Burrows, Fred – Top engine driver was twice Mayor of Grantham

Fred Burrows (1920-2005)

FRED Burrows worked for the railway for 50 years, and retired as a mainline driver. He was one of the first to drive the Mallard and regularly drove the Flying Scotsman.
First elected into public office in May 1971 when he joined Grantham Borough Council, he became a South Kesteven district councillor for St Anne’s ward in 1973 and remained so until his death.

He was mayor in both 1978-79 and 1988-89.

His wife Margaret was mayoress during his first term but following her death in August 1984, his daughter Christine Bedells and daughter-in-law Valerie Burrows took the role for the second occasion.

Mr Burrows was also a county councillor from 1973 to 1977 and from 1989 until 1997.
He was combative in the council chamber and always rose to his feet to speak in debates, even in committees. He was passionate about Grantham and especially transport and to emphasise his points invariably used the phrase “make no mistake about it”.
A member of the Labour Party since 1947, he was angered in 1995 when he was de-selected by the along with four others.

He continued first as Independent Labour, then as an independent standing against the official party candidate – which led to his expulsion from the party.