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Howel Jones, who passed away at the age of 96, was a devoted teacher and committed Methodist whose faith deeply influenced both his approach to local government and his dedication to young people, including his own large family. He also instilled in them a strong allegiance to Liverpool FC.
Born in the Liverpool suburb of Childwall to Welsh-speaking parents, Dilys and Eames Jones, Howel was raised in a home where religion played an important role despite language barriers. Every Sunday, Howel and his siblings attended a Welsh chapel, even though he could not understand the language spoken. This early exposure laid the foundation of a lifelong commitment to Christianity. In 1939, the family helped establish the Childwall Valley Methodist church, where, by age 16, Howel felt a calling to become a local preacher.
Howel’s early career path took several turns: after leaving Holt grammar school, he worked in banking and completed national service. The untimely death of his father motivated him to seek a different direction, leading him to train as a teacher at Westminster College, London, in 1951. Upon qualifying, he returned to Liverpool and took up work at Dovedale primary school. His future wife, Maxine Headey, whom he met through church activities, was also a teacher. The couple married in 1956, and after feeling a shared missionary calling, they moved to Meru, Kenya, three years later. There, Howel, with his relatively limited experience, was appointed district supervisor of schools. Their family grew during this time with the birth of two sons, complementing their daughter born in the UK.
Upon their return to Britain in 1963, Howel continued his teaching career in Kendal, Cumbria, at St Thomas’ Church of England primary school, where the couple welcomed their fourth child. Their subsequent moves took them to Clitheroe, where Howel became deputy head at St James’ primary school and later headteacher at Daisyfield primary in Blackburn from 1971 to 1973. He then led the new Brookside primary school in Clitheroe, remaining there until 1983. Retirement did not slow Howel’s public service; instead, it marked the beginning of a long involvement in local politics. He served as a Liberal Democrat councillor for Clitheroe town and Ribble Valley Borough for 21 years starting in 1982. Additionally, he led the local Liberal Democrat group for 17 years, held the mayorship of Clitheroe twice, and was mayor of Ribble Valley, all while sustaining active roles within the Methodist church.
In 1987, Howel faced significant personal loss with the deaths of both his brother Glyn and his wife Maxine. The following year, he traveled to Wellington, New Zealand, visiting Glyn’s widow, Beverly. They eventually remarried in 1992 and settled back in Clitheroe. His later years included being named honorary alderman of Ribble Valley council in 2003 and serving as consort to Bev during her mayoral term from 2009 to 2010.
Howel’s influence extended to his family and beyond. A memorable piece of advice he gave—“read the Manchester Guardian”—left a lasting impression on his nephew, who continues this habit to this day. Howel is survived by his wife Bev, his children Helen, Richard, Mark, and Hilary, Bev’s children Catherine and Alister, 17 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and his sister Gwenda
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