Mexborough and Swinton Times April 1, 1938

New Councillor – Mr James Kelly

It seems strange to be including Mr. James Kelly’s name in a, list of new councillors for he is now almost a veteran in matters of local administration.

He is included in this feature because, although a Swinton councillor of 13 years’ standing, he now becomes a member for the first time of the Mexborough authority, owing to the County Boundaries Review scheme.

A native of West Melton, Mr. Kelly has worked all his life in the mines; leaving school at the age of 13, he worked for some years in the Manvers Main and Bullcroft pits.

Then came the War, in which he gave meritorious service in the Navy. Returning to civic life, he secured employment at Wath Main Colliery and has remained there ever since. Always interested in trade union work, he has been President of the Wath Main branch of the Y.M.A. since 1921. Since his election to the Swinton Council in 1925, Mr. Kelly has been Chairman once (in 1928) and chairman of the Education Committee.

His best  work however, has been done as a member of the Board of Guardians, and he has always championed the cause of the unemployed.