Heckmondwike Liberal Club

Heckmondwike Liberal Club.

Heckmondwike Liberal Association was in existence in 1869 when they held a large banquet in the Freemason’s Hall.  About three hundred men sat down to dinner and afterwards a “large number of ladies” were admitted. Mr H. S. Thompson of Kirkby Hall was the main guest and when he made his entrance to the hall he was loudly cheered. It was reported by the Leeds Mercury that throughout the evening the “greatest enthusiasm prevailed”.   The hall had been decorated especially for the event and had a banner that read 

“Peace and goodwill to all nations” 

hanging above the principal table. The names of the principal members of the Liberal party, such as Gladstone, Bright and Argyll, decorated the walls along with those of the local candidates, Thompson and Holden.   Leeds Mercury 7 January 1869

A similar gathering occurred in 1879 when there was a public meeting held in the Freemason’s Hall under the auspices of Heckmondwike Liberal Association. There was a large attendance at the meeting and George Burnley chaired it in the absence of the President L. H. Firth. Leeds Mercury 25 April 1879

In March 1880 the Heckmondwike Liberal Association held “public soiree” to celebrate the anniversary of its foundation in the Freemason’s Hall, Heckmondwike. Tea was served and then it was followed by a public meeting with Mr L. H. Firth presiding.  There was a very large attendance.  Leeds Mercury 4 March 1880

A banquet was held at the Freemason’s Hall in Heckmondwike in 1880 under the auspices of Heckmondwike Liberal Association to celebrate the return of the Liberal candidate Sir John W Ramsden, Bart and Sir Andrew Fairbairn as members for the Eastern Division of the West Riding of Yorkshire. There was a large crowd present including ladies who were seated in the gallery of the hall.  Leeds Times 1 May 1880

In 1881 at the time of William E Gladstone’s visit to Leeds, the club was represented at the meeting and this was reported in the York Herald on 8 October 1881.

A meeting of Liberals was held at Heckmondwike in 1887 and described as “a magnificent” event in Leeds Mercury 21 November 1887 due the large numbers attending.  It was reported that there was between 2000 and 3000 present at the meeting and the fact that a “resolution” was carried without a single voice of dissent.

Although a Liberal Club and Liberal Association is mentioned in news reports prior to 1891 a report in the Yorkshire Post in May 1891 tells of a proposal to form a “Liberal Club” although there is very little detail nor a location for the club.  Yorkshire Post 1 May 1891

In 1898 a fundraising garden party had been arranged by the club, and this was to be held at Mount Villa, Liversedge, and the home of Josiah Rhodes.  Unfortunately it had to be cancelled due to bad weather, however members took tea in the Temperance Hall.  Afterwards the members discussed how they could raise funds to pay off the clubs debts. Josiah Rhodes is also mentioned in connection to Hightown Liberal Club .  Leeds Times 3 September 1898

In 1899 the Women’s Liberal Association was asked to assist in raising funds for additional furniture for new club premises for Heckmondwike Liberal Club.  The Liberal Club had taken a tenancy on a building which had previously been used as offices for the school board.  Bradford Daily Telegraph 4 February 1904.  No mention is made of the location of these premises.

At the 1903 annual meeting it was reported that there had been 

“extraordinary expenditure” 

throughout the year and a bank balance of £4.  One wonders what this extraordinary expenditure entailed. Leeds Mercury 31 October 1903. 
 In 1904 the annual report showed an income of £122 and a profit of £10.

 

In 1928 Sir John Simon visited the Heckmondwike Club for a Liberal meeting.  He was photographed outside before the meeting with his wife, Lady Simon, Mr B. Sugden, Mrs Sugden, Mr C. Thackray and Mr G. W. Rolling.  Leeds Mercury 2 May 1928