Title
Tape of Interview with Alderman Ken Scott by Len Holden Ken Scott was a leading Trade Unionist and Labour Councillor. Resume of highlights of the tape (NB this is not a full transcript) Ken was born 23 March 1912 at 68, Gwyn Street. His father, Walter, was born in Scotland and his mother Nellie in Bedford. Walter's father William married Catherine who was working in Scotland but had been born in Sharnbrook. Because of his asthma Walter came south to Bedford, stayed a few weeks and worked at Elliott's of Leicester, cabinet makers for two years. He then came to work at J P White's and lived in Marlborough Road Bedford (NB not in 1901 Commercial Directory - so c1902-1905). He took a pub in Wellington street [1906 Directory at 52 Wellington Street as a beer retailer]. He moved to Bedford Arms, 2 Bromham Road, Bedford [there in Commerical Directories 1910-1928]. Catherine kept the pub for 25 years, 68 Gwyn Street was next door.
Walter Scott He and Nellie had three daughters and Ken. Nellie died in early 1923 (buried at Bedford Cemetery 2 March 1923). Walter Convenor of Trade Union at J P Whites - brought men out on strike in General Strike 1925, lost job, had double pneumonia and did not work for two years. Did two years commuting to London coming back at weekends family broke up. Founder member of branch of Independent Labour Party c1924-1925 helped fit out office in Tavistock Street, Bedford (cannot trace this in Commercial Directories. By 1938 they shared offices with Bedford Trade Union Council at 32-34 Alexandra Road, Bedford - may well have done so before this) Ken Scott himself: early political activity issuing leaflets etc and going to meetings with father. When 13-14 went to National Council of Labour Colleges, Bedford Branch Course of Economics went went through whole course, met Sunday nights - sometimes in week at Trades Club (started 1912-mainly railwaymen - 100 attended especially on Sunday)attendance at lectures c20 including Jim Seamark (Labour activist, insurance agent quiet man, reminded him of Keir Hardie)
Scott failed to get scholarship from Harpur Central Elementary - not even selected to go in for it (possibly because of father's record) - left school at 14 in 1925. First political job being paid to collect numbers at Election for Liberals, paid by
Mr Webb at Priory School, 9 months in Education Office, worked with a wheelwright 18 months - 2 years and he went bust 1930 - out of work 7 months, odd jobs with father - learning trade in workshop at back of grandparents pub. Met a man called Munday whose family installed greenhouses based at Hextable, Kent, did two winter seasons - after that worked on most big jobs in Bedford as Journeyman Carpenter - typically lasting 3 weeks, a few days out of work, then another job Cardington Aerodrome - source of work in early 1930's - training depots there. 1930's Politics: problems with Blackshirts- often fights with Labour meetings at St Paul's Square on Saturday nights Walter, Ken and one sister joined the Communist Party. Increase of numbers of Communist Party after 1931 - Bert & Betty Matthews leading lights - children of a Sandy farmer active in Unemployed Workers Association Labour Party locally. End of 19C individ agric labourers members; 1904 first mention in papers; no Parliamentary candidate till 1920's. Mentions Meic banker paying for paper(folds 1936) precursor to pioneer unionisation. Alexandra Club (see above) brought present AEUW office next door- two bars going - Silver Band based there. Unionisation grew very rapidly especially building trade, several hundred men at J P Whites. Allens, Igranics too War: Ken served 1Ã¥ years in the war Post War: joined Labour Party almost as soon as came out of army, leaves TGWU 1944 joins Woodworkers Union met at Co-op Hall, Midland Road, above shop - all members had to turn up, around 300 1951 Secretary of Building Trades Federation. 1952 Trade Council Treasurer 1954 Chairman of Trades Council for 17 years 1957 President of Woodworkers Association -1980's.
In late 1950, eight TWGU Branches, seven AEUW, a number of building trade ones - SOGAT began to build up round shopworkers.
Ken Scott & Politics 1960 through AEUW President Arthur Judd, engineer at Meltis, stood for Kingsbrook Ward, 1960 won quite easily (Bedford Borough Council) lost at once when Labour low and inactive - bad weather in March 1968 - won it back later in year. Eight or nine Labour members - Tom Andrews group leader, got chairmanship of some committees and more for the wards they represented. Ken Chairman of Highways 1963-1971 when Conservatives took over all committees. Was Chairman of Public Works & Finance Committee for two years in 1970's. Housing estates built under Labour deal with Tories especially under Vic Storrow three years 2000 houses. (built with Government subsidies rather than rate) Tom Andrews & Ken Scott always spoke on every issue - tactical domination of Council. Leaders of Council buying land at agricultural prices, getting planning on land - '12 million gained. Ron Gale, confirmed Christian, tries to live by it - before Management Committee on Friday. Gale always told them what was going to happen Gale most capitalist person ever on Council, clever man always reserved annually industrial sites - good revenue. After 1974 Jones & Gale drop out = Capital Fund squandered - facilities diminished in the town. Discusses landfill site and takeover of Chantry Estate, Kempston by County Council.
Bedford Constituery Politics
1952 candidate Audrey good candidate. Parkin's agent was a Liberal (tried to be agent for them) RAE employee, worked his guts for Parkin - slung out because not member of Labour Party. 1966 Parkin's victory atributed to debacle of Kingsbrook meeting re rents rise. A A Jones discomforted. Count at Ashburnham Road Drill Hall, very close. Simmons made proclamation; Soames mad with result Parkin luckiest man alive. Gordon Collings Labour Candidate. March 1974. not attractive figure on platform but knowledgeable, knew him on Trades Council; Collings represented NGA(moved from Aspley Guise to Bromham Road Bedford) Scott mentions row over rules that no speaker should speak two times in a debate with Secretary George Robbins, vote against Scott (Trades Council discusses potential sources of historical dnformation on Labour party locally.
Immigrants to Bedford Welsh miners to brickyards in 1930's some were keen Labour supporters: R T J Meaker, Hazelwood Road and - Harris, Cedar Road. Italians arrive 1954 - Hostel for 100 men - two year contract, then could go back or stay if they wanted - keep good ones send rest back. Indians influx after the war. Poles Len Holden commented visiting Polish Club on canvas: "No Communists here" Comments on West Indians: immigrants not involved on the politics of the town. Comments on Labour leaders 1945-1951