James Stevenson - The Mayors of Bolton Directory

The village postman for over 40 years.

He began his career as a messenger boy at Little Lever Post Office and five years later became a postman. At that time he worked fifteen and a half hours every day, making six trips to Bradley Fold Railway Station and two deliveries of parcels and letters each day. When he retired in 1936 it was his boast that he was only late for work twice in 45 years and one of those occasions was caused by carrying an ill man on his back for a mile and a quarter to find a doctor.

He lost his right arm in an accident when he was 13 when working in his first job. He went back to school for 2 years and learned to write with his left hand before joining the Post Office.

Represented Church Ward as an Independent for 26 years from 1924.

His was elected to his third term in 1945 to mark his 21 years in local government.

He represented the Council on the governing body of Bolton School and on the Divisional Planning Committee.

Anglican - for 27 years, before going to live in Little Lever, he was a member of the choir at All Saints Church, Farnworth where he was Choir Secretary and Men's Class Treasurer. Later he worshipped at St Matthew's Church Little Lever and served as a Sidesman and on the Sunday School Football Club Committee.

He was described as "a well known village character."

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