Municipal Borough of Acton facts for kids
| Acton | |
| Motto: Floreat Actona (May Acton flourish) | |
| Actontownhall2.jpg | |
 Acton within Middlesex in 1961 |
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| Geography | |
| Status | Local board (1865 to 1894) Urban district (1894 to 1921) Municipal borough (from 1921) Civil parish |
| 1894 area | 2,305 acres (9.3 km2) |
| 1965 area | 2,320 acres (9.4 km2) |
| History | |
| Created | 1894 |
| Abolished | 1965 |
| Succeeded by | London Borough of Ealing |
Quick facts for kids Demography |
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|---|---|
| 1901 population | 37,744 |
| 1961 population | 65,586 |
 Arms of the borough council |
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Acton was a special area in Middlesex, England, that managed its own local affairs. It was a "local government district" from 1865 until 1965. This means it had its own council to make decisions for the people living there.
Contents
How Acton's Local Government Started
In 1865, the people of Acton decided to take charge of their local area. They used a law called the Local Government Act 1858. This law allowed them to create a "local board of health." This board had twelve members and helped manage things like public health and sanitation.
Becoming an Urban District
Later, in 1894, a new law called the Local Government Act 1894 changed things again. Acton became an "urban district." This meant it had an "urban district council" with fifteen elected members. This council took over from the old local board. In 1906, the number of council members grew to sixteen.
Becoming a Municipal Borough
In 1921, Acton was given a special "charter of incorporation." This made it a "municipal borough." A borough is a town that has been given special rights to govern itself. The new borough council included a mayor, six "aldermen" (experienced council members), and twenty-four "councillors" (elected representatives).
Acton's Special Coat of Arms
When Acton became a borough in 1921, it received its very own coat of arms. This special design was created by the College of Arms.
Symbols on the Shield
The main part of the coat of arms, called the shield, showed an oak tree. The top part, called the crest, had an oak branch. These oak symbols were chosen because the name "Acton" comes from "Oak Town." It was a way to show the town's history.
At the very top of the shield, you could see parts of the arms of Middlesex County Council. This showed Acton's connection to the wider county. There was also an open book, representing education, and a cogwheel, showing the importance of industry in Acton.
Sharing the Design
In 1926, the Acton council allowed a village in Canada, Acton, Ontario, to use a similar coat of arms. The Canadian version changed the oak leaves to maple leaves. This was a nice way to connect the two places.
Acton's Later Years
Before the Second World War, the Conservative Party usually ran the Acton borough council. After the war, the Labour Party won more elections and took control.
In 1965, the municipal borough of Acton was officially ended. Its area became part of Greater London. Acton joined with other nearby districts to form the London Borough of Ealing. The oak tree from Acton's old coat of arms is now part of the coat of arms of the London Borough of Ealing.
See also
