Cater (for) District Council ??

[fairkatrina]

I've found an ancestor with an odd occupation and I'm wondering if someone can help me. On the 1901 census his occupation is 'carter district council' (in an area where I can't find a place called 'carter' I'd like to add) so I assume that's shorthand i.e. carter for the district council; the on the 1911 census he's listed as 'carter udc of hoylake' (I assume that's ?upton? district council of hoylake) I know he lived in a house attached to the electric light works, and in the next house (also part of the light works properties) lived the foreman of the gas works, but I don't get what a carter of a council would do, or what that has to do with the electric works ??? can anyone help?

[boxtops]

A carter used to be a man who drove a cart, so perhaps he drove the horse and cart with parts etc., for the council?

[dotty.]

lol he probably brought coal to the electric company from the pits

[fairkatrina]

possibly dot, I assumed that would count as private enterprise, but I suppose I need to see who owned the elec light works to know for sure

[ABerrant]

UDC = Urban District Council

Prior to the 1947 nationalisation of electricity generating bodies, local power generation and supply was provided by private companies and municipal plants. In 1947 Hoylake UDC generating plant was amalgamated with others in the area to form Merseyside & North Wales Electricity Board (later to become MANWEB).

[TheOtherHalf]

Are you able to check the 1911 census to see if the info is any clearer ?

[craft1948]

One of my ancestors was a carter for the council in York. I think he mainly transported stone from the council depot to various sites around the city.

[fairkatrina]

thanks all, otherhalf, the info I have is from the 1911 census :-(