South Yorkshire Times, May 9th 1970
Brothers In Arms
Running for election in Mexborough has almost become a family tradition as far as the Haigh’s are concerned and this year proves no exception with brothers Bob and John both fighting for a seat on the Urban Council as Labour members.
“It’s led to a good deal of leg-pulling between the two of us about the outcome of the elections,” said Bob, “for although we have both stood before in Mexborough we have never stood in the same elections.”
Bob has been on the Council for six years and recalled brother John contesting a very closely-fought election with present Council chairman Jack Willetts several years ago.
“It has become part of the family way of life to take an interest in public service. Our father stood for election in the town many years ago but didn’t get in. He was always a keen supporter of the Labour Party, however and this seems to have rubbed off on the rest of us.
“Brother Edwin is also a former member of the Council and is our election agent in Roman Terrace Ward, so you can see the whole family has been closely connected with local government in the town for many years,” he said.
John, who is the caretaker at Mexborough Schofield Technical College and lives in Cowper Road, will be hoping to win the Adwick Road Ward seat tomorrow from Mal Gamble, while Bob, who lives in Haddon Rise and is the better-known of the two brothers in local government circles, will be trying to retain his seat in Roman Terrace Ward.