Mr Howard was a preacher on the mission circuit who led a service at the Glad Tidings Mission Hall in May 1966. The circuit, in association with Weatherfield County Borough Council, had recently changed the mission and was making it a combined community centre for the residents with evening classes and play groups for mothers. Ena Sharples strongly objected, feeling that the hall should only be used for religious purposes. This upset social worker Ruth Winter who came to Coronation Street enthused with ideas but found it impossible to establish a working relationship with Ena, who handed her the keys and moved into No.5 with Minnie Caldwell.