Borough of Bedford Mayoralty of Alderman W E Sowter MBE J.P

Many of the photographs have corresponding press cuttings.

Page:

1.Photograph of W E Sowter in Mayoral robes.

2.Letters to W E Sowter from the Prime Minister's Secretary regarding the award of Member of the Order of the British Empire. June 1936

4 - 10.Election of Alderman Sowter as Mayor; cuttings from The Bedford Record. 10 Nov 1936

12.Photograph of the Mayor with Mrs James White and Mr & Mrs Gregory Whyley at All Saints Bazaar. 12 Nov 1936

14.Photograph of the Mayor laying a wreath at the War Memorial on the Embankment. 11 Nov 1936

16.Photograph of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor [A J Merry] at the War Memorial. 11 Nov 1936

24.Photograph of the Mayor speaking at the Press Ball held in the Corn Exchange. 13 Nov 1936

32-36.Invitation and letter to the Mayor from the Coronation Planting Committee. 26 Nov 1936

44.Invitation to the 'At Home' of the Mayor and Mayoress at the Corn Exchange, Bedford. 10 Dec 1936

46.Photograph of the Mayoress receiving a bouquet from the Misses Devonie and Pandora Merry, daughters of the Deputy-Mayor, at the reception at the Corn Exchange. 10 Dec 1936

48.Photograph of the W E Sowter greeting the former Mayor Alderman H R Neate at the Mayoral reception. 10 Dec 1936

50-52.Newspaper report of the Mayoral reception. 10 Dec 1936

54.Photograph the opening of the New Hall at the Electricity Works Social Club. 11 Dec 1936

57-59.Copy of Birthday Telegram to King George VI and acknowledgement from the Private Secretary to the King. 14 Dec 1936

61-63.Photographs of Mayor reading the proclamation of the accession of King George VI from the Shire Hall steps. 14 Dec 1936

65.Photograph of the Mayor reading the proclamation of the accession of King George VI on the Market Square, Bedford.14 Dec 1936

67.Photograph of Lord Luke, with the Mayor and Corporation, taking the salute at the reading of the proclamation of the accession of King George VI on the Market Square, Bedford. 14 Dec 1936

69.Proclamation of the Abdication of Edward VIII and accession of King George VI. 14 Dec 1936

70.Bedford Record front page account of proclamation. 15 Dec 1936

78.Photograph of Goldington Road School Annual Children's Tea Party. Dec 1936

80.Christmas card from the Mayor and Mayoress. Dec 1936

94.Photograph of Mrs A M Setchell, Secretary to the Women's Auxiliary League of the Licensing Trade of Bedford, presenting a bouquet to the Mayor and Mayoress at the Old Folks Tea in the Corn Exchange.12 Jan 1937

100.Photograph of children's party given by the Corporation Electricity Works Staff. 23 Jan 1937

102.Photograph of Bedford Borough Police children's party, Town Hall. Jan 1937

104.Photograph of Bedford Fire Brigade Ball, Corn Exchange. 21 Jan 1937

106.Photograph of Bedford Motor Club Fancy Dress Ball at the Dujon. 21 Jan 1937

110.Photograph of Mayor and Mayoress at a supper organised by the Harpur Central School Parents Association. 29 Jan 1937

115.Illustrated booklet on the Crown Jewels and Coronation Chair, with a menu for dinner at the Swan Hotel with after dinner speech by W E Sowter entitled 'The Preservation of the Treasures of Antiquity in Town and County'. 15 Feb 1937

120.Newspaper report of Mayor's speech, Bedfordshire Times and Independent. 19 Feb 1937

133.Booklet for the opening of Borough of Bedford Maternity & Child Welfare Centre, Barford Avenue. Official Opening by Mrs Emily Louise Martin J.P. With views of the new building. 11 Mar 1937

134-6.Newspaper cuttings of opening of new welfare centre. 12 Mar 1937

159.Booklet of the Official Opening of Silver Jubilee Council School, Acacia Road, Bedford, by Lord Luke of Pavenham K.B.E and Lieutenant of the County of Bedfordshire. Includes photographs and plan of the school. 5 Apr 1937

160.Photograph of the Mayor presenting a silver cigarette case to the Chairman of the Education Committee Alderman F A Rickard at the Opening of the Silver Jubilee Council School, Bedford. 5 Apr 1937

162.Photograph of the Mayor leaving the Silver Jubilee Council School after the Official Opening. 5 Apr 1937

164 -8.Newspaper reports on the opening of the school. 6 Apr 1937

176.Photograph of the annual dinner of the St John Ambulance Brigade at the Dujon. 22 Apr 1937

184-6.Newspaper cuttings about Bedford's celebrations for the Coronation. May 1937

188.Photograph of the Mayor, Deputy-Mayor, and Town Clerk about to enter St Paul's Church to attend a Civic Service in connection with the Coronation of King George VI. 9 May 1937

190.Photograph of Lord Luke accompanied by the High Sheriff Mr Robert Skinner and Deputy-Lieutenants, leaving the Shire Hall to attend the Civil Service at St Paul's Church in connection with the Coronation of King George VI. 9 May 1937

194.Photograph of the Mayor at a party held in Greyfriars Walk during the Coronation celebrations. May 1937

196.Invitation to the Mayor to attend the Coronation at Westminster. May 1937

198.Invitation for the Mayor of Bedford to attend the Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at Abbey Church, Westminster. May 1937

201.Ticket of admission for W E Sowter to attend the Coronation with map of Abbey Church, Westminster on the reverse. 12 May 1937

202.Photograph of Mayor in the court dress in which he attended the Coronation of King George VI.12 May 1937

203-6.Cuttings regarding the Coronation. May 1937

208.Official Programme of the Bedford Celebrations for the Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, with message from Mayor and programme of events. Photographs of Mayor and Mayoress, and Deputy-Mayor and Deputy-Mayoress, and list of Coronation Committee members. Printed by Diemer & Reynolds Ltd, Midland Road. May 1937

210.Programme of Official Forms of Service for the Coronation. May 1937

212.Bedford School Coronation Celebrations, Official List of Scholar's Contest Fair Guide and Map. Includes brief history of Bedford. 1937

214.Coronation Half-Crown container. Invitation to Fireworks Display at Longholme. 12 May 1937

216.Photograph of the Mayoress with Col. F Wilson, opening the fun fair at the Corporation Celebrations in Bedford. The Deputy-Mayor is also in the picture.12 May 1937

218-224. Newspaper cuttings regarding the Bedford celebrations for the coronation. May 1937

226.Photograph of the Mayor at a children's tea party in Allhallows Lane during the coronation celebrations. May 1937

228-238. Newspaper cuttings regarding the coronation celebrations. May 1937

240.Photograph of the Mayor and members of the council in procession at the Empire Day ceremony at Bedford School.Two copies. 24 May 1937

248.Booklet for the official opening of Bedford Public Library by Lord Luke of Pavenham. Includes order of procedure, and photographs of interior. 24 May 1937

250.Newspaper cutting from the Bedfordshire Times and Independent regarding the opening of the Public Library. 28 May 1937

259-60. Photographs of the Mayor on an trip to the Cotswolds with a party of Electricity Department staff. 12 June 1937

268.Photograph of Lady Luke laying the foundation stone of the new Girl's Modern School in Cardington Road. 24 June 1937

284.Photograph of the Mayor of Bedford at the British Legion Headquarters, Bedford, with members of the 9th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Association who had been stationed at Bedford during the FirstWorld War. 17 July 1937

292.Photograph of the Mayor and Mayoress wearing gas masks at the official opening of a model Gas Proof room at Messrs Boots Limited. 16 July 1937

300.Copy of an address by the Mayor, Chairman of the Electricity Committee, to the council on the Proposals of H M Government with regard to Electricity Distribution in Bedford. 21 July 1937

316.Photograph of the Mayor taking the Salute from a Mechanised Army Unit in St Peter's Street. Tank in the foreground. 28 Aug 1937

318. Photograph of the Mayor and other dignitaries taking the Salute from a Mechanised Army Unit in St Peter's Street. 28 Aug 1937

320.Photograph of the Mayor inspecting a tank during the visit to Bedford of a Mechanised Army Unit, with (l - r)Aldermen Stapleton and Rickard and Councillors Davison, Eeles and Harrington. 28 Aug 1937

328.Photograph of the Mayor and Mayoress greeting some of the Golden Wedding couples at the Granada Cinema, Bedford. 6 Sept 1937

336.Newspaper cutting regarding W E Sowter being re-elected as Mayor. 14 Sept 1937

338.Photograph of the Mayor presenting the Hospital Angling Cup at the Annual Competition. 14 Sept 1937

348.Photograph of the Mayor at the Exhibition of Art by the Bedford Society of Artists at the Public Library. 11 Oct 1937

364.Photograph of the Mayor playing skittles at the All Saints Church Sale of Work. 4 Nov 1937

366.Photograph of the Mayor with a party at the All Saints Church Sale of Work. 4 Nov 1937

Acc. 7797