! After some discussion the other bidder kindly offered to drop out. The Jewel was duly acquired and enquiries made with the Court House in Warwick. Sadly they have a policy of systematically removing Past Mayors portraits after 20 years and either storing or giving them to the family; others having been damaged in a damp cellar. After some searching however the Civic Officer located a group picture of Warwick Councillors in 1952, including William Leslie Tarver. This did not initially cause much excitement as it was assumed to be a small picture and difficult to pick out faces, however a visit to Warwick Court House on 7th April 2014 dispelled that myth. The picture was much larger than first thought, and possible to get a reasonable quality photograph of him from it. Whilst at the Court House, pictures of the Past Mayors Roll of Honour Boards were also taken, showing William Tarver’s name and civic year of office. A visit was also made to William Tarver Close in Warwick, a road named after him and a subsequent visit to Leamington Spa Library newspaper archives revealed much further detail on Bill Tarver.
Past Mayor's Roll of Honour inside Court House William Leslie Tarver 1964
William Tarver Close, Warwick 7th April 2014
Warwick ARMS: Sable a Walled Town with three
Towers Argent issuing from each of the flanking Towers a demi Figure
representing a Nightwatchman respectant winding a Horn Argent habited and
capped Gules the central Tower charged with an Escutcheon Gules thereon a ragged
Staff bendwise between in chief a Mullet of six points and an Increscent
Silver. CREST: On a Wreath of the Colours a
demi Bear supporting a ragged Staff Sable. Motto 'ANTIQUUM OBTINENS' - Possessing
antiquity or Holding fast to tradition.
Granted 10th April 1964, to the Warwick Borough Council. The arms are based on the seal of the Borough, dating back to the 14th century, which was recorded at the Visitations of Warwickshire in 1619 and 1682. The design showed a walled town, within the outer wall of which appeared a gateway flanked by two towers each manned by a watchman blowing a horn. Between these towers rose two spires, and in the middle was a high tower on which hung a shield charged with a ragged staff. The flanking towers were enclosed by a six pointed star on the dexter and a crescent on the sinister. Varying versions of this design were used as the device of the Borough of Warwick up to the time when arms were granted. The crest of a demi-bear supporting a ragged staff is based on the old Warwickshire emblem of the bear and ragged staff, a description of which is to be found under Warwickshire CC. The town of Warwick was founded on the banks of the River Avon in 914 AD by Ethelfleda, sister of Edward the Elder, as a defence against the Danish invaders, on a site overlooking earlier riverside settlements. It is built on a small hill which controlled not only the river valley but also the river crossing on the road to London and the roads to Stratford, Coventry and the salt way to Droitwich. The Anglo-Saxon town was surrounded partly by a wall and partly by a ditch. The mediaeval core of the town was prevented from expansion by the open spaces that surround it: the Common and Racecourse, the grounds of the Priory, St Nicholas Meadow, the River Avon, and later, Warwick Castle. Within a relatively small area there are many buildings of historic interest, of which the Castle is the most important. This is one of the most dramatic and complete mediaeval castles in the country. It has been inhabited continuously since the Middle Ages, and was the home of the Earls of Warwick until recently. Many of the central streets of the town were destroyed by the Great Fire of 1694. The buildings which were burnt, and many which were not, were re-built in the handsome style of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. St Mary's Church, which dominates the surrounding countryside, had a new nave and tower at the same time. Several important mediaeval buildings survived the fire and can be seen to this day, notably the town's mediaeval Guildhall, now the Lord Leycester Hospital, as well as a group of timber - framed buildings around Oken's House.
Granted 10th April 1964, to the Warwick Borough Council. The arms are based on the seal of the Borough, dating back to the 14th century, which was recorded at the Visitations of Warwickshire in 1619 and 1682. The design showed a walled town, within the outer wall of which appeared a gateway flanked by two towers each manned by a watchman blowing a horn. Between these towers rose two spires, and in the middle was a high tower on which hung a shield charged with a ragged staff. The flanking towers were enclosed by a six pointed star on the dexter and a crescent on the sinister. Varying versions of this design were used as the device of the Borough of Warwick up to the time when arms were granted. The crest of a demi-bear supporting a ragged staff is based on the old Warwickshire emblem of the bear and ragged staff, a description of which is to be found under Warwickshire CC. The town of Warwick was founded on the banks of the River Avon in 914 AD by Ethelfleda, sister of Edward the Elder, as a defence against the Danish invaders, on a site overlooking earlier riverside settlements. It is built on a small hill which controlled not only the river valley but also the river crossing on the road to London and the roads to Stratford, Coventry and the salt way to Droitwich. The Anglo-Saxon town was surrounded partly by a wall and partly by a ditch. The mediaeval core of the town was prevented from expansion by the open spaces that surround it: the Common and Racecourse, the grounds of the Priory, St Nicholas Meadow, the River Avon, and later, Warwick Castle. Within a relatively small area there are many buildings of historic interest, of which the Castle is the most important. This is one of the most dramatic and complete mediaeval castles in the country. It has been inhabited continuously since the Middle Ages, and was the home of the Earls of Warwick until recently. Many of the central streets of the town were destroyed by the Great Fire of 1694. The buildings which were burnt, and many which were not, were re-built in the handsome style of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. St Mary's Church, which dominates the surrounding countryside, had a new nave and tower at the same time. Several important mediaeval buildings survived the fire and can be seen to this day, notably the town's mediaeval Guildhall, now the Lord Leycester Hospital, as well as a group of timber - framed buildings around Oken's House.
Court Leet The court leet was a historical court
baron (a manorial court) of England and Wales and Ireland that exercised the
"view of frankpledge" and its attendant police jurisdiction, which
was normally restricted to the hundred courts.
History At a very early time in medieval England the Lord of the Manor exercised or claimed certain jurisdictional rights over his tenants and bondsmen concerning the administration of his manor and exercised those rights through his court baron. However this court had no power to deal with criminal acts. Criminal jurisdiction could, however, be granted to a trusted lord by the Crown by means of an additional franchise to give him the prerogative rights he owed feudally to the king. The most important of these was the "view of frankpledge", by which tenants were held responsible for the actions of others within a grouping of ten households. In the later Middle Ages the lord, when exercising these powers, gained the name of leet which was a jurisdiction of a part of a county, hence the franchise was of court leet. The quo warranto proceedings of Edward I established a sharp distinction between the court baron, exercising strictly manorial rights, and the court leet, depending for its jurisdiction upon royal franchise. However in many areas it became customary for the two courts to meet together.
Role The court leet was a court of record, and its duty was not only to view the pledges, which were the freemen's oaths of peacekeeping and good practice in trade, but also to try by jury, and punish, all crimes committed within the jurisdiction. The most serious crimes were committed to the King's Justices. It also developed as a means of proactively ensuring that standards in such matters as sales of food and drink, and agriculture, were adhered to. The Alcester Court Leet contained the following wording:To enquire regularly and periodically into the proper condition of watercourses, roads, paths, and ditches; to guard against all manner of encroachments upon the public rights, whether by unlawful enclosure or otherwise; to preserve landmarks, to keep watch and ward in the town, and overlook the common lands, adjust the rights over them, and restraining in any case their excessive exercise, as in the pasturage of cattle; to guard against the adulteration of food, to inspect weights and measures, to look in general to the morals of the people, and to find a remedy for each social ill and inconvenience. To take cognisance of grosser crimes of assault, arson, burglary, larceny, manslaughter, murder, treason, and every felony at common law. The court generally sat only a few times each year, sometimes just annually. A matter was introduced into the court by means of a "presentment", from a local man or from the jury itself. Penalties were in the form of fines or imprisonment. The court leet began to decline in the fourteenth century, being superseded by the more modern county Justices of the Peace and ultimately magistrates' courts, but in many cases courts leet operated until nearly the middle of the nineteenth century as a form of civil administration with a similar role to borough freemen or parish vestrymen.
Current Role Courts Leet survived for formal purposes until their legal criminal jurisdiction was abolished in 1977 by section 23 of the Administration of Justice Act 1977. One exception was allowed, namely the Court Leet for the manor of Laxton, Nottinghamshire, which was allowed to keep its jurisdiction to administer and settle disputes over the open field system of farming which still operates in that area. The Act stated that "Any such court may continue to sit and transact such other business, if any, as was customary for it" and Schedule 4 to the Act specified the business which was to be considered customary, which included the taking of presentments relating to matters of local concern and in some cases the management of common land.
Warwick Court Leet Today is made up of 24 Jurors. The Bailiff is a senior member of the Court and is appointed bi-annually by the Jurors, as is the Foreman. The Town Clerk acts as Steward to the Court, and the Court appoints the following Officers; Ale Taster, Brook Looker, Pavement Looker, Surveyor of Buildings and Herald, together with Constables to represent each of the electoral Wards. These Officers are required to report their findings at each of the four Courts that take place annually in spring, summer, autumn and winter. The spring and autumn Courts are usually held on the last Thursday of March and October, and are open to members of the public. The Ale Taster organises an annual Ale Tasting at various hostelries in the Town and is accompanied on his visit by members of the Court. Should the ale in each establishment be declared fit for the townspeople to consume the Landlord is presented with a certificate to display on his premises until such time as the Ale Taster next visits. The Mayor and Town Council are now the equivalent of the “Lord of the Manor”, and it is the Court’s duty to support them at Civic functions throughout the year. Members of the Jury, and members of the public attending either of the open meetings, are still required to put forward presentments. If these are accepted by the Court the Steward is requested to submit them to the relevant local authority, be it Town, District or County Council, and they are legally obliged to respond to the Court.
History At a very early time in medieval England the Lord of the Manor exercised or claimed certain jurisdictional rights over his tenants and bondsmen concerning the administration of his manor and exercised those rights through his court baron. However this court had no power to deal with criminal acts. Criminal jurisdiction could, however, be granted to a trusted lord by the Crown by means of an additional franchise to give him the prerogative rights he owed feudally to the king. The most important of these was the "view of frankpledge", by which tenants were held responsible for the actions of others within a grouping of ten households. In the later Middle Ages the lord, when exercising these powers, gained the name of leet which was a jurisdiction of a part of a county, hence the franchise was of court leet. The quo warranto proceedings of Edward I established a sharp distinction between the court baron, exercising strictly manorial rights, and the court leet, depending for its jurisdiction upon royal franchise. However in many areas it became customary for the two courts to meet together.
Role The court leet was a court of record, and its duty was not only to view the pledges, which were the freemen's oaths of peacekeeping and good practice in trade, but also to try by jury, and punish, all crimes committed within the jurisdiction. The most serious crimes were committed to the King's Justices. It also developed as a means of proactively ensuring that standards in such matters as sales of food and drink, and agriculture, were adhered to. The Alcester Court Leet contained the following wording:To enquire regularly and periodically into the proper condition of watercourses, roads, paths, and ditches; to guard against all manner of encroachments upon the public rights, whether by unlawful enclosure or otherwise; to preserve landmarks, to keep watch and ward in the town, and overlook the common lands, adjust the rights over them, and restraining in any case their excessive exercise, as in the pasturage of cattle; to guard against the adulteration of food, to inspect weights and measures, to look in general to the morals of the people, and to find a remedy for each social ill and inconvenience. To take cognisance of grosser crimes of assault, arson, burglary, larceny, manslaughter, murder, treason, and every felony at common law. The court generally sat only a few times each year, sometimes just annually. A matter was introduced into the court by means of a "presentment", from a local man or from the jury itself. Penalties were in the form of fines or imprisonment. The court leet began to decline in the fourteenth century, being superseded by the more modern county Justices of the Peace and ultimately magistrates' courts, but in many cases courts leet operated until nearly the middle of the nineteenth century as a form of civil administration with a similar role to borough freemen or parish vestrymen.
Current Role Courts Leet survived for formal purposes until their legal criminal jurisdiction was abolished in 1977 by section 23 of the Administration of Justice Act 1977. One exception was allowed, namely the Court Leet for the manor of Laxton, Nottinghamshire, which was allowed to keep its jurisdiction to administer and settle disputes over the open field system of farming which still operates in that area. The Act stated that "Any such court may continue to sit and transact such other business, if any, as was customary for it" and Schedule 4 to the Act specified the business which was to be considered customary, which included the taking of presentments relating to matters of local concern and in some cases the management of common land.
Warwick Court Leet Today is made up of 24 Jurors. The Bailiff is a senior member of the Court and is appointed bi-annually by the Jurors, as is the Foreman. The Town Clerk acts as Steward to the Court, and the Court appoints the following Officers; Ale Taster, Brook Looker, Pavement Looker, Surveyor of Buildings and Herald, together with Constables to represent each of the electoral Wards. These Officers are required to report their findings at each of the four Courts that take place annually in spring, summer, autumn and winter. The spring and autumn Courts are usually held on the last Thursday of March and October, and are open to members of the public. The Ale Taster organises an annual Ale Tasting at various hostelries in the Town and is accompanied on his visit by members of the Court. Should the ale in each establishment be declared fit for the townspeople to consume the Landlord is presented with a certificate to display on his premises until such time as the Ale Taster next visits. The Mayor and Town Council are now the equivalent of the “Lord of the Manor”, and it is the Court’s duty to support them at Civic functions throughout the year. Members of the Jury, and members of the public attending either of the open meetings, are still required to put forward presentments. If these are accepted by the Court the Steward is requested to submit them to the relevant local authority, be it Town, District or County Council, and they are legally obliged to respond to the Court.
34 and 36 St Nicholas Church Street, Warwick. 14th May 2014
Many thanks are extended to the Civic Staff at Warwick Court House for their support in locating a photograph of Alderman Tarver
Black & White Photograph Copyright - Warwick & Warwickshire Advertiser
Jewel Details:
- Jewel: ALDERMAN WILLIAM LESLIE TARVER. 1964-65.
Page last updated 7 Apr 14