Alderman Robert Mackintosh

A man who is an ardent supporter of local government and would hate to see local authorities disappear is Ald. R.J. Mackintosh, of Higham Road, Burton Latimer.

Ald. Mackintosh moved to Burton forty years ago but has contributed so much service to the town and has become so identified with many of its societies and bodies that he is almost a Burtonian.  When he came to the town in 1921 it was only a “temporary” move – “but we are still here” he said.  Think of almost any committee in the town – the old Hospital Committee, the Gala Committee, the Man War Effort Committees, the British Legion, the Motor Ambulance Committee and the Savings Committee to name a few – and Ald. Mackintosh’s name is sure to be somewhere in the records.

But he is best known as a councillor, and has just retired after 25 years service.  During his last year he was the council chairman – the fifth time since he was first appointed chairman in 1940.  A fellow councillor summed up Ald. Mackintosh’s work in the area when, seconding the proposition that he should be chairman, he observed “whatever Mr. Mackintosh has said he has always meant and he is a great asset to the town”.Twenty five years ago Ald. Mackintosh had to be persuaded to stand for the council.  Now it is with regret that he has resigned.  In 1956 he became a County Council Aldeman after seven years on the County Council.  Although he has resigned from the town council, he is retaining his county council interest.

“I am all for local government,” said Ald. Mackintosh “and for administration in small units in particular.  People don’t seem to realise that we in small towns offer the same facilities to our ratepayers as in larger towns, and we do it, very often, more economically.  The Local Government Commission does not seem to realise this and I hope that Burton never has to join up with Kettering.  You only have to look at the deal Finedon got when it joined Wellingborough to see the effect such a move could have on Burton”.  He said that as a Parish Council very little was done for Burton.  Once it became an Urban District the council immediately brought amenities to the town,and today it is one of the best lit and best serviced towns with the lowest rates in the area.

Wartime was definitely the busiest time for Ald. Mackintosh.  He was connected with every war effort staged in the town, and was chairman of the local ARP committee and the Food Control Committee.  As council chairman in 1940 and 1943 he was responsible for the arrangements for evacuees, and was also chairman of the Food Parcels Committee.  He was personally responsible for starting Burton Latimer Old People’s Welfare Committee and has always maintained a keen interest in all the town’s sporting activities.  He was once a footballer and cricketer himself and is now vice president of both these clubs.  He is a keen bowls player.

He is treasurer of Burton Latimer Conservative Club and was at one time secretary of the local Conservative Association.  “Although I was a Conservative member of the council”, said Ald. Mackintosh “it is remarkable that political issues have never entered the council chamber - that is one reason why Burton council is successful”.

His younger son, Colin seems to be following his father’s footsteps – he has just been elected to the council.  “I didn’t know he was serious about standing for election,” commented Mr. Mackintosh,  “I certainly didn’t influence him”.  His other son, Paul, is working in the Louth branch of Lloyds Bank.  Both boys went to Kettering Grammar School.