H.J.Midwinter -some more notes.

Was made Mayor in 1887, having been elected to the Borough Council in 1879. He was a very keen churchman and determined to take his principles into the new job possibly to the horror of he councill. He served on the Council for about 25 or 30 years and apparently retired in order that he should not be made Aiderman, an honour with which he did not agree.

He was a magistrate for over 30 years and was indeed for some time the senior member of the Bench.

One of his first decisions was to cancel the annual Civic Breakfast and to instead give a dinner to '260'poor people to be held in the Mansion House. This was widely reported in the NWN, and took place on Boxing Day.

He was an Eider of the Congregational Church in Newbury and was concerned in the running of the City Sunday school ( sometimes referred to as the City Mission).

We do not know the dates of this, but it was started by Joseph Hopson from the Cong. and RIM was its Superintendant for 48 years. it seems to have met in the Old Lancastrian School.

In business as a Corn Merchant he was widelyrenowned for fair dealing ,trusted by farmers, but by some stated to have too rigid principles from whichhe would not be moved. He regularly attended the Markets at the Corn Exchange at Mark Lane in London.

Whilst Mayor he instituted the Hospital Saturday collections, and many people were collectors for this, the proceeds  going to Newbuty District Hospital and Dispensary, and to Speen Hospital (where was this?)
His and the Family's religious feelings were no doubt the reason that One of his brothers became a missionary in Southern India (Edwin) commemorated but of course not buried in NRC.

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