Alderman James Herbert Dawson JP, FRSA |
Research by Margaret Race (nee Dawson)
Granddaughter of Alderman Dawson |
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James Herbert Dawson was born on 27 November 1867 in Hulme, Manchester. He died on 22 March 1963 at his home, Stanner Bank, Inner Promenade, Fairhaven, Lytham St Annes. His father was James Dawson, born in 1825, also in Hulme. James Dawson senior married twice; his first wife died having borne him two children. His second marriage was to Grace Hodgson, born in Manchester on 12 October 1833. The ceremony took place in Manchester on 19 April 1862. James Herbert Dawson was the fifth of seven children, born to Grace, who survived past infancy (a boy and a girl both died).
He married Mary Ann "Lillie" Bloxham at Pershore Abbey on 1 February 1893. She was born in October 1869 in Stock Green, near Pershore, Worcestershire. It had been a whirlwind romance. The story goes that they were introduced at the wedding of her cousin on 1
April, met again the next day and got engaged on 3 April! This was quoted in the Lytham St Annes Express in 1940, a cutting when their son, Edwyn, became engaged. They were together for 62 years until she died in 1955. They had four children, three boys and a girl. Frank was the eldest, then Douglas, who trained as an artist and went to Art College in Manchester with L S Lowry, his daughter, Dorothy, and finally his youngest son, Edwyn, my father. Douglas remained in contact with Lowry and they often met for coffee in Manchester when they were both elderly.(1)
Working Life
James Herbert Dawson began his working life as an insurance agent but when his father became ill he took over the running of the family drapery business. (1) The 1881 census describes James Dawson Snr as a Draper and Undertaker, living at 158 Stretford Road, Manchester. JHD was described as a student living with his uncle, Fielden Dawson, at 27 Tomlinson Street.
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JHD is pictured on a brass matchbox advertising his business, describing himself as a Hatter, operating from premises at 152 Stretford Road.
He later became an Estate Agent, Valuer and Builder. Dawson and Vowles Estate Agency was formed on 7 October 1904, a partnership between JHD and William John Vowles. Their address was 38 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, certainly later if not initially. In the early 1900s JHD built a very large 7-storey building, Old Colony House, in the centre of the city on South King Street, Manchester, M2 6DQ, just off Deansgate. It was built of Portland Stone with black granite bases. In the advertising booklet it was described as being built for 'James H Dawson Esqr JP'. Shops occupied the ground floor and basement, whilst the six floors above provided office space for businesses. One of those businesses was Baird and Dawson, Advertising Agents and Consultants, which belonged to his son, Douglas. The agent named for enquiries about the building was his eldest son, H Frank Dawson, of 5 High Lane, Chorlton-cum-Hardy. (2) |
Around 1909 Dawson and Vowles built several shops and a few houses in a small area around Darley Avenue, the site of the former Darley Hall in Old Trafford. They then embarked on a project to build an estate, a Garden City called 'Chorltonville', which was built on the south side of Chorlton-cum-Hardy, approximately 4 miles south west of Manchester city centre. For this venture Dawson and Vowles teamed up with Thomas Whiteley, an Australian builder, who was married to JHD’s sister, Edie, and the company Chorltonville Ltd was formed.
Following the ideals of the Garden Village Movement, it was built to offer healthy housing to slum dwellers in the Hulme and Chorlton-on-Medlock districts of Manchester. Welwyn Garden City had already been built, as had Port Sunlight, which JHD visited. Lord Leverhulme showed him around and, whilst looking inside one of the houses, proudly pointed out the feature of a sunken bath in front of the fireplace, obviously designed to enable the occupants to enjoy a nice warm bath. However, when Lord Leverhulme lifted the lid to show JHD the bath they discovered that it had been filled with coal. (1)
Following the ideals of the Garden Village Movement, it was built to offer healthy housing to slum dwellers in the Hulme and Chorlton-on-Medlock districts of Manchester. Welwyn Garden City had already been built, as had Port Sunlight, which JHD visited. Lord Leverhulme showed him around and, whilst looking inside one of the houses, proudly pointed out the feature of a sunken bath in front of the fireplace, obviously designed to enable the occupants to enjoy a nice warm bath. However, when Lord Leverhulme lifted the lid to show JHD the bath they discovered that it had been filled with coal. (1)
The Estate was officially opened on 7 October 1911; it comprised 258 houses and covered 36 acres. There was a bowling green with a pavilion, tennis courts and a children’s play area, all for the exclusive use of residents of ‘the ville’, as it became affectionately known. Chorltonville cost £100,000 to build. In 1991 it was designated a Conservation Area and the houses there now are much sought after, some have sold for around £500,000 in recent years (written 2015).
Another estate was planned a few years later, to be called The Polefield Hall Estate - architectural drawings are dated April 1914. However, the outbreak of WW1 meant it could not proceed. (2)
Another estate was planned a few years later, to be called The Polefield Hall Estate - architectural drawings are dated April 1914. However, the outbreak of WW1 meant it could not proceed. (2)
Picture of the Ragged School showing JHD right
It was evident from an early age that JHD was a good living individual who believed in helping his fellow man, especially those less fortunate than himself, in a very real and meaningful way. All his adult life he committed himself to doing good in the community. He was a lay preacher at Cavendish Street Chapel, secretary for seven years and a deacon for 33 years. The associated Cavendish Mission, where he was an Honorary Secretary, was started in 1885 and it was here that JHD helped to run and raise funds for the Ragged School attached to the Mission. On the back of the above photograph JHD is described as a teacher. (3) Ragged Schools were charitable organisations dedicated to the free education of destitute children in Britain during the nineteenth century. He also used to go out in the evenings, taking food to the houses of the poor, where he sometimes witnessed domestic violence, on occasions having to intervene. (4) It was his desire to improve living standards which led to his pioneering the first Garden City in Manchester.
JHD was secretary of Hulme Healthy Homes Society for many years and worked for the Manchester and Salford Hospital Saturday and Sunday Charity. At some time he was also President of the Manchester Congregational Board and during WWI was on the House Committee of the Lancaster House Limbless Hospital. (5)
JHD was secretary of Hulme Healthy Homes Society for many years and worked for the Manchester and Salford Hospital Saturday and Sunday Charity. At some time he was also President of the Manchester Congregational Board and during WWI was on the House Committee of the Lancaster House Limbless Hospital. (5)
Involvement in Local Politics
Family records and newspaper cuttings show that in 1913 JHD stood for the City Council as a Progressive Candidate in the Medlock Street Ward of Manchester. In 1920 The Evening Chronicle reported that JHD was a candidate for Manchester City Council for the Chorlton-cum-Hardy and Whalley Range Municipal Ward. At this point it has not been possible to confirm whether he was successful in either of these attempts, although it is thought that he may have won a local election but not a County one. However, his election leaflets say a lot about the man and what he believed in.
The photographs shown were found on his election leaflets and span quite a few years.
He moved from Manchester to Fairhaven in 1923, when he was 56 years of age, a successful business man, effectively retired and totally committed to involving himself in the community. He began his public life in Lytham St Annes when he stood for, and won, a Municipal Election in Ansdell Ward in 1927. The voting booths were in the Ansdell Institute. Later, that same year, he was successful as a Ratepayer candidate for West Ward, Lytham. He became Mayor of the Borough in 1932 and an Alderman in 1935. On 1 June 1938 he stood for election to Lancashire County Council and it was reported that, 'Alderman James H Dawson wins by a sweeping majority’. In 1948 JHD became one of only a few individuals ever to be made a Freeman of the Borough of Lytham St Annes.
The photographs shown were found on his election leaflets and span quite a few years.
He moved from Manchester to Fairhaven in 1923, when he was 56 years of age, a successful business man, effectively retired and totally committed to involving himself in the community. He began his public life in Lytham St Annes when he stood for, and won, a Municipal Election in Ansdell Ward in 1927. The voting booths were in the Ansdell Institute. Later, that same year, he was successful as a Ratepayer candidate for West Ward, Lytham. He became Mayor of the Borough in 1932 and an Alderman in 1935. On 1 June 1938 he stood for election to Lancashire County Council and it was reported that, 'Alderman James H Dawson wins by a sweeping majority’. In 1948 JHD became one of only a few individuals ever to be made a Freeman of the Borough of Lytham St Annes.
This is the picture Alderman Dawson used in the booklet printed to commemorate his being made a Freeman of the Borough. Describing his many commitments, the local paper wrote at the time, 'It would probably fill a whole page of The Express to list all the committees, councils, boards and panels upon which Alderman Dawson has served, not only here but also back in his native Manchester'.
He was responsible for naming many roads in the borough and even had a road named after him, Dawson Road, in St Annes. He opened the first set of traffic lights at the junction of St Annes Road West and Clifton Drive. The newspaper described this new way of controlling traffic as 'robot lights' and reported that another set was going to be installed at the White Church junction.
Apart from his work on the Council, he was also Chairman of the Governors of Queen Mary School and on the Governing bodies of others. A newspaper article, reporting on his funeral, said pupils attended from the Secondary Modern School (now the Lytham St Annes Technology and Performing Arts College), as JHD had been one of the original Governors. He had a reputation of being good at talking to children. When he retired from the Borough Council and the County Council, at the age of ninety-one, he was on twenty-eight committees, fifteen of which he was Chairman. As he left the Council Chamber for the last time they all stood and clapped him out after the Mayor had said, 'I would like to say how much we shall miss you and how much we do appreciate you, not only in the Council Chamber but all the people in the Borough. I should think yours is the one name which everybody in Lytham St Annes knows, and particularly the young of the Borough'.
When he died, five years later, the members of the Council lined the path up to his house as his coffin left for the funeral. Another tribute to him, which shows the strength of feeling and affection for him, was at the next Lytham Club Day – the procession included an empty car in his memory. He had been Chairman of the Lytham Club Day Committee from 1938 until his death in 1963.
He was responsible for naming many roads in the borough and even had a road named after him, Dawson Road, in St Annes. He opened the first set of traffic lights at the junction of St Annes Road West and Clifton Drive. The newspaper described this new way of controlling traffic as 'robot lights' and reported that another set was going to be installed at the White Church junction.
Apart from his work on the Council, he was also Chairman of the Governors of Queen Mary School and on the Governing bodies of others. A newspaper article, reporting on his funeral, said pupils attended from the Secondary Modern School (now the Lytham St Annes Technology and Performing Arts College), as JHD had been one of the original Governors. He had a reputation of being good at talking to children. When he retired from the Borough Council and the County Council, at the age of ninety-one, he was on twenty-eight committees, fifteen of which he was Chairman. As he left the Council Chamber for the last time they all stood and clapped him out after the Mayor had said, 'I would like to say how much we shall miss you and how much we do appreciate you, not only in the Council Chamber but all the people in the Borough. I should think yours is the one name which everybody in Lytham St Annes knows, and particularly the young of the Borough'.
When he died, five years later, the members of the Council lined the path up to his house as his coffin left for the funeral. Another tribute to him, which shows the strength of feeling and affection for him, was at the next Lytham Club Day – the procession included an empty car in his memory. He had been Chairman of the Lytham Club Day Committee from 1938 until his death in 1963.
Art Collector and Philanthropist
JHD had a life-long love of art. He was an avid collector of all things beautiful and his house was so full of paintings, sculptures, furniture, porcelain, silver etc that you could hardly see the walls for all the paintings hanging on them. It was a beautiful residence, a real upstairs downstairs house, which still had the servants quarters in the basement; there remained a big stone slab in the middle of a room where they kneaded the bread. There were three storeys above. (7)
JHD bought his first painting when he was a boy of twelve. The story goes that he was on a train, sitting opposite a man who was carrying a framed picture, and they struck up a conversation. The man said he didn’t really like the picture and only had it because he had won it in a raffle. JHD asked how much he had paid for his raffle ticket, which turned out to be sixpence, and so he offered to buy the picture for the same price. His fellow traveller agreed. It was called Head of Loch Lomond. (4) Could this have been the painting by James Peel RBA (1811-1906), now in the William Morris Gallery? Peel was a landscape painter who exhibited all over the country, including the Royal Academy and the Manchester City Art Gallery.
JHD must have gone to many auctions and bought hundreds of artworks over the years. It is known he regularly went to Entwistle’s in Kingsway, Ansdell, and also had dealings with Richard Haworth, a well-known art dealer in Blackburn. Interestingly, Richard Haworth also taught at a Ragged School in Brent Street, Blackburn.
JHD had a life-long love of art. He was an avid collector of all things beautiful and his house was so full of paintings, sculptures, furniture, porcelain, silver etc that you could hardly see the walls for all the paintings hanging on them. It was a beautiful residence, a real upstairs downstairs house, which still had the servants quarters in the basement; there remained a big stone slab in the middle of a room where they kneaded the bread. There were three storeys above. (7)
JHD bought his first painting when he was a boy of twelve. The story goes that he was on a train, sitting opposite a man who was carrying a framed picture, and they struck up a conversation. The man said he didn’t really like the picture and only had it because he had won it in a raffle. JHD asked how much he had paid for his raffle ticket, which turned out to be sixpence, and so he offered to buy the picture for the same price. His fellow traveller agreed. It was called Head of Loch Lomond. (4) Could this have been the painting by James Peel RBA (1811-1906), now in the William Morris Gallery? Peel was a landscape painter who exhibited all over the country, including the Royal Academy and the Manchester City Art Gallery.
JHD must have gone to many auctions and bought hundreds of artworks over the years. It is known he regularly went to Entwistle’s in Kingsway, Ansdell, and also had dealings with Richard Haworth, a well-known art dealer in Blackburn. Interestingly, Richard Haworth also taught at a Ragged School in Brent Street, Blackburn.
Hercules
Gifts to the Lytham St Annes Art Collection
JHD must have known that the first painting ever given to the Lytham St Annes Art Collection in 1925 was The Herd Lassie by Richard Ansdell RA. He came to live in Lytham St Annes in 1923 so he would have been aware of that when he became a councillor in 1927, if not before. He would also have learnt of the next painting being given by members of the Ansdell family in 1926. Thomas Agnew Ansdell, grandson of the painter, and his sister, Mrs Beryl Leese, donated Lytham Sandhills. He must have thought John Booth did a wonderful thing donating that first painting to create the nucleus of an Art Collection because, in 1931, he followed the example set by these two notable families and donated his first painting to the Collection, Partridge Shooting, also by Richard Ansdell. He gave his first marble statue, Hercules, at the same time.
Ansdell’s work must have been well thought of at that time. JHD owned a book about the artist, 'Arthur Todd’s 1919 Biography of Richard Ansdell', the foreword of which was written by E Rumbault Dibdin, the second curator of the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool. It contains details of private individuals and local authorities who had art collections and owned paintings by Ansdell. He made notes alongside some of the paintings mentioned in the book regarding their whereabouts, including those he subsequently gave to the Collection. On the inside of the back cover he lists the Ansdells that he owned in 1953. On the inside cover is glued a newspaper cutting about the Council calling the proposed Art Gallery, The Dawson Gallery, which must have made him very proud. (3) The fact that JHD ended up donating so much of his work meant he had a high regard for Ansdell’s paintings. He gave nearly half of the twenty-seven Richard Ansdells now in the Collection.
JHD must have known that the first painting ever given to the Lytham St Annes Art Collection in 1925 was The Herd Lassie by Richard Ansdell RA. He came to live in Lytham St Annes in 1923 so he would have been aware of that when he became a councillor in 1927, if not before. He would also have learnt of the next painting being given by members of the Ansdell family in 1926. Thomas Agnew Ansdell, grandson of the painter, and his sister, Mrs Beryl Leese, donated Lytham Sandhills. He must have thought John Booth did a wonderful thing donating that first painting to create the nucleus of an Art Collection because, in 1931, he followed the example set by these two notable families and donated his first painting to the Collection, Partridge Shooting, also by Richard Ansdell. He gave his first marble statue, Hercules, at the same time.
Ansdell’s work must have been well thought of at that time. JHD owned a book about the artist, 'Arthur Todd’s 1919 Biography of Richard Ansdell', the foreword of which was written by E Rumbault Dibdin, the second curator of the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool. It contains details of private individuals and local authorities who had art collections and owned paintings by Ansdell. He made notes alongside some of the paintings mentioned in the book regarding their whereabouts, including those he subsequently gave to the Collection. On the inside of the back cover he lists the Ansdells that he owned in 1953. On the inside cover is glued a newspaper cutting about the Council calling the proposed Art Gallery, The Dawson Gallery, which must have made him very proud. (3) The fact that JHD ended up donating so much of his work meant he had a high regard for Ansdell’s paintings. He gave nearly half of the twenty-seven Richard Ansdells now in the Collection.
Partridge Shooting
Between 1931 and 1956 JHD gave over fifty works of art to the Lytham St Annes Art Collection. Only thirty-five are listed as attributed to him, but he always maintained he gave over fifty. Research is ongoing and so far it has been proved that at least two he gave are recorded as unlocated; letters from the Town Clerk to JHD say he gave three by a certain artist but there is now only one by this artist in the Collection. (3) Unfortunately, over the years paintings went missing and others are recorded as 'donor unknown'. Contained in one newspaper article is a statement that he gave tapestries, but none are recorded. Often he gave a painting to mark the anniversary of some event. For example, in 1944 he gave Waiting for Master, by Richard Ansdell, to mark the 3000th issue of the Lytham Times and, in 1945, he donated The Rescue, by Richard Ansdell, as a thanksgiving for victory. Not only did he donate items himself but he also persuaded other people to give, and he worked hard to get an art gallery built in the town. (4) As shown in the Council minutes below, land behind the library in St Annes was earmarked for building one and plans were requested.
Tuesday 13 November 1956
RESOLVED
That the Council be recommended to agree in principle to the reservation of the vacant site owned by the Corporation in King’s Road adjoining the Public Library and the College of Further Education for the erection of an art gallery.
Monday 19 November 1956
The General Purposes Committee considered the recommendation of the Estates and Libraries Committee of the 13th November relating
to the proposed reservation of a site in King’s Road for the erection of an art gallery.
RESOLVED
(i) that the Council be recommended to approve and adopt the recommendation of the Estates and Libraries Committee, as set out in minute 751; and
(ii) that the proposed art gallery to be erected on this site be named “The Dawson Art Gallery”.
Tuesday 4 December 1956
RESOLVED
That the Council be recommended to request the Borough Surveyor to prepare sketch plans of proposed Dawson Art Gallery in King’s Road.
It is not known what happened to prevent the building. Discussions took place as to whether a new library should be built and the existing library be used as an art gallery. Whatever the reason, the recommendation was not carried forward and the creation of an art gallery was shelved. It is interesting to note that in an article in the Evening Gazette in 1956, when an art gallery seemed to be a certainty, JHD called on individuals, who had promised to give pictures, to come forward with them in order to ensure that the size of the proposed gallery would accommodate all the artworks. JHD was determined that there would be a wonderful Collection when, not if, there was an art gallery. It was his dream. He gave some beautiful things and was respected as a collector.
Tuesday 13 November 1956
RESOLVED
That the Council be recommended to agree in principle to the reservation of the vacant site owned by the Corporation in King’s Road adjoining the Public Library and the College of Further Education for the erection of an art gallery.
Monday 19 November 1956
The General Purposes Committee considered the recommendation of the Estates and Libraries Committee of the 13th November relating
to the proposed reservation of a site in King’s Road for the erection of an art gallery.
RESOLVED
(i) that the Council be recommended to approve and adopt the recommendation of the Estates and Libraries Committee, as set out in minute 751; and
(ii) that the proposed art gallery to be erected on this site be named “The Dawson Art Gallery”.
Tuesday 4 December 1956
RESOLVED
That the Council be recommended to request the Borough Surveyor to prepare sketch plans of proposed Dawson Art Gallery in King’s Road.
It is not known what happened to prevent the building. Discussions took place as to whether a new library should be built and the existing library be used as an art gallery. Whatever the reason, the recommendation was not carried forward and the creation of an art gallery was shelved. It is interesting to note that in an article in the Evening Gazette in 1956, when an art gallery seemed to be a certainty, JHD called on individuals, who had promised to give pictures, to come forward with them in order to ensure that the size of the proposed gallery would accommodate all the artworks. JHD was determined that there would be a wonderful Collection when, not if, there was an art gallery. It was his dream. He gave some beautiful things and was respected as a collector.
In 1950 he gave the most valuable painting in the Collection, The Vision of Catherine of Aragon, by Henri Fuseli, pictured here. He bought the painting from the family of Mrs LMM Tiller, of South Shore, Blackpool, who loaned it, along with several other paintings, to the Council in 1931 ‘for a period of time no less than seven years’. There were two oil paintings, ‘The Vision of Catherine of Aragon’, by Henri Fuseli and Carnarvon Castle, by Richard Wilson RA. In addition there were nine watercolours by Percy Brooke. In 1948 there was talk of increasing the insurance cover from £500 to £1,000 for all of the pictures, but nothing was done. Then, in 1950, the Council became worried about the responsibility of caring for the Fuseli and wanted it removed because it was ‘exceedingly valuable’. Mrs Tiller’s family decided to sell the painting.
It was then that JHD bought it, and restored it to where it had been hanging for the past nineteen years. However, in 2001, the family approached Fylde Borough Council saying they wanted all the pictures loaned by Mrs Tiller in 1931 to be returned. Although the Council were able to prove that the Fuseli belonged to the Collection unfortunately they could only find six of the nine watercolours by Percy Brooke; compensation was agreed at just under £2,000. The insurance did not cover the loss because their disappearance could not be explained. (8)
JHD continued to give paintings and statues over the years but realised eventually that he was unlikely to live long enough to see an art gallery built to house the Collection. Hoping to persuade the Council that they should provide a gallery, he made a final gesture, offering to give a large number of paintings – it is thought somewhere between twenty and thirty – if they would promise to build an art gallery. In reply the Council stated that, although regrettable, they felt unable to commit to it and consequently the paintings were never given.
When JHD died many beautiful things went to auction. One painting sold was lot 507, described as, Lady seated, playing with baby on knee, by Portiele, 39.75 x 30.25 inches, understood to be formerly in the collection of her late Majesty, Queen Alexandra.
Items went for little money because it was in the sixties and they were no longer fashionable. Modern houses were smaller with lower ceilings and could not accommodate, for example, the huge mahogany sideboard from the dining room or the beautiful four poster beds. Most of it went on to be shipped to America. (3)
Other Gifts
JHD gave other things to various churches, associations and organisations.
He gave a bible to the White Church inscribed, 'Presented by James H Dawson on the occasion of the anniversary of the Pastorate of Rev C Percival Pitt BA October 1947'. He gave a large silver shield, called the Dawson Shield, which was awarded every year to the Sunday School which gained top marks in a Scripture Examination; it is now kept at the White Church where he worshipped. He also gave a Silver Shield, the Mayor’s Shield, which he presented to the winners at the first athletic festival of the Lytham St Annes School Sports Association in 1933. The same year he gave a Silver Cup, the Dawson Challenge Cup, which he presented to the winner of the ‘Brighter Lytham St Annes’ window display competition, judged Christmas 1932. He also gave a Silver Cup to the Sailing Club on Fairhaven Lake, which he presented to the winners of a sailing competition. A paragraph in a newspaper cutting entitled 'Mayoral Trophies' stated, ‘We are indebted to the Mayor for several valuable trophies he has given during his Mayoralty’. Apart from those above, it mentions another Silver Cup, which he presented to the St Annes Prize Band as a Challenge Trophy for their ‘slow melody’ contest, inaugurated at Easter 1933. (6)
JHD continued to give paintings and statues over the years but realised eventually that he was unlikely to live long enough to see an art gallery built to house the Collection. Hoping to persuade the Council that they should provide a gallery, he made a final gesture, offering to give a large number of paintings – it is thought somewhere between twenty and thirty – if they would promise to build an art gallery. In reply the Council stated that, although regrettable, they felt unable to commit to it and consequently the paintings were never given.
When JHD died many beautiful things went to auction. One painting sold was lot 507, described as, Lady seated, playing with baby on knee, by Portiele, 39.75 x 30.25 inches, understood to be formerly in the collection of her late Majesty, Queen Alexandra.
Items went for little money because it was in the sixties and they were no longer fashionable. Modern houses were smaller with lower ceilings and could not accommodate, for example, the huge mahogany sideboard from the dining room or the beautiful four poster beds. Most of it went on to be shipped to America. (3)
Other Gifts
JHD gave other things to various churches, associations and organisations.
He gave a bible to the White Church inscribed, 'Presented by James H Dawson on the occasion of the anniversary of the Pastorate of Rev C Percival Pitt BA October 1947'. He gave a large silver shield, called the Dawson Shield, which was awarded every year to the Sunday School which gained top marks in a Scripture Examination; it is now kept at the White Church where he worshipped. He also gave a Silver Shield, the Mayor’s Shield, which he presented to the winners at the first athletic festival of the Lytham St Annes School Sports Association in 1933. The same year he gave a Silver Cup, the Dawson Challenge Cup, which he presented to the winner of the ‘Brighter Lytham St Annes’ window display competition, judged Christmas 1932. He also gave a Silver Cup to the Sailing Club on Fairhaven Lake, which he presented to the winners of a sailing competition. A paragraph in a newspaper cutting entitled 'Mayoral Trophies' stated, ‘We are indebted to the Mayor for several valuable trophies he has given during his Mayoralty’. Apart from those above, it mentions another Silver Cup, which he presented to the St Annes Prize Band as a Challenge Trophy for their ‘slow melody’ contest, inaugurated at Easter 1933. (6)
REFERENCES
(1) Family trees constructed over the years by family members and verified by information contained on www.ancestry.com and
www.ancestry.co.uk. These sites also provided relevant census information.
Family documents eg birth, death certificates and family stories
(2) Original booklets and plans, family letters
(3) Family records
(4) Knowledge passed down from father to son, ie JHD to Edwyn Dawson and to me, Margaret Race
(5) Newspaper cuttings
(6) Election leaflets and newspaper cuttings taken from the Manchester Evening Chronicle, Tuesday 3 February 1920,
Lytham Times, St Annes-on-the-Sea Gazette, Blackpool Evening Gazette and Lytham St Annes Express
(7) My own recollections
(8) Copies of Council documents collected by myself over the years
(1) Family trees constructed over the years by family members and verified by information contained on www.ancestry.com and
www.ancestry.co.uk. These sites also provided relevant census information.
Family documents eg birth, death certificates and family stories
(2) Original booklets and plans, family letters
(3) Family records
(4) Knowledge passed down from father to son, ie JHD to Edwyn Dawson and to me, Margaret Race
(5) Newspaper cuttings
(6) Election leaflets and newspaper cuttings taken from the Manchester Evening Chronicle, Tuesday 3 February 1920,
Lytham Times, St Annes-on-the-Sea Gazette, Blackpool Evening Gazette and Lytham St Annes Express
(7) My own recollections
(8) Copies of Council documents collected by myself over the years
