William Edward Hopkin (1862-1951)

Edward Hopkin, born 12th June 1862, was the son of Henry Hopkin who was listed in White`s Directory of 1894 as 'postmaster, bookseller, stationer and bootmaker'. Henry was postmaster for 34 years until 1918. His daughter, Louisa, became postmistress in 1925 until she retired in 1944.

William joined the family business at the age of eighteen, and through the years became a Town Councillor, a County Councillor (where his many years of service were recognised when he was made County Alderman), School Governor and Justice of the Peace for the county. He was Nottinghamshire County Councillor for Eastwood for more than 20 years.

William was famous throughout the Midlands as an independent social reformer, writer, broadcaster, wit, poet and naturalist. His wide circle of friends encompassed peers, tramps, renowned literary figures and, above all, colliers and farmers amongst whom he lived at Eastwood.

The young William Edward is pictured here outside the shop at 24 Nottingham Road with his father.

William and his wife Sallie befriended the young D. H. Lawrence and remained loyal confidants throughout the writer`s life. Lawrence`s indebtedness to the Hopkins is clear in many of the letters which now form part of the Lawrence collection at Eastwood Library.

Further evidence of his affection for the couple is shown in the inscriptions on many of the signed first editions also on show in the collection.

Many of Lawrence`s books in the Lawrence collection bear William Hopkin`s personal ownership mark in the form of this caricature. (Right)

For many years, William contributed his "Rambling Notes" and "Rhymes of Truthful Bill" to the Eastwood and Kimberley Advertiser.

In 1950, at the age of 88, William Hopkin laid the foundation stone for the Eastwood War Memorial Cottages. The photograph (above) shows Mr Cecil Howitt making a presentation to Mr Hopkin at the stone laying ceremony on Saturday 24th June 1950. The cottages themselves were opened by Her Grace the Duchess of Portland on 23rd September 1950.

Information from "Around Old Eastwood" and "Eastwood - More Recollections" published by the Eastwood Historical Society, and "Eastwood - A Pictorial View 1889/1989" published by Nottinghamshire County Council Leisure Services.