Lee, Rothwell – Brought thousands of jobs to Grantham

Rothwell Lee (1881-1963)

ROTHWELL Lee was the grandson of the founder of John Lee and Son (Grantham) Ltd and continued to run the family business.

The company was in recycling and is especially remembered for rabbit skins, which were left to dry in the open windows alongside Hands Yard, a path from St Peter’s Hill to Welby Street. These pelts were used to trim hats.

It was a job which took him across the world.

His father William had been Mayor in 1906-07, a post Rothwell took in 1930-31, after 19 years serving on the council.

It was a time when Grantham’s engineering industry was on its knees and he banded together fellow councillors to bring major employers into town.

These included Bjorlow tanneries, Bmarco, Neal’s Cranes and the amalgamation of two struggling companies in Peterborough and Rochester to form Aveling-Barford. The later was obliged to buy their engines from Ruston & Hornsby, which helped another struggling local engineering works.

He remained on the town council, latterly as an alderman, until 1955.

He was appointed a magistrate in 1933 and was a foundation governor of the King’s School.

He was a ceaseless supporter of Grantham Hospital and when the NHS was formed in 1946 he was appointed the first chairman of the hospital management committee.

A Freemason, he was one of the oldest member of Doric Lodge and the Rose Croix.

He was also a supporter of the Zion Independent Church, Castlegate.