Mexborough & Swinton Times, August 11, 1939

New Co-Op. Director

Mr. Thomas Wooley of Wombwell

Fine Public Record

Wombwell has sent another member to the Board of Directors of the Barnsley British Co-operative Society in the person of Mr. Thomas Wooley, a comparatively young man who for a number of years has been prominent in the public life of the Dearne Valley, and is an active member of the Wombwell Education Sub-committee.

In securing 2891 votes he achieved a very notable success, and will take the place of Mr. Thomas Tyas of Wath-on-Dearne, a retired branch manager, who was third in the poll of eleven candidates.

Mr. Wooley is a married man and lives in Mellor Road, Wombwell. One of his sons is a constable in the West Riding Police Force stationed at Ferrybridge. “Tom” Wooley is a very popular figure in local Labour circles and he has already received warm congratulations from his colleagues. Co-operation has always had a big attraction for him and his election to the Barnsley Board is the fulfilment of a long cherished ambition.

Wombwell Councillor.

Mr. Wooley has been a member of Wombwell Urban Council for five years. He was first elected in 1929 and served until 1932. In 1937 he regained his seat in the North Ward and at present is chairman of the Finance and General Purposes Committee. He is a prominent figure in local Methodist circles and is secretary of the Hoyland Methodist Circuit. For many years he has been actively associated with the Barnsley Road Methodist Church. Wombwell and as a local preacher has occupied the pulpits at many churches in the Wombwell and Hoyland districts. He is keenly interested in many phases of local activity, and has a particular interest in the hospital movement.

He has for many years assisted the local branch of the Sheffield “Penny” in the C Hospitals Contributory Scheme, and in an administrative capacity serves on the Hemsworth and Wombwell Hospital Committee Mr. Wooley has been interested in the co-operative movement for a long period and as a speaker has been frequently in demand at meetings of corporative guilds in all parts of the district.

He is a native of South Staffordshire and came to this district about thirty years ago. He worked for a time at Grimethorpe Colliery and came to Wombwell 27 years ago. For a long period he has been officially connected with the Wombwell Main branch of the Yorkshire Mineworkers’ Association and is at present the branch delegate.