Holmfirth Working Men's Liberal Club and Association

Holmfirth Postcard,

Kirklees Image Archive

The idea for a Liberal Club in Holmfirth first appears in 1872 when placards and advertisements were placed around the village and in the local press expressing the wish to form a Working Men’s Liberal Club in Holmfirth. The placards read...

“All persons desirous of re-establishing the Holmfirth Working Men’s Club are urgently requested to attend a meeting at the Collins Temperance Hotel on Thursday evening, February 22^nd 1872 at half past seven o’clock.”  

The placards caused some outcry as the previous working men’s club had been non-political and so this re-establishment was not that at all, but the formation of a political club in its stead, although this was after some debate at the public meeting. The meeting went ahead at the Temperance Hotel and resolutions were passed for the formation of the club. The first was:

“That a club be formed and styled The Holmfirth Working Men’s Liberal Club.  Second “that arrangements be made forthwith to secure suitable premises for its accommodation, and that it will be opened as soon as possible.”  

The pro-tem secretary Samuel Boothroyd went on to “express a hope that every energy will be exerted in assisting to establish the Liberal Club."

Rooms for the club were obtained at the top of Victoria Street, Holmfirth, and it opened on 4th March 1872. The rooms that they had secured were in a central position at the head of Victoria Street, making it convenient for members. They consisted of three rooms which were comfortable and used respectively for reading, playing games and smoking and were supplied with a variety of newspapers and games for members use.

The club was inaugurated on the 2nd April 1872 and the members celebrated with a tea in the schoolroom under the United Methodist Free Church with around 150 people in attendance. This was followed by a meeting in the large room of the town hall.

The Huddersfield Daily Examiner reported that despite the poor weather there was a fair attendance at both venues. The meeting was chaired by John Harpin and with him on the platform were Rev. J. Freestone of Manchester, Rev T W Holmes of Marsden, Samuel Wimpenny who was chairman of the club, J Snowden of Halifax, S. S. Booth and others. The Holmfirth Temperance Bell Ringers were present at the event and performed during the evening. Harpin addressed the meeting and said that the need to form a Liberal Club in Holmfirth had been felt for some time. Samuel Wimpenny in his speech stated his hope...

“that the working men would make the club self-supporting” and that “the number of members enrolled was 131, a most encouraging fact.”

The intention of the club was to provide lectures on political subjects during the winter months. When Rev T W Holmes spoke he said the club...

“was not intended to attract boys from the Mechanics Institute nor hurt any educational institution. But to afford an opportunity for grown men and young men who were springing into manhood, of meeting together and discussing political questions.  It would not be their object to checkmate each other over the chess board, but to check every bad movement which happened to be going on around them. These Liberal Clubs were a great educational force and a wonderful power, and he hoped to see them become more powerful. The days of lecturing were over ---- what working class men wanted now was conversation upon public questions.” 

Rev. John Freestone also expressed the benefits of political working men’s clubs saying they “drew men away from the public house and encouraged habits of sobriety.”

(See Huddersfield Chronicle 2 March & 6 April 1872; Huddersfield Daily Examiner 5 April 1872; Huddersfield Daily Examiner 18 July 1895)

Rev T W Holmes was a guest of the club again in November 1873 when the club hosted its “annual demonstration” in the town hall, the second one of its kind by the club. A public tea was first provided in the hall in the afternoon, at which about 150 persons were present. Miss Booth, confectioner, Upper Bridge, supplied the meal which was of a very good quality and was served by the ladies associated with the club.

After tea a meeting was held in the hall in front of a large audience. John Thorpe Taylor, the president of the club, chaired the meeting and accompanying him on the platform were Lydia Becker, of Manchester, the Rev. J. Colville, Messrs. H. Butterworth, T. Mellor, W. McNish, Alfred Wood, the Rev. T. W. Holmes, Moore Sykes, of Huddersfield, and Samuel Boothroyd, the secretary. John Thorpe Taylor opened the meeting and addressed the crowd saying...

“that they had heard lately that the division line between political parties was gradually growing fainter. But he asked if the reverse was not the case. He believed they were now on the eve of a great political struggle that was nearing, the eve of a general election. They ought to make themselves masters of political matters, so as to be prepared for that time.”

This was followed by the Rev T W Holmes who alluded to two significant events of the time the return of Mr Bright to public life and Disraeli’s speeches in Glasgow. The reverends remarks were full of humour and direct attacks on the Conservative party. He likened Disraeli’s utterances to

“those of a person who asked others a riddle to guess and when they gave it up he smiled idiotically and said he did not know it himself.” 

He went on to state that the “Tories in the same way did not know their own policy.” He continued by referring to the Education Act saying

“that the country did not wish to pay for the propagation of different religious opinions in different parts of the country, but in secular education Government ought to put down denominationalism.”  

Holmes said that Gladstone was one such person “whose mind had been warped by religious education, while Mr. Bright had not been so educated, and he therefore saw things more clearly.”

Lydia Becker

Lydia Becker was introduced to the audience by the chairman and was received with loud applause. She first touched upon the general questions of Liberal policy, saying that the Conservatives could do without a policy, but Liberals could not. Lydia Becker then passed on to the question of national education, referring to the opposite opinions of Gladstone and Bright as to denominational schools being supported by the State. She said that her three years’ experience of the working of the 25th clause of the Education Act in Manchester, had convinced her that the clause must be repealed in favour of a national system of education, but it should not be unconditionally repealed. If perpetuated, it would certainly do great mischief. She was in favour of no money being paid to any schools not being public bodies, and to have all schools under School Boards. No doubt this would be more costly, but they ought not to be afraid of spending the money. It would take a great deal more to educate the Ashanti’s than the English, and she would rather spend the money in England than on the Gold Coast. She believed that the Ministers had not yet made up their minds what they would do next. They looked to meetings like that to know what the country desired them to do. Whatever measures were right and practicable and nearest solution ought to be carried out first. She was for evolution and not for revolution. Lydia Becker also referred to the questions of the disestablishment of the English Church and of international arbitration. In speaking of Parliamentary reform, she said there must be many in Holmfirth as willing to vote at elections as dwellers in cellars in Manchester were. The question of the extension of the county franchise was closely connected with the question in which she took most interest – the removal of the electoral disabilities of women. They had household suffrage in boroughs, but, strange to say, it did not include all householders. It was inconsistent that 6,000 female householders in Manchester should be debarred from the franchise. It was said that women were not fit to have the franchise, because they were under the influence of priests; but then it was the priests that ought to be disenfranchised, and not the women. If the men of Holmfirth wanted votes for themselves, let them not leave out the women. In primary schools girls were placed at a disadvantage to boys, because less was paid for their instruction, and in higher education it was much worse, for no such colleges and training for professions were provided for women as men, so that they could not rise together; the men were elevated, while the women remained at a lower level. But a Nemesis would overtake the nation which did not provide equally for the women and the men, for the women would drag the men backwards if they could not rise with them. At the conclusion of her address, she was again loudly applauded.

(See Huddersfield Chronicle, 28 November 1873)

William Henry Leatham

Henry Frederick Beaumont

In February 1874 Henry Frederick Beaumont and William Henry Leatham, the Liberal candidates for the parliamentary representation of the Southern Division of the West Riding visited Holmfirth and addressed a crowded meeting at the club.  A Liberal Demonstration was held in their honour with yellow and red colours being displayed from the windows of various buildings and houses in the village whilst amongst a number of mounted politicians was one enthusiastic member dressed completely in a yellow suit! When  John Thorpe Taylor introduced Beaumont to the gathered crowd he said that 

“he was reminded by what he saw before him that day of the election of 1868, when the people of Holmfirth gathered in their thousands to listen to the addresses of Lord Milton and Mr Beaumont, who were then their candidates.” 

On that occasion they had been successfully returned to parliament for the district. Both candidates addressed the crowd and stated their intentions and policies. After their speeches they took questions from the audience and a vote of confidence was given to them by the crowd.

Holmfirth Station, 1918

The club hosted a different type of event in September when 1200 people, some associated with the club and others who were John Thorpe Taylor’s work force plus a considerable number of other mill hands from the village, left Holmfirth station on the club’s first excursion.

A special fast train left the station around 5am to visit the great port of Liverpool. Arrangements had been made for trip ticket holders to go on board and tour the large ocean steamers of the Cunard, Inman and Guion Lines. Many of the passengers took advantage and toured the steamers while others went to New Brighton to watch the regatta that was taking place that afternoon. The return train left the Tithebarn Street Station at 7pm which had given the excursionists nine hours to explore the attractions of Liverpool. The train arrived back in Holmfirth at 12.30am and all the travellers were “well satisfied” with their trip.

When the club held its annual meeting in November that year the club secretary, Samuel Boothroyd, read the report which showed that the club was in a “very prosperous condition.”

The accounts showed a balance of ten guineas and there were 100 members and 25 honorary members. Prior to the public meeting a tea had been served to about 130 people and was provided by Miss Booth, a local confectioner and once again served by the ladies.

(See Huddersfield Chronicle 9 February, 5 September & 21 November 1874)

The club took another trip to Liverpool in September 1876 with around 1000 people boarding the train in Holmfirth at 5.30am “reaching that place after a pleasant run of four hours.”

The weather was reported as being fine and on arrival the “excursionists” visited St. George’s Hall, the Museum and the docks and shipping. A great number of them also took a trip to Rock Ferry garden’s where Alfred Centennial Johnson, “a daring traveller” who had crossed the Atlantic in a small boat had an exhibition showing his boat and giving talks. Johnson was the first person to cross the Atlantic solo West to East. A Grand Banks fisherman, he had sailed his gaff-rigged dory from Gloucester, New Brunswick to Albercastle, Pembrokeshire. After two days rest he sailed his boat into Liverpool on 21st August 1876, not many days before the Holmfirth visitors excursion. Johnson's boat is now on display in the Cape Ann Historical Society Museum in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Sailing Dory "Centennial" with Alfred Johnson at the helm.

Others travellers opted to take the ferry to Birkenhead and New Brighton. The train left for the return journey at 7.40pm but did not arrive back in Holmfirth until 1.30am some six hours later. Despite the long trip the travellers were reported as being “well tired, but well pleased with the day’s pleasure.”

(See Huddersfield Chronicle 2 September 1876)

Joseph Woodhead, Mayor of Huddersfield presided over a tea party and public meeting held in November 1876 under the auspices of the club. It had a large attendance and was held in Holmfirth Town Hall. Samuel Wimpenny, club president joined the Mayor on the platform together with J.C. Nicholson of Macclesfield, J. Snowden of Halifax, Rev. John Colville, Independent, Holmfirth, B Butterworth, James Boothroyd, James Garside, Dr J Wimpenny, A Wood, H Thorp and T. K Mellor. The club secretary John Crossley read the club report which stated that the club was in a prosperous state and that they would soon need much larger premises as there were 91 members and 20 honorary members plus another 20 on the books ready to be proposed. Joseph Woodhead addressed the meeting and said that he

“was gratified to find so many of his former neighbours and friends on the platform.  He had been to so many political meetings in that hall and was glad that the Liberal principles of the former times survived in the hearts of the successors of those he had met there in former days.” 

When J. Snowden of Halifax addressed the meeting he said

“I am neither learned, wise, nor rich, but I am vain enough to believe that I possess a small smattering of common sense and I believe you at Holmfirth possess that good thing in a very large degree, and if you really do possess it in a large degree I really believe, l am quite satisfied, that we shall succeed this evening in making the Tories thoroughly ashamed of themselves.” 

He went on to make a fierce attack upon Toryism saying that in his opinion

“the Tories went about the country making statements as if true, which were impious lies, and that every decent, sensible man was thoroughly ashamed of them.”  

As for Lord Beaconsfield is referred to him as “That chivalrous old Tory, Dis- re-ea-le," and urged all Liberals to endeavour to get their leaders into office "as best they could."

The resolution was then put to the meeting and it was passed unanimously. 

(See Huddersfield Chronicle 29 November 1876)

A supper was held to celebrate the prospective return of Joseph Kay of Salford in the Salford by election of April 1877. It was said that he news of his return was the signal to “lay on” and make a night of it! However it was to turn out to be a “sudden and lamentable disaster!”

The Huddersfield Chronicle reported that “Irish Stew” was to be the “piece de resistance” in honour of the supporters of the Home Rule campaign who had been chiefly instrumental in securing Mr Kay’s return. The report went on to say that

“every member club who came to the supper was to come armed with their own spoon and be ready for action from 9pm till an indefinite time when the news of Kays return should have arrived, but that no direct attack should under any provocation whatsoever be made until that time!” 

The stew was not to be placed upon the table until the announcement of Kay’s victory arrived. One member was reported as being so overcome with thirst and hunger that as soon as he heard footsteps of the presumed messenger bringing the news could no longer contain himself and “plunging his spoon into the savoury mess was suitably rewarded by a bone in his throat” and consequently spluttered hot liquid down his shirt!

Many Liberals who did not normally attend the club were there that evening in order to say a few words and give their opinion but when it was announced that in fact Colonel Oliver Ormerod Walker (Conservative) had been returned instead of Kay no one came forward to say anything. It was impossible under such circumstances to sit down to the stew! The staunch Liberals at the gathering were reported as saying

“they wanted no supper, they were in a stew enough already, without bothering anymore with this confounding Irish stew, and sooner than touch it they would actually send the dish and all its contents down to the Conservative working men in their club and see if they could appreciate the whole affair in its proper value.”  

And so the stew was sent to the Conservative Club but the men there, as elated as they were by the victory, also refused to eat the stew! Their reply was

 “The stew is none of our making and we despise both the stew and those who attempted to cook it!  You had better take it to the poor Irish folk in Norridge Bottom, where if it doesn’t do them any good, it perhaps won’t do ‘em any harm.”  

The article in the paper concludes with the lines “And so for the time ends the history of this Irish and Holmfirth Liberal’s stew!”  

The club held another congratulatory, but less controversial, supper, in its large room in April 1878. This time a non-political celebration that of “fitting up and decorating of the smoke room.” The supper was followed by a meeting and concluded with a variety of recitations, songs and speeches by members of the club. The evening closed with the singing of the National Anthem. 

(See Huddersfield Chronicle 27 & 28 April 1877 & 12 April 1878)

There were a number of events, lectures and gatherings at or under the auspices of the club during 1879. A lecture was held in the town hall in May under the auspices of the Holmfirth Liberal Club. It was delivered by G. E. Lomax of Manchester on the subject “Why should a working man be a Tory?”  

There was a good attendance and the lecture was listened to very attentively with the speaker been frequently applauded. Lomax delivered his talk in such a humorous manner that there much laughter throughout the evening.  At the close of the evening Joseph Shaw moved the resolution 

“That this meeting desires to express its continued confidence in Liberal principles and pledges itself to make every effort to promote the speedy return of the Liberal Party to office.” 

The resolution was seconded by Emmanuel Booth and carried with only one held up in dissent although many abstained from voting.  

Arthur Preston, A nephew of John Thorpe Taylor JP, vice president of the club, was entertained to supper at the club in August on the eve of his departure to Australia where he intended to remain for some months. Around thirty people shared the supper and Samuel Wimpenny chaired the occasion. He proposed a toast to Arthur Preston and wished him a safe and pleasant voyage. Preston responded in 

“very feeling terms, expressing the pleasure he had experienced by his connection with members of the club.” 

The evening continued with speeches, recitations and songs. 

The Holmfirth Liberal Association held a public demonstration at the end of October in the town hall to consider the forthcoming general election.  Previous to the meeting there was a dinner in the Shoulder of Mutton Inn to which candidates for the Southern Division of the West Riding had been invited. At seven o’clock they gathered in the town hall with John Thorpe Taylor in the chair supported by the Chief Constable James Garside, several local clergymen and members of the Association and Club Committees. The meeting had a good sized audience including some women and the candidates were 

“received with great enthusiasm and before the formal proceedings began the audience heartily sang the National Anthem.”  

S. S. Booth reported that there were a total of 1018 voters on the register of whom it was thought 578 would vote Liberal, with 36 expected to vote Conservative. It was hoped that the remaining 134 doubtful voters could be largely persuaded to vote Liberal. 

William Henry Leatham

The candidates William Henry Leatham and Henry Wentworth Fitzwilliam both addressed the meeting and were well received by the crowd.  They received cheering and applause when they took the stage.  Fitzwilliam waited patiently for the applause to die before addressing the crowd saying 

“It afforded him great pleasure to be present at the meeting. Although he was more or less a stranger in the part of the country, the reception they had just given him assured him that he would be so no longer.”  

Both men stated their cases and policies on which they should be elected and a resolution was passed pledging the club’s support to them in the election. 

In June 1880 the club was able to celebrate the successful return of the two candidates as MPs for the South West Riding of Yorkshire. The celebration was held in the new Lecture hall at Holmfirth with a dinner being provided by Mr and Mrs Brook for over 70 people. When the meal was over Samuel Wimpenny took the chair and several toasts were given. Letters from William Henry Leatham and Henry Wentworth Fitzwilliam were read to the audience by Walter Preston who was standing in for John Thorpe Taylor. The letters thanked the chairmen, officers and members who had helped to promote their return at the election. The rest of the evening was then enlivened with songs by S. Boothroyd, Sykes. Shaw. Edward Broadhead, Josh Shaw (Lockwood), and Jonas Hinchcliffe; and recitations by W. M. Woodhead, Joseph Shaw and Josh. Shaw. 

When the club held its annual “soiree” in the town hall in late November 1879 around 120 people sat down to eat tea. Subsequently a public meeting was held at which Samuel Wimpenny, the chairman was joined on the platform by Alfred Illingworth, the Radical candidate for Bradford and William Hartley Lee, Mayor of Wakefield together with others.  The Huddersfield Chronicle reporting the event said 

“that the evening was very unpleasant and the attendance was not large.”

Apologies for absence had been sent by Henry Frederick Beaumont and John Thorpe Taylor, JP.  However Wimpenny remained positive despite the poor turnout and the Huddersfield Chronicle stated that they considered him gifted with a powerful imagination as Wimpenny said about the meeting that 

“it was not as large as they had expected. Although it might seem somewhat depressing to those present, he did not know that it ought to damp their zeal in the great and good cause.” 

He went on to state that he 

“was very much encouraged and cheered by the triumphant progress of their great chief (Gladstone) from Liverpool to Edinburgh, so that he should have felt very dejected if the hall had been almost empty.”  

The newspaper however did not agree with Wimpenny failing to see 

“how Gladstone’s reception in Midlothian” could “compensate for the lack of Radical enthusiasm in Holmfirth.” 

The annual report for the club was read by the club secretary C. R. Hampshire and it showed that the club numbered 214 members and 26 honorary members at that date. The finances of the club were in a sound state and it was recorded that lectures and meetings which aimed to further political principles had been held at the club throughout the winter months. Hampshire went on to speak about the approaching election and urged 

“all true Liberals to use every effort to return to Parliament men who would be favour of peace retrenchment and reform and reverse the unwise of policy of the present Government which had been one of extravagance and imperialism.”  

William Hartley Lee congratulated the club on its prosperity and bemoaned the lack of political interest in his own district. He said that he was in Holmfirth to “catch some of the dogged spirit which characterised Holmfirth” and urged them to...

“exert themselves even more” in order to make up for the lack of interest in his own ward. He saw in the enthusiasm with which Liberalism was supported “a desire on the part of the people to make at the next general election the “amende honourable” for their conduct in the past.”

Alfred Illingworth

When Alfred Illingworth addressed the meeting he stated that he felt it was a critical time in the national history.  The Chronicle reported that the views of Illingworth were that the country was 

“on the precipice of being committed to dangerous responsibilities.”

 Illingworth was a radical thinker and the Chronicle didn’t not give much credence to views or to his chance of being elected to parliament stating in their report 

“On the political dietary of this character (Illingworth) were the members of Holmfirth Liberal Club fed and we are of the opinion that Messrs Stanhope and Starkey need not fear opponents who are nourished on such miserable husks!” 

Little is reported about the reception that Illingworth had from those present at the meeting.   

In and amongst the political meetings and lecture social events such as bagatelle and whist matches took place. A variety of clubs from around the district played matches at the club and then returned the invitation.  Huddersfield Chronicle 15 February, 9 May, 16 August, 1, 26, 28 & 29 November 1879, 12 June 1880; Leeds Mercury 1 November 1879; Sheffield Independent 1 November 1879

The club aimed to provide political education and discussion through a variety of meetings and lectures from members and guest speakers. These were usually held during the winter months. The first in a series of such meetings in 1880 was held in February at Burn Lee but it reportedly had only a moderate attendance.  Joe Longbottom presided and the meeting was addressed by the Rev. S. F. Waterhouse, E. Crosland, Samuel Wimpenny and J. B. Coldwell. The subjects for the evening were not recorded.  

The following meeting in the series proved to be somewhat livelier.  This time the venue was the United Methodist Schoolroom in Wooldale.  Although the weather was reportedly very stormy there was a good turnout.  Alfred Wood occupied the chair, and addresses were delivered by 

W. McNish on "The past history of the Tory Party”, 

 Samuel Wimpenny on “The Afghan War” 

and  the 

Rev S. F Waterhouse on the “Last Reform Bill; was it a Liberal or a measure?”        

A political song, specifically written for the meeting was given by a few friends of the club and was well received. 

In 1880 the Rev S. F. Waterhouse, who had had long connections with the club, was preparing to leave Holmfirth and so the club held a meeting in his honour which was very well attended. Samuel Wimpenny chaired the meeting and presented Rev Waterhouse with Barnet Smith’s work 

“The Life of W. E. Gladstone, MP.” 

The work was in two volumes and was handsomely bound in Moroccan leather and gilt. Inside the inscription read 

“Presented to Rev S. F. Waterhouse, by the members of Holmfirth Working Men’s Liberal Club, as a token of their esteem for his earnest labours in connection therewith. August 16^th 1880.”

The club excursion had by this time become an annual event and no doubt was looked forward to by members and families alike. In 1880 the places chosen for that year’s excursion were Grimsby and Cleethorpes. The choice proved to be popular with over 1000 people taking the opportunity to travel and it was thought that the number would have been even higher had the executive of the club been able to arrange two trains instead of one.  The demand for tickets was very great and several tickets changed hands at a much higher price that that advertised! Whilst hundreds of others could not get a ticket for any price! A large number who were disappointed at having got a day’s holiday but not able to go on the trip went to Blackpool from Brockholes station instead. Others risked the chance of having to pay ordinary rates and boldly boarded the train without tickets!  Happily for them they were only charged the excursion fare when found out.  It would appear that the fine weather of the day, the fact that it was a long time since anyone from Holmfirth had visited Grimsby and the lowness of the fare, just 2s 6d, made a very successful trip for its promoters.  The train left Holmfirth at 5am and arrived in Grimsby at 9.30am where everyone enjoyed a pleasant day before returning to Holmfirth about midnight.  Huddersfield Chronicle 20 February, 21 August 1880 

Lectures in 1882 included one in March entitled 

“English Character and how it has been formed”. 

The lecture was delivered in the town hall by an unknown speaker with chair being taken by W. McNish, club president. There was reportedly a fair audience who listened attentively and the lecture was of “an instructive nature.”  No discussion of the subject was reported or any detail given. 

Another lecture in the series of 1882 was given in the United Methodist Free School under auspices of the Liberal Club on the subject 

“Who pays? Who ought to pay? And the way the money goes” 

delivered by E. T. Hicks of the Financial Reform Association.  It was reported that there was only a moderate attendance at this meeting. Huddersfield Chronicle 17 March & 29 April 1882

By the time of the annual meeting in March 1884 membership of the club had risen to 200 and the club was very prosperous with a healthy financial balance. The young men of the club organised and presided over a public tea for the event to which about 130 were present. The meeting which followed had a fair attendance and was chaired by the club president W. M. Woodhead supported by Percy Glass and H. J. Leech of the National Reform Union. Others on the platform included John Thorpe Taylor, J.P., and Messrs. H. Butterworth, Samuel Wimpenny, W. McNish, John Woodhead, E. Booth, E. H. Burtt, A. Wood, G. H. Marsden, J. W. Mellor, W. Butterworth, S. Collins, E. E. Quarmby, and A. McClellan.  

W. H. Barraclough, the secretary read the 12^th annual report which not only gave the finances and membership figures but listed the involvement of the club over the previous year – 

“During the year delegates have been sent to Mr. Bradlaugh's demonstration at Leeds, the Conference of the Liberal party at Leeds, and the meeting of the National Reform Union at Manchester. Resolutions have been passed by the committee and forwarded to the Prime Minister and the members for this division in favour of London Municipal Reform, Marriage Law Reform, and Women's Suffrage, also In favour of the Merchant Shipping Bill being referred to the Grand Committee on Trade, and not to a Select Committee, and supporting the Government proposals la the Contagions Diseases (Animals) Act. In conclusion, the committee wish to see the club taking its proper and legitimate position as the headquarters and meeting place of the Liberal party in this district, and for this reason they would impress upon all who have not yet joined it the desirability of doing so, so that we may be ready to take prompt and united action when the time comes to which we are looking, when every householder in Holmfirth will have a vote, and we on do our part to make each succeeding Parliament more and more allied to the glorious principles of  “Peace, Retrenchment, and Reform."”  

Resolutions in support of the Franchise Bill were made and carried unanimously.  The evening was concluded with music from the Holmfirth Philharmonic Band who played 

“several selections in good style.” 

Political lectures continued to be a feature and in 1884 when Rev George Duncan gave one in April in reply to a previous lecture by J. H. Bottomley made the week before, there was a very large crowd. The lecture took place in the large room of the town hall on the subject of 

“Political topics of the day.”  

Duke of Albany

The president of the club W. M. Woodhead called upon John Thorpe Taylor, chairman of the Liberal Association, to make the first resolution.  Taylor rose to do this and announced the sudden and unexpected death of the Duke of Albany. He went onto refer to a visit that the Duke had made to Huddersfield the previous October in which they had seen an 

“intelligent and affable prince.” 

They had listened carefully to his “wise utterances” and noted how much like his father he was in his

 “great sympathy with the working classes of the country.”  

A resolution was passed unanimously to send condolences and sympathy to the Royal family. 

After this the guest lecturer, Rev George Duncan, took the stage and stated that he would divide his lecture into three parts – 

“Peace, Retrenchment and Reform, which had always been the war cry of the Liberal party.”  

Once he had finished speaking the chairman asked the audience for questions for the speaker. Most appeared to have been answered but whether satisfactorily to some would be debatable as Eli Collins on rising to thank Duncan said 

“that he must confess that he was rather dissatisfied with the lecture. He would have preferred if Mr Duncan had dealt more with Mr Bottomley’s subject, but that they had a good substitute in Mr Hennessey.” 

Leeds Times 15 March 1884; Huddersfield Chronicle 15 March & 3 April 1884

1885 saw the club celebrating the passing of the new reform bill of 1884 which gave the franchise to 2 million people who had not previously had the right to vote.  The club held a banquet in Holmfirth Town hall to celebrate the occasion.  It was attended by over 100 men but no women were reported as having attended.  

The meal was provided by Frank Winterman of the Crown Hotel and the large room was decorated to suit the occasion.  John Thorpe Taylor, JP, chairman of the Liberal Registration Association for the district chaired the proceedings. Henry Frederick Beaumont,  Charles Milnes Gaskell, J, P. of Wakefield;  W. C. B. Beaumont,  S. Wimpenny,  Henry Butterworth, and  B. Butterworth joined Taylor on the platform.  W. C. B. Beaumont rose to propose a toast to the newly enfranchised 2million and said 

"they were met to commemorate the passing of a great bill, which had brought to England, especially the North of England, and more especially the South-West Riding of Yorkshire, benefits which could not be estimated until the right conferred by it was used.” 

He went on to say about the new electors 

“the new electors would remember that they voted by ballot, a privilege given by the Liberal party, and they need be no longer afraid of voting, for days of unjust influence at election times had long ago passed. At the polling booth let them remember those benefits which had been conferred on them In the matter of political freedom, and if, when they recorded their votes in 1886, the Liberal Government was not returned by a large majority, it would show that the people were ignorant of their own interests.” 

His toast was acknowledged by Thomas Stanley, W. H. Jessop and Thomas Brook. 

Charles Milnes Gaskell

Next Charles Milnes Gaskell addressed the gathering stating his views on the extension of the franchise and its likely impact in quite a lengthy speech.  He dwelt on the many 

“clouds that were now round the nation,”

 and the difficulties which these caused. He concluded that 

“in order to meet these difficulties and to face those clouds it was most important that the Franchise Bill should be passed, and that the Redistribution Bill should also be passed, because they knew that a Ministry, he did not care what Ministry it was, would speak in an entirely different way if it felt that It had behind it 2,000,000 more  voters to show it the way ; it would speak in an entirely different way in the name of England when those 2,000,000 had recorded their votes. Therefore he thought they did well to celebrate the passing of the Franchise Bill, and he trusted that in a very short time they would have an accession of voters. He thought there would be a very considerable addition to the old register; they would recognise their value, and he felt certain that when the time came they would find a candidate in the Penistone division as in the other divisions, and that the result of the election would be the same as what occurred in 1880.”

At the Liberal Club annual meeting later that year the records showed that membership stood at 179 members and W. McNish was elected club president. A decision was taken at the meeting in respect of selling refreshments during the forthcoming general election. It was decided that 

“no refreshments be sold in the club fourteen prior to and fourteen days after the ensuing general election.” 

The Redistribution Act of that year caused the 

“Holmfirth Parliamentary Division"

to be formed and the Holmfirth Liberal Association was born due that with Henry Frederick Beaumont taking the presidency and Dr Arthur C. J. Wilson as secretary. After the formation Beaumont was invited to become the Liberal candidate for the Holmfirth Division, however he declined and stood for the Colne valley Division instead. Henry Joseph Wilson was selected in Beaumont’s place with a small majority, upsetting several “old” Liberals in the process which caused a worry that there might be a split in the party. Wilson however soon became very popular through his tact, energy and his strong Radicalism which saw him returned at the 1885 election with a majority of 3044. 

Henry Joseph Wilson,

Wikipaedia

Henry Joseph Wilson seems to have been quite a character, as could be seen from a short piece in the Huddersfield Chronicle talked of his “eccentricities.” 

THE LIBERAL CANDIDATE FOR THE HOLMFIRTH DIVISION. Mr. H. J. Wilson's eccentricities increase. At Friday's "social purity" meeting in London he bore testimony against “the press of Yorkshire," because it had kept its page clear of stories all of which were reeking with impurity, and the chief of which la proved to be false. Mr. Wilson is disappointed at the, squeamishness of Yorkshire newspaper proprietors who don't believe that fine wheat will come of sowing tares, and who don't choose to treat the journals for which they are responsible as sewage farms. It has been said that “a nice man is a man of nasty ideas;" if this be so, what an extremely nice gentleman Mr. H J. Wilson must be. Sheffield Daily Telegraph.”   

Huddersfield Chronicle 7 March & 27 August 1885; Leeds Times 19 September 1885

Despite any perceived eccentricities Henry Joseph Wilson was returned as the MP for Holmfirth in the 1886 election and the Holmfirth Liberal Association and Club held a celebratory banquet in his honour. It took place on a January afternoon that year in the Free Church Schoolroom and there were about seventy men present. The banquet was followed in the evening by a public meeting with a large audience in the town hall with John Thorpe Taylor in the chair accompanied by Henry Joseph Wilson, W. S. Shirley, M.P, Mr. Joseph Woodhead, MP, Rev. N. M. Hennessey, Samuel Wimpenny, H. Butterworth, H. Roberts, W. Butterworth, H. Green, B. Kaye, J. Shaw, S Roberts, S. Collins and A. McClellan. 

The election had resulted in Wilson achieving victory with a “magnificent” majority of 3044 votes.  H. Butterworth moved the resolution that 

“this meeting records its greatest satisfaction with the splendid Liberal victory achieved in the Holmfirth Parliamentary Division, its confidence in Mr H. J. Wilson, the first member for this division and its warmest thanks to all those friends who have so nobly contributed to this remarkable victory.”  

W. S. Shirley seconded the resolution and it was agreed to by all those present. Leeds Mercury 9 January 1886

The Irish Question – Home Rule

Home Rule for Ireland!

The Liberals of Holmfirth appear to have taken a strong view with regard to the subject of the Irish Land Question, Home Rule and the government’s treatment of the Irish people. The issues was the subject of several lectures, debates and public meetings held by the club and the association. A resolution had been sent by the club in January 1887 expressing the hope that Home Rule for Ireland would be pushed forward by the government. At a public meeting held by the club that January J. Rowlands MP for Finsbury had spoken to the audience and stated in his speech that 

“The government of the future must be a democratic government.  If the Irish had the laws in their own hands they would work out their own redemption and a brighter and better future would be in store both for the people of England and Ireland.” 

This gained him loud applause from the crowd who were in full support. Alderman Woodhead fully agreed with him in his address stating 

“there was a great need not only for Home Rule in Ireland but good rule in all parts of the kingdom which could not be dealt with until the Irish difficulty was settled.”  

When the resolution was put to the meeting it was carried unanimously with enthusiasm! 

Another public meeting was held in April 1887 to protest against the 

“Coercion Bill”

 that had been put before Parliament. The meeting began in the club but a severe thunderstorm caused them to remove to the town hall in order to continue. The meeting was chaired by H. T. Roberts and J. O’Connor had been the advertised speaker, however he was unavoidably detained and so his place was taken by Thomas Patrick Gill MP for South Louth in Ireland. The resolution was put to the crowd 

“that this meeting, regarding the Coercion Bill now before Parliament as a blow aimed at the free discussion j of public affairs in Ireland, and at the combinations of struggling peasants against oppressive landlords, and believing that its effect will be, not the decrease, but the increase of crimes and outrages, protests most strenuously against its enactment. It declares also its conviction that there can be no real settlement of our difficulties in Ireland without the concession to the people of that country of a large measure of home government.”  

Thomas Patrick Gill then addressed them and said that he was representing the Irish people and went on to give a lengthy and rambling speech denouncing the Coercion Bill saying that it was the 

“most infamous bill ever introduced.”  

When local MP, Henry Joseph Wilson, spoke against the bill his opinion was that the bill was 

“to put down the national League and not crime, and if they put down the National League it would drive people to desperation.” 

The National League was viewed by some as the Tenant’s Trade Union, protecting tenant’s interests against those of the landlords, many of whom were absentees.  When the chairman put the proposition to the room it was carried with only one or two dissenters. 

Later that year the large room of the town hall was crowded with a very large attendance for the Liberal Club’s annual meeting.   W.  Butterworth, Chairman of the Liberal Association, occupied the chair, and he was accompanied on the platform by C. E. Schwann, M.P., Henry Joseph Wilson M.P., P. Colden of London, A. G. Symonds of National Reform Union, Charles Glendinning, Dr. Wilson of Penistone, H. Roberts, W. Batty, S. Roberts, Rev. J. Ball, J. Boothroyd, E. Booth and Miss Jane Cobden (the daughter of Richard Cobden, Radical MP for the West Riding in 1847 & 1852). 

The annual reports for both the Liberal Association and the Liberal Club were read to the gathering. Both were of 

“congratulatory character”

 as they showed that they were in

 “a flourishing condition.”  

The report from the Association reported that as a result of the sub division of the old Holmfirth Polling District and the dissolution of the old Liberal Association it had been necessary at the close of the previous year to form a new association for the combined districts of Holmfirth Central and Holmfirth in Upperthong.  Soon after this new association had been formed the Liberals of the district had suffered the loss of one of its long-time members and supporters Samuel Wimpenny. He had worked hard for the Liberal cause for many years. 

The club and the association had stood by its principles for political education and had held a series of outdoor meetings in the surrounding villages during the summer months of the previous year. The secretary of the club, J. Hinchliffe, told the meeting that the club was in a very prosperous position in both finances and membership. Members totalled 165 plus 17 honorary members and income was in excess of the previous year. 

Butterworth opened the speeches expressing his belief 

“that at the next election Henry Joseph Wilson’s majority would be more than maintained.”  

Charles Edward Schwann, C1895

Wikipeadia

Charles Edward Schwann MP for North Manchester, addressed the meeting next and received a 

“hearty reception”. 

He stated that it 

“gave him great pleasure to be able to speak in support of their member Mr Wilson.”  

He felt additional satisfaction in sharing the same platform with Miss Cobden (who was not listed in all the newspaper reports of the meeting at the time) adding that she was 

“a worthy daughter of her sire.” 

He went on to speak about what he had witnessed in Ireland with Miss Jane Cobden and the plight of the Irish people, which would be the burning issue of the meeting that evening. The Leeds Mercury gave a full report of Schwann and Cobden speeches. 

Schwann stated that Jane Cobden 

“was a lady who for years had been interested in the Irish question, and she was one of the most prominent of those who about two months ago went over to Ireland with a message of sympathy from the women of England, Scotland, ad Wales. Along with Miss Cobden, he had attended the evictions- at Coolgreaney and there they saw the occurrences which English people found recorded in the newspapers, but of the horrors of which they could have no conception without first seeing them. Then their sympathies would be awakened and they would begin to recognise the atrocities committed a by the Government in support of the landlords. On the occasion they made the acquaintance of the Lord Mayor of Dublin, who, he regretted to know, was now in prison at Tullamore. He was a thoroughly upright man, and one I who had an undying love for his country.  The resolution asked those present to protest against the policy of the Government in Ireland and he was sure they would.  It was a Government to which they could well apply the words used by Mr. Evelyn, the Tory Member for Deptford, who had called it “Cruel, shameless, and corrupt." 

In referring to the Government, he felt that the condemnation of its quondam employees and supporters would have more weight than any words of his, and so he would bid them remember the fact that policemen had resigned their posts, and soldiers and run riot in the streets and shouted for "William O'Brien." He would also draw their attention to a letter written by Mr. Blake, the Crown Prosecutor at Cork, who had resigned his office on the grounds that the nature of the procedure under the Crimes Act seemed to deprive him of any discretion in discriminating between the innocent and the guilty, while the tribunal before which he would have to act was scarcely independent. He added that it seemed the class of prosecutions he would have to conduct would be against the political adversaries of the Government. There could not be a more pronounced and serious condemnation of the Government. They might have noticed too, the remarks made by Baron Palles in the case of 'Lord Clanricarde and his agent, a case which simply went to prove that when rogues fell out honest people came by their own. If an Irish Member had said what Baron Palles said he would have been sent to gaol for six months. Ireland had suffered from absentee landlordism, and no doubt if she got Home Rule facilities would be given for the acquiring of land by the peasant class, and thus the profits gained by farming in Ireland; instead of going to landlords in London or Paris, would be spent in the country. The time had come when the Liberal Unionists must finally decide whether they would return to the old fold or go over completely to the Tories.” 

Jane Cobden

Jane Cobden rose to her feet next to address the meeting and was greeted with loud cheers. She told the crowd of her great pleasure in being present in the west Riding of Yorkshire and in the hall where had been shown a hearty appreciation of her father’s efforts during the great anti-Corn Law agitation.  She went on that she wanted to 

“record her emphatic protest against the government in Ireland and said that it was great satisfaction to her to feel that they were to the utmost of their power still carrying forward that great work of progress and reform to which her father had devoted his life and for which he died.  That progress was now seriously s endangered, for the present Government was using all its powers in a manner distinctly opposed to progress and to reform.  Until, the question of Irish wrongs was dealt with justly and rightly Irish legislation must be blocked. We deserved to suffer for the culpable neglect of Ireland in times past and she believed that they would not consent to see the Irish question thrown aside next session, as the tactics of the Tories would evidently wish it to be, A bright and generous people had been reduced to wretchedness, starvation, and misery by the maladministration' of the English laws. The cleaning of their houses or the buying of a new dress was made an excuse for raising the rents, and those rent went to support landlords who never visited Ireland, I and know nothing of the miseries the people had to endure.  The wonder was that the smaller farmers had been able to pay their excessive rents for so long. The way to redress their grievances was not by ignoring them, but by showing them sympathy and helping them in every way they could; and she hoped the time would soon come when their voices would ring out from the English thousands in fair, generous d tones proclaiming Home Rule.” 

The resolution was adopted with enthusiasm by all those present at the meeting such was the passion and persuasion of the words about the plight of the Irish people. Jane Cobden remained committed throughout her life to the issues of land reform, peace and social justice and consistently advocated Irish Independence. The battle for “women’s suffrage” was her most enduring cause but she kept her activities in support of this within the law never resorting to militant or illegal methods. 

 Henry Joseph Wilson added his weight to the resolution and said he 

“could only say he had tried to do his best and vote in accordance with his conscience, and he thought it had also been in accordance with the conscience of the majority of his supporters. While in Ireland he had been treated with the greatest courtesy, and instead of being watched and dogged, as he thought he might have been, he was visited by the Mayor and the High Sheriff of Limerick, and welcomed in the warmest possible manner. He had been willing and glad to go to these people in Ireland, to convey the message of sympathy and love from the people of Holmfirth; and he had had great pleasure in contributing his mite to the Irish National League, and he hoped it would go on till its task was completed, and that would be when they had an Irish Parliament in Dublin." 

Alderman Charles Glenndinning moved a resolution protesting against the Government policy in Ireland, recording its unswerving adherence to the Home Rule principle propounded by Mr. Gladstone, and trusting that the programme of future home legislation as sketched by him at Nottingham might soon be realised. This resolution was seconded by Charles Edward Schwann, and was supported Jane Cobden. All the resolutions were enthusiastically passed. 

John O’Connor MP, an Irish man, also spoke at a meeting at the club in December 1887, but it is unclear whether it was the same meeting or another. In his address to the meeting was reported in the Cambridge Independent Press where he stated that 

“he was brought up in the atmosphere of treason, had borne arms against this country, and had suffered the penalty. To effect the separation of Ireland from England he had lived in the very shadow death and in the gloom of the gallows; but he was only one of tens of thousands who had laid down their arms and abandoned the policy of despair for the hopeful and inspiring policy of constitutional agitation.”  

Huddersfield Chronicle 25 April 1887; Leeds Mercury 11 January & 10 December 1887; Sheffield Independent 10 December 1887; Barnsley Chronicle 17 December 1887; Cambridge Independent Press 24 December 1887

There was a large attendance at the annual meeting of the club held in the town hall in January 1889 although not quite as crowded, vocal or enthusiastic as those that had debated the Irish Home Rule in 1887, but the subject was debated once again with full support of the members.   The president of the club was Joseph Shaw and on the platform with him that evening were E. Crossley MP, William Summers MP, Alderman Glenndinning, W. Butterworth, James Beardsell, T Sykes, J. E. Wimpenny and J. Brooke.  E. E. Quarmby reported on behalf of the Liberal Association reviewing the work done during the year and stated that 

“the registration of Parliamentary voters resulted in the numerical strength of the party remaining intact.”  

Then C. J. Mellor read the annual report for the club which showed that the membership had decreased from 182 to 161 during the year. The decrease was accounted for by the number pf people moving away from the district that year.  This decrease had also been reflected in the clubs finances which had also diminished.  

Henry Joseph Wilson had sent a letter as he was absent due to illness and his message continued the concern about the plight of Ireland. The letter was read out at the meeting 

“"I suppose and I hope that Ireland will be the chief topic, and that the speakers and meeting will utter no uncertain sound on the injustice now being perpetrated in that country."  

Charles Glenndinning put this resolution to the meeting and it was seconded by Edward Crossley MP.  William Summers MP supported the resolution supported a resolution 

“condemning the Irish policy of the Government, and hoping, that Mr. Gladstone would soon return to power with a scheme of Home Rule.”

 The resolution was carried unanimously. Leeds Mercury 30 January 1889; Sheffield Independent 30 January 1889

The annual club trip had become much looked forward to feature of the year although the 1890 excursion visiting York and Scarborough proved less popular than previous trips. There were lower numbers of passengers booked for the day with just 350 boarding the train. After a good journey the party arrived in Scarborough at 8.45am and enjoyed a fine day at the coast returning to Holmfirth about 11.30pm.  It was reported that the club’s funds would see a small profit from the day. Huddersfield Chronicle 6 September 1890

William Ewart Gladstone

When William Ewart Gladstone celebrated his 80^th birthday so did the Holmfirth Liberal Club. A dinner was served to around thirty people in the conversation room of the club which was followed by a meeting chaired by Joseph Shaw.  Various toasts were made including one to Gladstone and it was decided that a letter should be sent to him from the club. The letter read 

“Liberal Club, Holmfirth. December 30th, 1889. To the Right Hon. William Ewart Glad- stone, M.P. Dear sir, We are desired by a number of the members of the Liberal Association and the Liberal Club of Holmfirth, who are met this evening in honour of your entry upon your 81st year, to offer you their most sincere and hearty congratulations. We are thankful that you have been spared so long, that you have been enabled to do so much for our country, and that you are still so full of vigour. We most sincerely hope that, with your noble wife at your side, you may be spared to us a number of years longer; that your strength may be unabated; your eye undimmed : and especially that you may be permitted to add to the great achievements of your past, measures that will free the people of Ireland from political bondage. We say. ‘Long life to Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone.' We are, yours respectfully, Joseph Shaw, president; William Butterworth and Eli Exley Quarmby, vice-presidents; A. Fieldhouse and F. Barrowclough, secretaries." 

Huddersfield Chronicle 4 January 1890

There was a certain radical element to the club and this was evident in April 1890 when a 

“small knot of Radicals from the Holmfirth Liberal Club” 

attended a meeting at the Holmfirth Parish Club which was intended for the purpose of appointing churchwardens.  As soon as the church business had been concluded this group of men stated 

“that they were there and acting in their right as they understood that was the time and place to elect the chief constable.”  

This had not been on the agenda for the meeting and no one was aware that it would be raised.  The group of Liberals were apparently in the majority at the meeting and so were able to elect a Radical nominee into the position. They effectively deprived the population of the district, some 16,000 people at that time, from having a say in the matter. It was seen as 

“a most wanton piece of injustice” 

on the seven townships in the district by one witness who reported it to the Chronicle. The closing words of his letter to the paper read 

“men who I claim political piety and honesty of purpose when found prostituting these virtues to party selfishness must not expect to evade the censure which indignant and outraged public opinion will inevitably mete out to them. 

 I am, yours truly, 

SPECTATOR. 

Holmfirth, April 14th, 1890.” 

Huddersfield Chronicle 16 & 19 April 1890

Later that year the Liberal Association and Club held their annual tea followed by a public meeting in the town hall where MPs Mark Oldroyd and Henry Joseph Wilson addressed a large crowd.  Around 100 people sat down for tea and the large room of the town hall was well filled for the meeting. William Butterworth, the president of the Holmfirth Liberal Association chaired the meeting and once the annual reports had been given he introduced the speakers without making a speech himself. 

Mark Oldroyd

Mark Oldroyd addressed the meeting first and spoke about the state of the Liberal Party and the lack of progress that the government of the time had made in securing the passing of the Tithes and the Irish Land Bill. He went on to say that the government had

“frittered away the time of Parliament in a way which manifested to the public their incapacity and their fatuous bungling.  He was convinced that the present Government would do little more in the way of legislation, for in its inner conscience it knew that it did not represent public opinion. The Liberal party was not decrepit and decaying. They had since the last general election added 14 members to their side, and there arose within them the spring of hopeful- ness. He predicted at the next election a great triumph for the Liberal party.” 

When Henry Joseph Wilson rose to his feet he was very well received by the crowd and after referring to general topics he dealt largely with the 

“Eight Hours Bill” 

a piece of legislation which would limit the amount of hours that men could be compelled to work, particularly dealing with miners. This bill had been debated many times during 1890 with Wilson and others unable to make up their minds as to the value of the legislation. Wilson felt that all workers were justified in seeking, by legitimate means, ways to reduce their hours of labour, to improve their working conditions and to increase their pay.

Wilson was undecided about the Bill, debating whether limiting hours of work should be done by legislation or Trade Unionism or a combination of both. He had tried to get information which would allay fears but had not had any satisfactory responses. He said that 

“he was prepared to support the miners' proposals whenever it was shown to his satisfaction that they could be adopted without injury to the rest of the country, but he would be doing wrong to the constituency as well as to himself to give a decision the question insufficient information.”  

A. Hartley, of Wombwell, wanted to question  Wilson and make a speech so  he took to the platform, however the audience would not hear him and he was forced to return to his seat.  The meeting passed a vote of confidence in Wilson with great enthusiasm. Wilson subsequently voted against the bill in Parliament and this caused much division in the district. 

Discussion continued about the proposed bill during 1891 and 1892 and on 30^th April 1892 Wilson laid down his views clearly in reference to the legislation at a Liberal meeting in Penistone 

“There should be a strong case of necessity made out, and in the application of such legislation they should have, as far as possible, the willing consent of the vast majority of the community where it was in operation."

 He intimated his intention to bring forward or to support amendments on such points as to whether the bill should extend to the whole country or might be adopted in particular districts.

Wilson did not vote in favour of the bill when it went for its second reading and the mining community of the district felt let down by him. It split Liberal opinion in the district and October 1894 saw Wilson addressing a full meeting of the Liberal Council at Penistone to defend his actions and his position as candidate for the area.  

Edward Cowey, 1895,

Wikipeadia

Special interest attached to the occasion in consequence of a section of the Liberal party having invited Edward Cowey president of the Yorkshire Miners' Association 

"to oppose Mr. Wilson at the next election, owing to the hon. gentleman not having voted for the Miners' Eight Hours Bill. The council unanimously rejected the charge of breach of faith which had been brought against Mr. Wilson, declared his conduct to be consistent with the promises with which the unions had previously expressed satisfaction, thanked him for the able manner in which he had represented the constituency, and assured him of continued confidence.”

The club came under criticism again, this time for making profit from drink in 1893 when a copy of the balance sheet for the club’s finances fell into the hands of the Huddersfield Chronicle.  The total income of the club was shown as £212 2s 6d of this £110, slightly more than half was due to what was 

“euphoniously termed refreshments.” 

Out of this amount £11 4s was for tobacco and cigars which left the remaining £99 19s 11d due entirely to the sale of “refreshments.” These refreshments had been purchased by the club for £57 12s 7d giving them a profit of £40 on the sales. The article went on to say that but for the profit from these sales the club would 

“soon be in a hopeless state of bankruptcy. In other plainer words it is the drink that keeps this organisation going. Yet the party that profits by the existence and carrying on of such a club can pretend to believe that the people ought to have the right of local veto, not over such places because that would injure the party cause and offend the party's members, but over public-houses. There is something more than a smack of hypocrisy about a party that includes apostles of temperance who are not above taking advantage of the existence of such places to assist their candidates. If it is right and reasonable to keep up a party club by such means, and it may be so, it is surely the very opposite for the same men to profess an over- whelming love for temperance at the very time when they are engaged in the task of maintaining a party organisation by ignoring and opposing their own professions. No one not wilfully blinded by partisanship can defend such conduct. As long as it exists local veto bills will be the greatest of shams, and those who promote them, while aware of what is going on in the ranks of their own party cannot considered in real earnest. If they were they would certainly manage to let practice accord a little nearer than they do to actual performance.” 

The annual meeting that year reported that there was a balance in hand at the club of just £13. Membership of the club stood at 114 honorary members and 134 ordinary members, a total of 148. 

Despite the poor finances they looked to the future for improvement. It was reported that much of the downturn in their membership and income had been caused by people leaving the area. The club had been established for twenty one years and Joseph Shaw congratulated them on this and hoped that the 

“coming year would be more prosperous than the past.” 

Samuel Collins went on to talk of the club’s history and said that he hoped 

“the members would get up something of the “bazaar” nature to liquidate the loans so willingly lent by some members to purchase the billiard table.” 

However when compared with the annual reports of 1890, which showed membership of 127 in total and a loss of £211 9s 1½ d, the figures for 1893 are an improvement.

When the club held its annual meeting in 1894 the financial reports showed a similar set of figures with refreshments again making the main contribution to the annual balance. It would appear that the sale of drink was the only way that the club could remain solvent at that time. There does not appear to have been any further criticism in the local press about the club in 1894. The membership that year stood at 120 members and 14 honorary members. 

(See Huddersfield Chronicle 20 September 1890 & 22 November 1890 & 22 October 1894; Sheffield Evening Telegraph 19 November 1890; 30 September 1893 & 22 September 1894; Sheffield Independent 18 September 1893; Huddersfield Daily Examiner 18 September 1893, 14 September 1894)

On the day of the election in 1895 Henry Joseph Wilson was in Holmfirth early in the morning, and by 7.30am he was in an open carriage and pair touring all the polling stations in the district. He visited the Holmfirth Liberal Club and expressed his satisfaction with the “organisation and able manner” in which the work was carried out. Alex McClellan was the sub agent and was assisted in the task by “a strong and willing committee.”

Wilson was reported as being in good spirits and confident of being returned as MP for the area. A good turnout had been reported with transport provided by the local political clubs and organisations. People wore “favours” to show their allegiances and colours were displayed on public buildings, factories and on private homes.

George Edward Raine, the Conservative candidate was also out and about campaigning. The usual type of political literature was given out and one piece of advice was given...

“Vote for wet weather” and another “Vote Wilson and no rain(e).” 

(See Huddersfield Daily Examiner 18 July 1895)

The question of the Eight Hour day for miners was again debated by the Holmfirth Parliamentary Liberal Council, when W. Exley of Scissett addressed the annual meeting in the Assembly Rooms in April 1899. Exley moved the following resolution –

“This council is of opinion that owing to the hazardous risks of the miners occupation legislative action should be taken to restrict the hours of labour in such employment to eight per working day." He went on to state that in his opinion eight hours was long enough for a man “to be entombed in the bowels of the earth.” His feeling was the eight hours would “confer a great blessing on the whole mining community” 

and that the council had a duty to fill in voicing the opinion of the Holmfirth Division. The resolutions was seconded by James Hinchliffe of Holmfirth and it was passed unanimously by the large gathering. When Henry Joseph Wilson took the stand he dealt with the “unfounded rumour which had gained publicity through the Tory press that he was about to retire.” This rumour had come about as a consequence of Stuart Wortley being adopted as the Unionist candidate to contest the seat in the next election. Wilson stated that he would consider standing again as Liberal candidate when he was asked. (See Sheffield Independent 24 April 1899)

Drill Hall Holmfirth. 

Kirklees Image Archive

Henry Joseph Wilson had a resounding victory in the election of 1906 and the club held a victory tea to celebrate. The event was held in the Drill Hall, Holmfirth with over 550 people enjoying the meal. The hall was crowded and Councillor Overend occupied the chair. Congratulatory speeches were made by many prominent local workers and Wilson received a standing ovation when he took the stand to speak. He spoke about the responsibilities on the new Liberal government and about his own background in politics –

 “It was difficult to realise the extent of their victory throughout the country. From Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman down to his humblest follower there was a feeling of real and serious responsibility resting upon them, considering they had such an enormous chance of doing something good for the people. It was an occasion that should be turned to account, and the people should hold the present House of Commons responsible for doing something in the way of progressive legislation. Speaking of the Liberal victories he said a Liberal Member had remarked that it was not respectable nowadays unless they had a majority of 3,000. Personally could not help being Liberal, Radical, and Progressive. His relatives, so far back as they knew anything about, were the same sort of folks, always fighting against privilege and class legislation, and for the well-being of the people. He instanced the support his mother had accorded the movement for the emancipation of the slaves of the West Indies over 70 years ago. Born and brought in that kind of atmosphere, he could not tolerate the idea slavery in South Africa.” 

Mrs. Wilson, Cecil Wilson, and Oliver Wilson also stood up to speak to the crowd who showed them great enthusiasm. (See Sheffield Daily Telegraph 19 February 1906)

As Socialism grew in popularity and support in the Holmfirth area, the club found that their public meeting would attract a “sprinkling of members of the Independent Labour Party (ILP).”

Arthur Richardson, 1905

Wikipeadia

Such was the case at their annual meeting in 1907 where Arthur Richardson, the Liberal- Labour member for South Nottingham was one of the main speakers. Richardson repudiated the idea that the Trade Unions of the country were in sympathy with Socialism, and he warned his audience not to give their Trade Union a bone for the Socialist shadow.

In October of that year the Holmfirth Liberal Association held a meeting in the Netherfield Chapel, Penistone to consider what the official attitude of the party should be towards the Socialists in the constituency, particularly as they had declared their intention to put forward a candidate at the next election. The Socialists had held a number of open air meetings where the tactics had been to libel the Liberals and teach that...

“the Liberal were worse enemies than the Conservatives!” 

They had also been responsible for spreading the rumour that Henry Joseph Wilson would not stand for re-election as MP for the division.

Dr. Arthur C. J. Wilson presided over the meeting and explained the circumstances that had led to the special meeting being called. He said...

“that Socialism was making great headway in some parts of the division, and it was felt by certain of their supporters that the association should adopt a plan to stem the tide if possible.”

Dr Wilson went on to say that on many points Liberals and Socialists were in agreement such as on peace, education, land and franchise reform and that rather than directly oppose socialism they should be more “energetic” in informing the public about Liberal principles and achievements.

When Henry Joseph Wilson, MP took the stand he spoke about how everyone was a socialist at the time pointing to the instances of state socialism – the Post Office, national education, regulations of labour and the poor law to name a few. Additionally he highlighted municipal socialism in the owning of markets, gas and electricity manufacture, ownership of baths, slaughter houses, trams, sewage farms, cemeteries and the feeding of hungry children. All of which highlighted in his opinion, the distance the country had gone in the direction of Socialism before the Socialists had actually started their campaign. In answering questions about the rumour of his departure Henry Wilson said that he had made no decision either way at that time but hoped that he would be invited to stand again. Wilson did stand again and in 1910 was elected with a huge majority of 3296 with a large turnout of electors despite heavy snowstorms. 

(See Leeds Mercury 4 February 1907 & 21 January 1910; Sheffield Independent 7 October 1907)

Although Socialism was on the rise in the area 1912 saw “increased Liberal enthusiasm” in Holmfirth. This was accredited by the Leeds Mercury to the publication of the new Reform Bill which had become the main topic of conversation across the rural communities in the area. The Mercury describes in some detail how seriously people were discussing the bill and it gives us a picture of the people of the day –

“One comes across little groups of men here and there, at street corners, in public-houses, lounging about the Penistone market place, or gathering in knots outside the steel works, and all of them are discussing the new bill. Not yet having got the details off heart the arguments become warm every now and again as to the precise wording and meaning of some phrase, until someone, usually a methodical elderly man, puts on his spectacles, solemnly draws from his pocket well-thumbed, but well preserved notebook, and with the utmost deliberation proceeds to draw from its recesses a newspaper cutting giving the exact wording the disputed passage. There something extremely interesting about such group. The slow deliberateness of the man who is careful to verify his references, the sudden stoppage of the argument till he has adjusted his glasses, produced his notebook, brought forth the cutting, and read it with slow and deliberate emphasis, produce at first a feeling irritation the too impetuous listener, but later produces only admiration, for one sees in the whole incident a concrete illustration of the type of men found in these valleys. The hurrying, superficial, nervous impatience that inevitably overtakes the dweller in big towns has not touched those men. They slowly, they are content to wait as patiently necessary accomplish their purpose properly, and their whole attitude conveys a feeling of something that is solid without being wooden, slow without being dull, and quiet without being weak.”

The paper went on to state that it was these very characteristics that made the Reform Bill a new “source of strength” for the Liberal Party. They did not consider that the Conservatives would grow in numbers and described Socialism as... 

“a sort of fireworks display that dazzles the eyes for a bit and makes a startling noise for moment, but somehow carries with it a conviction that it always ends in smoke.” 

Adding that...

“it will take years of strenuous labour before the Labour, and especially the Socialist, party can hope to make any real impression on the constituency and even then they will have come with some real grievance against the existing order things.”

Trade was seen as being good and wages as reasonable in the area with conditions in the local towns and villages of the “moorlands and dales” not being unhealthy it was considered that residents had no reason to feel any need for extreme reforms such as those proposed by William Lunn, the Labour candidate.

Due to the resignation of Henry Joseph Wilson, he had retired due to ill health, a by-election was necessary in Holmfirth in 1912 and this new found strength on the part of the Liberal Party in the area was crucial to returning another Liberal MP for the district. Wilson had been elected seven times by large majorities and returned unopposed in the 1910 election so his resignation would have been a hard blow to the Liberals in the area.

Sydney Arnold

Wikipeadia

Sydney Arnold, the Liberal candidate in the by-election, was holding some seventeen meetings a day as part of his election campaign, working extremely hard to get his message out to the people. He had tremendous support from the Holmfirth Liberals who were composed almost entirely of “working men,” many of them miners elected by their own districts. The invitation for Arnold to stand was given unanimously and since that time he had “proved himself a splendid champion of the progressive cause.”

All was not smooth sailing during the election campaign and tempers began to rise erupting in an “open storm” between a crowd of Liberal and Socialist miners at Worsborough Bridge. The heat had begun to rise few days prior to the election, when Sir William Clegg, chairman of the Hallamshire Division Liberal Association, reminded the Labour party in Holmfirth that John Wadsworth, M.P., and other miners’ leaders who have been elected by the cordial support of Liberal voters, would find themselves opposed in future if the intervention of the Labour candidate in the Holmfirth Division jeopardised the Liberal majority.

The Labour men replied exclaiming, “Let ‘em all come," and reminded Sir William Clegg and the Liberal candidate that reprisals in Hallamshire, North-East Derby, and Normanton might be met by attacks in Wakefield, Barnsley, and other places. This exchange was enough to ignite the tempers both sides. It had been evident that trouble was brewing at the Barnsley end of the division for some time beforehand and this broke out at Worsborough Bridge. Mr. Arnold and Socialist speaker from Birmingham found themselves competing for the attention of the same audience. The Socialist made a virulent attack upon the Liberals and all their ways, and the Liberal chairman retorted by expressing his candid opinion about the Socialist. The latter demanded an apology, which was refused, and the gentleman from Birmingham, who was in a state of considerable anger, forced his way through the excited crowd towards the Liberal platform. This effort was all that was needed to precipitate a row, and in an instant the meeting was in uproar! Liberals and Socialists were punching one another’s heads, and a free fight on a massive scale was in full swing, when the police arrived and put an end to the scene.

There was no love lost between the old fashioned steady-going Liberal Trade Unionists and the fiery Socialists, who try to rush them along at a “reckless and breakneck pace.”

The only hope of the Socialist candidate coming out near the top in the contest was if he could secure harmony and unanimity among the miners, but with outbreak of this row both harmony and unanimity completely disappeared and so did any chance of a Socialist victory in the election.

Sydney Arnold and his supporters continued to hold meetings, finishing with a round of big meetings the mining district. He also made an extensive tour, with a big final rally held in Holmfirth, where Keir Hardie, M.P., was his chief supporter and Stephen Walsh, M.P., speaking in support at midday meeting outside the steel works. Arnold was successful in securing the seat for Holmfirth and in 1918 was successful again this time representing Penistone his seat in 1921 due to ill-health. Ironically Arnold changed political parties in 1922 to join the Labour Party. 

(See Leeds Mercury 19 & 20 June 1912)

The Holmfirth Liberal Club and Association continued to promote Liberal principles through their winter series of lectures and talks both for members of the club and open public meetings. The programme for the series had been published in October 1912 and amongst the speakers were representatives from the Welsh Disestablishment Committee, the Home Rule Council, the Eighty Club (London), the Ninety-five Club Manchester, and the Yorkshire League for the Taxation Values. Sydney Arnold MP also planned to speak at various meetings in the division whenever possible. Many other M.P.'s and the Lord Advocate.

Alexander Ure

Wikipeadia

Alexander Ure had also booked dates to address the meetings. The South Yorkshire Free Trade Union conducted Free Trade Classes at Denby Dale and The Junior Liberal Association had fixed several meetings and speakers for young Liberals. The campaign to win hearts and minds for the Liberal cause was well under way.

(See Leeds Mercury 22 October 1912)

Lectures continued in 1914 with the first of a series of lectures on the Government’s proposals for the reform of the law in regard to land and housing was held at the club in January. B. Musgrave of the Central Land and Housing Council delivered the lecture and Councillor F. A. Roebuck presided over the event. The lecture addressed the plight of the rural population and agricultural workers and the need for a minimum wage for those workers. Musgrave stated...

“the rural population had alarmingly decreased, in spite of an increasing national population, and he instanced how agricultural production was much less than it should be. The labourer’s case could be briefly described as low wages, long hours, bad housing, and total lack of prospects. He gave facts in support of that statement, and went on to show how the Government’s proposal to extend the principle of a minimum wage to agriculturists would give the labourer reasonable conditions under which live.” 

He went on to outline what the government proposals were and then a discussion followed. (See Huddersfield Daily Examiner 23 January 1914)

Holmfirth Picturedrome

The club hosted a social evening for twenty five visitors from “The Deaf and Dumb Association, Huddersfield” in March 1914. 

The visitors had been to the Holmfirth Picturedrome, which had opened the previous year,  prior to having tea at the club. This was then followed by friendly games of whist and billiards. James Crowther proposed a toast of thanks on the behalf of the visitors and Colonel Roebuck in reply said that the club was looking forward to the return match at the Ramsden Street Institute. 
(See Huddersfield Daily Examiner 5 March 1914)

The Reform Act of 1918 caused the Holmfirth Division to be divided between Colne Valley and Spen Valley Divisions together with newly created divisions of Penistone and Wentworth. This led to the Holmfirth Liberal Association being disbanded that year after 33 years.

(See Huddersfield Daily Examiner 15 May 1918)

Holmfirth Liberal Club and Association and WW1

War memorial at Holme valley Memorial Hospital.

The club were active in recruiting men for enlistment during WW1. The annual report of the Executive of the Holmfirth Liberal Association showed that over 100 recruitment meetings had been held plus a large number of war lectures, club lectures and lantern lectures had been given. These meetings were very successful with large numbers of men enlisting for the duration of the war as a result of attending the meetings. This recruitment work was done in association with the Conservative and Labour parties in the area. The campaign continued and in June 1915 another weeks recruiting began with the London Caledonian Piper’s Band being employed to drum up interest and enthusiasm for enlistment. They were based in Penistone for the week going out to the various villages and towns of the Holmfirth Division.

Two Holmfirth Territorials were reported as being wound in France in May of that year. Lance Corporal Harry Turton and Private Sam Coldwell were both reported as being wounded in action but not seriously. 

(See Sheffield Daily Telegraph 15 May 1915; Huddersfield Daily Examiner 27 May & 1 June 1915)

The soldiers of Holmfirth who died in WW1 are remembered at the Holme Valley Memorial Hospital, Holmfirth. The inscription reads –

In

Proud and grateful memory

Of these

Our sons who died for

ENGLAND

In the Great War

1914 – 1918

The people

Of Holme, Holmfirth and

New Mill

Have erected the

Monument & Hospital

A.D. 1920

Oh England, sometimes think of them

As once they thought of you.