THE ‘first resident’ of Moreton returned to his boyhood home 75 years ago to open new council offices.

The Journal of 1935 reported: “Viscount Sankey of Moreton, a former Lord Chancellor, returned to the town of his boyhood days 75 years ago to open the new offices of the North Cotswold Rural District Council at Moreton, in the presence of a large assembly of townspeople and residents.

“The new premises, which were at one time the business premises of Messrs Norton and Sankey, are centrally situated in the High-street, not far from the Redesdale Hall, and the building has an imposing facade.

“It is of Cotswold stone and above the entrance and over the complete width of the building have been carved the words, North Cotswold Rural District Council.

“The carving was executed by Mr T J Gill, of Bourton-on-the-Hill.

“Extensive alterations and renovations have been carried out by Messrs A Grove and Sons, of Milton-under-Wychwood, under the direction of Mr Thomas Overbury, of Messrs Healing and Overbury, architects, of Cheltenham, and electric lighting and central heating have been installed.

“The accommodation includes the council chamber, an inquiry office, seven other offices, and ladies’ and gentlemen’s lavatories.

“The council chamber, which is stated to be capable of accommodating about 84 persons, is 32 feet long by 28 feet wide.

“The chairman will sit at a raised desk and tables will be so arranged around the room that all members will be on one side of them, facing the chairman.

“Other rooms include the clerk’s office, the rates office, and the offices of the deputy clerk, the chief rating officer, the sanitary inspector and the typist.

“At the front door of the building, the chairman of the council, Brigadier-General E C McCalmont, referred to Lord Sankey as “the first resident of Moreton”.

“A silver key was handed to Lord Sankey, who opened the front door stating, ‘I declare these new council offices open’.”