Alderman Thomas Edward Daniel Hibbert, High Sherriff's Reception"

Buckley Town Council Offices, Mold Road, Buckley

18 March 1957

Follow hotspots for Hibbert, Thomas Edward Daniel, J.P.. 3.229 - Portrait referred to below; 43.32 invitation to the event.

HIGH SHERIFF ENTERTAINS

To mark the near completion of his year of office as High Sheriff of the county, Alderman T. E. D. Hibbert of Buckley, on Monday, held a high tea and social at the Buckley Council Chamber at which he entertained and said "Thank You" to his fellow members of Buckley Urban Council and many other friends and representatives of organisations such as the police and Press. The guests, with their ladies, numbered more than 80.

Several speakers described the occasion as "unique in the history of Buckley". Certainly it was a memorable occasion. It lasted for more than four hours, with happy informality the keynote of the speeches and with first-class entertainment being provided by Miss Winnie Spencer, Mr. Arthur Messham and Mr. Davies Hayes (soloists) and Mr. Dick Catherall (comedian) with Mr. Tom Roberts at the piano.

Mr. R. Messham was master of ceremonies, and the High Sheriff was accompanied by his chaplain, the Rev. Richard Daniel.

Mr. William Lewis, Mold, proposing the toast to the High Sheriff and Mrs. Hibbert, said that the office of High Sheriff in Flintshire had never been more worthily carried out than in the past year. He went on "I feel sure that the people of Buckley feel very proud of Mr. Hibbert's achievements. He has done the job "reet proper" as they say in Buckley.

In response, the High Sheriff said that this would possibly be his last public function in the office, as soon he would be handing over to the newly-elected High Sheriff, and so it was a pleasant occasion mingled with some sadness.

Declaring that the occasion was unique in Buckley's history, Alderman Hibbert went on; "I am delighted that it has come my way to bring this honour to the town of my adoption. I cannot claim to be Buckley-born, but I did the next best thing and married a Buckley girl."

Alderman Hibbert said that nowhere in the world could you find stouter, better and braver hearts than those of the people of Buckley, and he went on to express the pride he had felt in Buckley during the previous day's most impressive service of thanks-giving as the Tabernacle Methodist Church, and his delight at the close links displayed between the Church and the Nonconformist churches.

Making a plea for better understanding in the world, the High Sheriff said he hoped the time was not far distant when man's inhumanity to man would disappear. "I believe it will come, I believe it is on the horizon" he said.

In conclusion, the High Sheriff remarked; "I hope my successor will have the loyal, wholehearted support of the public as I have had".

As Alderman Hibbert sat down, the assembly rose and sang "For he's a jolly good fellow" followed by three hearty cheers.

HIGH SPOT

One of the high-spots of the evening then took place - the unveiling by Mrs. Hibbert of a presentation photograph of Alderman Hibbert - in High Sheriff's uniform. The photograph, presented by Alderman Hibbert to Buckley Urban Council at the council's request, was received by the chairman of the council, Mr. Philip Lloyd Dunn.

Mrs. Hibbert said the Buckley and the people of Buckley were very near and dear to her husband's heart, and no one knew better than she how much he enjoyed his public work.

Mr. Dunn, thanking the High Sheriff for his gift on behalf of the council and citizens of Buckley said that Alderman Hibbert had always been a tower of strength to the council. He hoped the photograph which would have a place of honour in the council chamber, would be an inspiration to young people to aspire to high honours.

The toast to "The Ladies" was proposed by Councillor W. L. Rowlands and responded to be Councillor Miss A. E. Catherall. The Chief Constable (Mr. J. Fenlli Roberts) proposed the toast to "Buckley Urban Council" and in doing so mentioned that he had flown over Buckley in a helicopter some time ago and had noted how beautiful the Buckley area looked from the air. "It is a well-planned urban area when you view it from the air" he remarked.

Referring to the councillors who gave lifetime of service to public work, the Chief Constable commented; "I am afraid we are not too ready to appreciate the services rendered by such people. We are too ready to criticise the difficulties which councils are up against".

Responding to this toast, Councillor J. E. Ellis, vice-chairman of the council, said he remembered Buckley Urban Council since the start in 1897. This being the council's Diamond Jubilee year, what better could they have to commemorate the occasion than the presentation photograph of Alderman Hibbert in his year as High Sheriff.

PUBLIC FIRST

Stating that it was a privilege to be serving on the urban Council, Mr. Ellis remarked; "We are always putting the public first, even if the public don't always think so".

Councillor Arthur Jones, supporting, said "We who are members of this authority do our best to serve the interests of the town we love so much to the best of our ability", Of Alderman Hibbert, he said, "He has given loyal service to this authority, he is a man of great integrity and is highly respected. He has given faithful service to the public of this town unstintingly, and has been most generous to various organisations."

Councillor C. Hewitt also spoke in response to the Chief Constable's toast, and Councillor Harold Smith followed with a toast to "The Press" in which he said; "I have often heard it said in this council chamber that the relations between Buckley Urban Council and the Press have always been of the best. And these are not empty words. They ring very true, The Press representatives have treated us fairly, we leave it to the Press to report what we say, and we do that with confidence".

Mr. J. O. Jones ("Chester Chronicle") replied to the toast on behalf of the Press.

Thanks to the artistes and all who had helped with the function, including the council staff, were expressed by Mr. Kenneth Hibbert, son of the High Sheriff, and the response was by Mr. Tom Roberts, the accompanist for the evening.

The High Sheriff voiced his personal thanks to Mr. R. Messham, the master of ceremonies, for the great amount of work he had put in.

Author: Flintshire Leader

Alderman Thomas Edward Daniel Hibbert, High Sherriff's Reception"

Buckley Town Council Offices, Mold Road, Buckley

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