A MEMBER of an old Stourport Methodist family, Jim was born in Wilden village.
He was educated in local Stourport schools and then King Charles I and Kidderminster High Schools.
Later he was a student at Bristol University, where he gained a BA (Hons) degree.
He then became an officer in the RAF and RAFVR.
By profession a schoolmaster, he was headteacher of two Birmingham schools and a lecturer at Warley College, Smethwick.
A member of the lecturers' union NATFHE, he became college chairman and then chairman of the West Midlands region.
When 23 years old he was elected as an Independent to Stourport UDC. He represented the Mitton Ward on Wyre Forest District Council from 1979 until 1992 and on the county council from 1981 until 1993.
He was chairman of the district council and Mayor of Stourport.
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