Papers of Winifred Lakin (1907-2002), Coventry Councillor, Mayor and election agent [Labour Party]

Letters from R.H.S. Crossman, 1965-74; personalia.

Winifred Lakin was born in Wrexham in 1907, and settled in Coventry with her husband, Harry, in 1930. She worked for the Mutual Trading Company and he was a draughtsman at GEC. In 1955 she won a seat for Labour on Coventry City Council and served until 1967. In 1972 she was again elected and represented Longford Ward continuously until 1988. She served as Lord Mayor in 1986-87. She was also a member of many committees, was a governor of a number of schools and carried out voluntary work well into her 80s. She was also a member of Warwick University Court and was awarded an honorary degree in 1988. From 1959 to 1971 she also acted as election agent to Richard Crossman MP. She and Harry had two children, Brian, who predeceased her, and Shirley. Winnie Lakin died on 28 December 2002.

Reference: Information from Mrs Lakin; obituary in 'Coventry Evening Telegraph', 2 January 2003; http://iccoventry.icnetwork.co.uk.

This collection is available to researchers by appointment at the Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick. See http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/library/mrc/using/

Link to full catalogue: http://mrc-catalogue.warwick.ac.uk/records/

The collection was deposited with the Centre in 1992.