The community of Clitheroe and the wider political and religious spheres are mourning the loss of Howel Jones, a man of profound faith and public service, who died at the age of 96.
A Life Built on Faith and Service
Born in the Liverpool suburb of Childwall to Welsh-speaking parents, Dilys and Eames Jones, Howel's commitment to Christianity began early. Despite not understanding the Welsh services at his local chapel, religion became the bedrock of his life. At just 16, he felt a calling to become a local preacher at the newly established Childwall Valley Methodist church.
After leaving Holt grammar school, a stint in banking, and national service, Howel sought a more fulfilling path. He enrolled at Westminster College, London, in 1951 to train as a teacher. Upon qualifying, he returned to his roots, teaching at Dovedale Primary School in Liverpool.
From Kenyan Mission to Lancashire Classrooms
It was at church that Howel met fellow teacher Maxine Headey, whom he married in 1956. Driven by their faith, the couple, now with a baby daughter, embarked on missionary work in Meru, Kenya, in 1959. There, Howel took on the significant responsibility of district supervisor of schools, despite having only six years of teaching experience. Their family grew with the birth of two sons before they returned to Britain in 1963.
Howel's teaching career continued to flourish back in the UK. He taught at St Thomas’ C of E primary in Kendal, where the couple's fourth child was born, before the family moved to Clitheroe. There, he served as deputy head of St James’ primary school and later as headteacher at both Daisyfield primary in Blackburn and the brand new Brookside primary in Clitheroe until 1983.
Dedication to Local Politics and Community
Retirement from teaching marked the beginning of a new chapter of extensive public service. Howel became a Liberal Democrat councillor for an impressive 21 years from 1982, representing Clitheroe town and the Ribble Valley Borough. His political dedication was unwavering; he led the local Liberal Democrats for 17 years and served as mayor of Clitheroe on two separate occasions and as mayor of Ribble Valley, all while maintaining his active role in the Methodist church at local and national levels.
His life was struck by tragedy in 1987 when his brother, Glyn, and his wife, Maxine, died within weeks of each other. From this profound loss came a new beginning. Howel visited his brother's widow, Beverley, in New Zealand, and they married in 1992, returning to Clitheroe together. He continued his service, becoming an honorary alderman and acting as consort when Bev was mayor of Ribble Valley.
Howel Jones is survived by his wife, Bev, his four children, Helen, Richard, Mark, and Hilary, Bev's two children, 17 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and his sister, Gwenda. He will be remembered as a man who seamlessly wove his deep Methodist faith into a life of education, local government, and devoted family commitment, leaving a lasting legacy in his community.
