Page 143 - Redditch People

Redditch People

The family eventually settled in Watford, where Walter attended the boys' grammar
school and then read history at Durham University, graduating in 1946 while already
teaching maths in Watford.

After moving to Redditch, Walter was elected a councillor in 1952. This was despite a
campaign by an opponent who told electors not to vote for a "German communist".

During the first of three mayoral stints, in 1962, he married Betty Hawley, who had just
graduated from Leeds University and had been head girl at the school where he taught.
Press photographers met the newly married couple to get a picture of the leader of
Redditch council marrying his former pupil. Betty became a perfect foil in a partnership
known as "Bet and Wal" to a wide circle of friends, not only locally but also further afield
in France and Germany through town-twinning and exchange programmes.

Walter moved from teaching history to become senior lecturer in environmental studies
at Bordesley College of Education in 1965. The teacher training co

A Newspaper Clip Page: 143
about Walter

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