Martha Jane Downes

Chairman of Horwich Urban District Council: 1946-47 (Labour)

Born: Westhoughton 3 November 1881

Died: Green Lane, Horwich 9 June 1966

Born Martha Jane Ellam.

First female Councillor on Horwich Urban District Council.

First female Chairman of Horwich Urban District Council.

Manager of Chorley New Road and Lord Street Council Schools.

Served as a Councillor 1940-55.

Magistrate.

Chairman of Horwich Maternity and Child Welfare Committees.

President of Horwich Labour Party.

Vice President of Westhoughton Labour Party.

Worked for Horwich Labour Party for over 30 years and was appointed to the Council after the sudden death of Councillor John A Kilcoyne.

Governor Rivington & Blackrod Grammar School and an ardent worker for Bolton, Leigh and District Deaf and Dumb Society.

She married Thomas William Downes on 10 August 1907 and had 3 sons and 4 daughters. Thomas died in 1944.