Berry Brow Liberal Club
Berry Brow Liberal Club
The Berry Brow Liberal Club appears to have been inaugurated alongside a larger group of Liberal Clubs within the Huddersfield area in 1874 as reported in the Huddersfield Chronicle in January that year.
Prior to the Berry Brow Liberal Club formation in 1874, the Berry Brow Liberal Association was in existence. It met in the houses of its members and eventually in the old schoolroom which was tenanted by Matthew Bradley. Political discussions, recreational games such as draughts,
“puff and dart”
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| Charles Henry Jones, First Mayor of Huddersfield. |
It was presided over by the Mayor, Charles Henry Jones (the first Mayor of Huddersfield) and several other Aldermen and Councillors were present including Wright Mellor, who went on to become Mayor between 1883 to 1884 and again 1886 to 1887) and Thomas Denham who was mayor between 1880 to 1881.
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Wright Mellor,
Mayor of Huddersfield 1883 - 1884, 1886 - 1887
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Entertainments throughout the evening were provided by
a “glee party”
The Liberal Party had suffered a great defeat by the Conservatives in the general election of that year and this had set about a movement throughout the country for the formation of Liberal Clubs. George Brook, junior, and Alfred Hirst kindly offered financial and influential support to any committee forming a club in Huddersfield. The members of this association were among the first to take up the offer of aid from Messrs Brook and Hirst. A public meeting of Liberal in the area was called and this resulted in the formation of the Liberal Club and a committee was formed which included a President - Elliot Hirst; Vice presidents John Stringer and Charles Edwards; correspondence secretary Andrew Atha; Minute secretary Nathan Hirst; Financial secretary Allen Priest; and Junior Treasurer Thomas Shaw.
The first meeting of the club was held on the 9th March 1874 when it was decided to secure some premises for the club. Eventually negotiations were made to acquire two ordinary dwelling houses which with suitable alterations could be arranged to accommodate the club. The club premises were opened the following April and the opening was celebrated with a supper for members and friends on the 29th June that year. In due course the club acquired a
“bagatelle” table
through the kindness of Allan Priest who gave the club a loan and a gift to enable its purchase. Outdoor recreation was provided by the creation of a
“skittle ground”
with the game being very popular throughout the summer months.
As well as recreation through games the club also provided for the social enjoyment of its members whilst never losing sight of its political objectives. Its promoters and members had always been a part of the campaigns for elections whether local or general, school board or Parliamentary. It was reported that the membership contained many
“earnest reformers ready to sacrifice anything in
their power to promote and benefit the cause of true Liberalism.”
The resolution book from the period showed a record of
“good and faithful service and which very much conduced to the
advancement of the cause.”
Huddersfield
Chronicle 1 January 1870 & 10 January 1874; Huddersfield Daily Examiner 17
December 1895
The Liberal Club held its annual meeting in the form of a tea party followed by a meeting and entertainment in January 1876. It was held in the old day school and around 120 people were present with John Stringer as President. Various addresses were given with popular music and recitations given in between to
“enhance the
pleasure of the evening.”
The event was repeated in the same format at the Salem Sunday School in March 1877. The
“tea party”
had 300 people present and
the meeting was presided over by Alderman Woodhead, the Mayor of
Huddersfield. When Nathan Hirst the club
secretary read the annual report to the gathering he stated that there were
“90
good members”
By the annual meeting of 1879 the membership had fallen to 83. The club members, friends and family, numbering 200 people in all, gathered in the Salem Schoolroom for tea followed by a
“soiree.”
“the club financially is in a fairly
prosperous state.”
“keep steadfast to their principles and cultivate
the ability to be able to stand by them at any time.”
During the evening two “rising” young members of the Liberal party addressed the gathering, Ernest Woodhead, M.A., and Daniel Frederick Edward Sykes, LLB. The Huddersfield Chronicle reported them as
“towering head and shoulders
over their seniors, and like colts unbroken to the bit and rein, they were very
active and frisky. Their superior
education was seen in the terseness and elegance of their sentences.”
One spoke with great knowledge on
“Organisation”
whilst the other quoted Shakespeare and compared the then Prime
Minister to
“a boil, a plague sore and embossed carbuncle!”
The paper urged the young men to remain in
obscurity for a few years to learn and moderate their views and impose a check
on their ambition! It would seem that they were a bit too outspoken and radical
for Huddersfield and Berry Brow. The
Chronicle went on to say that
“the adolescent master of art and bachelor of law
-------- must do the cause of Liberalism greater harm than good by airing their
crude opinions and extravagant eloquence before the public.”
Interesting
to note that one of these young firebrands, Ernest Woodhead, went on in local
politics and became a town councillor and an Alderman, becoming Mayor of Huddersfield between 1901to 1902. He was the son of Joseph Woodhead, who was also a prominent Liberal and MP for Spen Valley. When Ernest Woodhead addressed a meeting at the club in 1886 he was well received on that occasion.
On another occasion in December 1879 the Huddersfield Chronicle described Sykes as
In addition to political addresses and debate the Armitage Bridge Glee Union provided entertainment throughout the evening. Huddersfield Chronicle 11 & 15 February 1879
On another occasion in December 1879 the Huddersfield Chronicle described Sykes as
"a young and rising solicitor, an extreme Radical in
politics, and a speaker who believes that moderation is a sign of
chicken-heartedness, and political chivalry a survival of medieval darkness and
superstition."
In addition to political addresses and debate the Armitage Bridge Glee Union provided entertainment throughout the evening. Huddersfield Chronicle 11 & 15 February 1879
By 1880 the club needed a larger home and negotiations began for acquiring new premises. The agreement for the new building was signed at a general meeting on 24th March 1881. These new premises needed to be equipped before the move and so the club planned to raise £1000 to do this by selling shares of 10s each subscribed by the members which they readily responded to. The club took up its new residence the following August. Huddersfield Daily Examiner 17 December 1895
The annual “soirees” continued to be held and reported in the local press. The reports give a view of these social occasions and also a report on the progress and success of the club. In December 1881 the soiree was once again held in the Salem New Connexion Methodist Schoolroom. On this occasion the annual event was combined with the club celebrating the opening of a larger clubroom. Alderman John Varley presided over the evening and W. Hirst gave the annual report.
He referred to the increased accommodation provided for the member who at that point numbered 176 which was an increase of 80 over the year. The club had made an outlay of £86 14s 6d for the
“fitting up”
of the new premises
and some of the cost had been covered by members buying shares amounting to £50
and Edward Aldam Leatham contributing a
donation of £10. When the chairman
addressed the crowd he spoke in favour of the extension of the franchise in the
counties, the redistribution of seats and the
“acquirement of female suffrage”.
Huddersfield Chronicle 3 December 1881
Other social occasions included billiards, whist, draughts and chess matches against other clubs, sometimes at Berry Brow and sometimes as visitors to other premises. Berry Brow was the host to one of these events in March 1886 when members of Lindley Liberal Club competed against the home members. These matches were also held between the Liberal and Conservative Clubs as was the case of a billiards match in March 1887 when Berry Liberal Club played host to berry Brow and Armitage Bridge Conservative Club in a friendly match. It was reported in the local press that
“the
characteristic of the evening’s enjoyment was the good feeling which prevailed
on both sides.”
After the matches all the players enjoyed
“substantial
refreshments”
By 1914 these matches had evolved and had become a real social occasion. Skelmanthorpe Liberal Club visited Berry Brow that year and the club provided tea for around forty people at the half time interval in the games and then concluded with musical entertainment.
As well as social events the club held regular lectures given by a variety of speaker’s addressing a variety of political issues of the time.
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| Lydia Becker |
In February 1881 Lydia Becker of Manchester and a leader of the early British Suffrage Movement, gave a lecture to a large audience at the club on
“The claims of women to be
admitted to the parliamentary franchise.”
She was well received at the club and after her lecture a resolution in favour of women having the franchise and a petition to the House of Commons were adopted by the gathering.
Ernest Woodhead delivered a lecture on “Ireland” in the Town School, Berry Brow in March 1886. The school was crowded with a very attentive audience and C. W. Lidgate presided and introduced Woodhead. The speaker traced the history of Ireland and its relationship with Britain showing how the grievances had arisen over the years and those grievances that were more recent.
November of that year saw William Blakey of Paddock deliver a lecture on “President Lincoln” to another crowded meeting presided over by John Hirst. Blakey kept the attention of his audience for over an hour and at its conclusion was loudly cheered and applauded.
In December 1886 another lecture was delivered by E. F. Brook on “Land Law Reform” which was attended by a large crowd and was greatly appreciated.
The following weekend saw the club enjoying its annual tea party again in the Salem Schoolrooms followed by a public meeting in the same venue at which William Summers, MP for Huddersfield; D. J. Sweeney of Dublin who represented the Irish National Land League, attended.
Alderman Charles Glenndinning chaired the meeting which was held before a crowded audience. Glenndinning gave a short speech in which he spoke out against the opposition that they met from the women of the Primrose League regarding the Irish question. His opinion was that this organisation was illegal and he considered that the legal authorities of the country should get rid of the League!
W. Summers, took a quite opposite view whilst saying that although he did not approve of the objects or methods of the Primrose League, he admired the energy and energy of those involved and urged the ladies involved in Liberal principles and to take interest in politics thus following the example of the Primrose League but promoting Liberal values. However the main aim of the public meeting appears to have been to discuss and consider the
“Irish
Question”
Mr Sweeney addressed the crowd and reviewed the provisions of Gladstone’s Home Rule Bill and described the manner in which this would have been applied to Ireland had they become law. He went on to second the resolution which was then was passed unanimously. This meeting was the second such gathering to be held in the area that day as Summers and Sweeney had addressed a large gathering at the Lockwood and Salford Liberal Club earlier in the afternoon on the same subject. Leeds Times 19 February 1881; Huddersfield Daily Examiner 24 March, 20 November 1886, 17 & 21 December 1886, 17 March 1914; London Daily News and Leeds Mercury 20 December 1886; Manchester Times 24 December 1886; Huddersfield Chronicle 30 March 1887
In 1893 the club held its annual tea party in the Co Operative Hall, Berry Brow at which about 150 people were present. A “substantial tea” was enjoyed before a concert was given by a range of artistes including Miss Wilkinson, soprano; the Arion Quartet (Messrs Threapleton, Ackroyde, Burnley and Stott) and Henry Oswald a
"prize
humourist"
and comedian from Manchester who performed a number of “character songs”
accompanied by Haigh Littlewood. After
the concert a ball was held where people enjoyed dancing until “an early hour.”
These annual tea parties continued and became increasingly popular with members and their friends and families. The event in 1901 had over 200 people enjoying a
“nicely
served tea”
which was followed again by a concert which was reported as having
had a “large audience.” Huddersfield
Daily Examiner 21 January 1893 & 17 December 1901In order to select a candidate for the Municipal Elections a large public meeting was held at the club in October 1894. Councillor John Hirst’s term of office was expiring and he gave an address to the crowd on municipal matters. Afterwards a vote of thanks was made to him and a unanimous resolution was given to re-nominate Councillor John Hirst as the candidate in the forthcoming election.
To mark its
“Coming of Age”
A “sumptuous supper”
was
prepared by the Black Bull Inn and served by Mrs Wright Lee to a large crowd,
who was afterwards given a “hearty” vote of thanks. After supper the crowd adjourned to the
billiard room of the club, which was well filled. The President, Charles Berry, chaired the proceedings and spoke about the history
of the club and urging the members to congratulate themselves on the progress
that the club had made since its formation. The club in 1895 was well furnished, including
two billiard tables which were regarded as being the best in the district along
with other facilities for recreational games and amusements. The club still out emphasis on the facilities
available to members for political discussion and education and aimed to
“use
every endeavour to advance the cause of political freedom which be it said was
the cause for the existence of the club.”
“good musical style”
and
“warmly applauded by the company.”
Huddersfield Daily Examiner 17 December
1895
James Taylor was a staunch Liberal and a very active worker in municipal politics for over forty years. He was well known and respected throughout Berry Brow and held the position of President of the Berry Brow Liberal Club for several years. He was involved in nearly every municipal and “Guardians” election in which the village of Berry Brow was concerned. Taylor was an enthusiastic supporter of the Liberal cause and a valuable worker in many Parliamentary Elections, not only for the Berry Brow Ward but throughout the Huddersfield constituency.
James Taylor joined the town council in February 1903 on the occasion of a by-election in what was then the Almondbury and Newsome Ward. Taylor had served nine months and his term of office was coming to an end when he addressed a large meeting of ratepayers in 1903 which was held at the club. It was reported that he gave a
“lengthy and racy report”
“hearty and unanimous”
After this he was twice returned to office unopposed and when the new ward scheme was introduced in 1909 he successfully contested the new Newsome Ward. In December 1911 Taylor was elected to the
“aldermanic
bench”.
“tenor voice of good range.”
Taylor was one of the founders of the Berry Brow Old Folks Treat, which had been instigated around 1887 and which both political clubs Conservative and Liberal in Berry Brow supported. The event was held annually each January usually in the Salem Methodist New Connexion Schoolroom.
A report of one of these “treats” in 1903 stated that a
“sumptuous meat tea awaited the guests.”
“the ladies and gentlemen of both political parties
mutually co-operated to promote the brightness, happiness and comfort of their
aged guests.”
The invitations were sent only to those residents of Berry Brow of all walks of life who were aged over 60. In 1903 two hundred and forty five invites had been sent out and responses were received from one hundred and forty four of them. Fifty six people who were unable to be there due to illness had had their teas taken to their homes. Everything for these occasions was provided by contributions and donations from club members and volunteers. The opinion of that time was that age was due not only respect but that everyone should
“always and in every way render to old age its proper
estimation and dignity”
and that the aim of these gatherings was to
“engender
mutual regard and sympathy between old and young.”
When James Taylor died in June 1917 his death was greatly mourned by the club and the community of Berry Brow. Huddersfield Chronicle 12 October 1894; Huddersfield Daily Examiner 13 January, 2 October 1903 & 7 June 1917.
The Berry Brow Liberal Club is still in existence at 6 Parkgate, Berry Brow, Huddersfield.
Berry Brow Liberal Club and WW1
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| War Memorial, St Paul's Church, Armitage Bridge. Kirklees Council 2010 |
Herman Sanderson (1891 – 1916) of Berry Brow was a member of the Liberal Club when he enlisted in April 1916 for active service and served in the 5th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders in WW1. Herman was a confectioner working at Messrs Whiteley’s of Westgate, Huddersfield and a well-known vocalist in the area. He embarked for France in September 1916 and died from his wounds on 16th November at number 49 Casualty Clearing Station. Herman was just 25 years old, and had served at the Western Front for just three months. He is buried in Contay British Cemetery. Herman was the son of Joseph and Eliza Sanderson. He had married Lilian Mayall at High Street Chapel, Huddersfield on 20th July 1913 and had two small children at the time of his death.
Herman was one of a pair of twins and it was said by his family that his twin had collapsed at the time of Herman’s death, knowing instinctively when he died. He had two brothers who also served in WW1, his twin, Albert who was in the same regiment and Norman who served with a local battalion and was wounded in action. Both of his brothers survived the war.
Herman is remembered with his name on the memorial at St Paul’s Church, Armitage Bridge Huddersfield. Huddersfield Daily Examiner23 November 1916, UK census 1891, 1901 and 1911.
https://www.everyoneremembered.org/profiles/soldier/81867/
https://huddersfield.exposed/wiki/Herman_Sanderson_(c.1891-1916)
https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/139595
https://huddersfield.exposed/wiki/Daniel_Frederick_Edward_Sykes_(1856-1920)
