Lockwood and Salford Liberal Club
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Current premise - Humphrey Bolton geography.org
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A group of
ardent Liberals in the area felt that there was a need for a new Liberal Club
to provide
“convenient premises”
“convenient premises”
where they could meet and
“plan united action
for political matters.”
“cottage over the bridge.”
Many of the group campaigning for a new club were members of the old Salford Liberal Club which had done some good work for Liberal politics in the past and had more than 100 members enrolled. A meeting was held in Lockwood Town Hall in February 1882 to consider the formation of a new Liberal Club for Lockwood and James Kenworthy was elected to be chairman. The resolution was proposed by Reuben Hirst that
“a Liberal Club be
formed to be called the Lockwood and Salford Liberal Club and that the block of
buildings being erected at the corner of Water Street be rented from Mr Bate
for club rooms."
The buildings mentioned was a
“handsome and commodious”
“seven large and convenient rooms, including reading,
billiard, card and conversation rooms.”
Shares were sold to members in order to fund the refurbishment and furnishing of the building and 190 members were enrolled. An advert was placed in the Huddersfield Chronicle in March to say that the committee had secured the lease of the buildings. Existing members of the Salford Club were admitted to the new club and charges for new members after 3rd April were an entrance fee of 1s and a quarterly subscription of 2s.
The new
premises were officially opened in September 1882 initially with a lease of
seven years. There were between 300 and
400 people attending the occasion, including many women, partaking in
a “substantial tea”
Frederick Shaw opened the proceedings and gave a report on the club and its history to that date. He said that
“The support
hitherto had been most generous, and it was hoped that the local Liberals would
co-operate in making the club a centre of political influence and force.”
He was followed by James Kenworthy who thanked the committee for electing him as the first president of the club. He went on to thank the many friends who had given support to the club and especially the friends from Huddersfield who had gone along to help them. Edward Brook, JP congratulated the club on its inauguration and on the prominent position that it had taken in the township. Next Councillor John Sugden spoke and praised the committee for the furnishings that made Lockwood
“a beautiful club.”
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| Edward Aldham Leatham |
“success of the Lockwood and Salford Liberal Club”.
He then went on to review the political progress of the country during the previous half century.
Later Frederick Shaw wrote to William Ewart Gladstone giving him an account of the opening of the new club and its inaugural meeting. The members of the Lockwood Liberal Club were referred to in a report a few days after the letter to Gladstone, when they gave him their wholehearted support in a resolution passed at their inaugural meeting. Gladstone expressed his gratitude to the
“Lockwood Radicals”
and instructed his secretary to reply to their communication which was then published in the newspapers.
Glasgow Evening Citizen 27 September 1882; Huddersfield Chronicle 6 February, 25 March 1882, 13 & 27 September 1882; Leeds times 16 September 1882
Prior to a Royal visit by the Duke and Duchess of Albany, in 1883 the club took out an advert in the Huddersfield Chronicle offering
“Windows to be let, commanding
one of the best views of the procession.
Apply on premises or of – Frederick Shaw or Jesse Hanson, Hon. Sec.”
The Duke and Duchess visited the area to attend the opening of Beaumont Park. Huddersfield Chronicle 6 October 1883
Educational and political lectures formed part of the aims of the Liberal Club and were held throughout 1886. In Early February Ramsden Balmforth give a lecture at the club entitled
“Private Property in Land Immoral.”
After few introductory remarks as to the importance of the land question, he described "the power of landlordism" as shown by the history of the country, and referred particularly to the evictions in Ireland, and the sufferings of the Highland Crofters. He spoke also of the various land schemes at present afloat, and said that all, with the exception of one, would prove inadequate, in as much as they all tended in one form or another to perpetuate the system of landlordism. He urged that the only scheme which, in his opinion, would go to the root of the matter was the nationalisation of the land, and hoped that those present would not be satisfied with anything else. He concluded by giving a glowing account of the benefits which might be expected to accrue from this scheme, contending that our overcrowded cities and towns might be relieved of their surplus population, and instead of poverty and wretchedness, plenty and happiness might abound. The lecture was listened to with marked attention by the large company, and at the close was warmly applauded.”
Later that month a less political lecture was given by W. Howe of Paddock on the subject of
“Queen Elizabeth”.
The lecture was purely historical but was reported as being “very interesting” and discussion had followed it.
April saw the Rev. J Porteous addressing a meeting with a
“highly instructive lecture" entitled “Joseph Mazzini, Patriot of
Italy.”
It was reported that despite the poor weather on that evening the audience was fair. Porteous described
“some
very thrilling pictures of the patriot when in prison, and when he was fighting
for Italy's independence"
and he was well applauded for his efforts. Ben Turner of Lockwood was the speaker in November, addressing the meeting on the subject of
“Pauperism and Poverty.”
Turner spoke mainly about
“the unequal distribution of wealth, overcrowding in
our large towns, and the drunkenness which prevails, as being the chief sources
of misery, and urged as remedies the nationalisation of the land, less hours
for a working day, and more power to deal with the licensing question.”
The lecture was well received and an “animated
discussion” followed over which George
Turner presided.
In December a lecture was delivered by Samuel Ivlson of Moldgreen on the subject of
“Rags and Bones!”
Ivlson explained how rags and bones were collected, with about 60,000 persons being employed in this business. He showed to what use rags were put, such as the making of various kinds of paper, specimens of which he produced, and the bones which were need for making knife and fork handles. Ivlson gave an interesting description also of his travels into France and Belgium in connection with the trade. The lecture was seen as being
“of a very instructive character, and was listened to with
marked attention throughout.”
It concluded with questions from the audience. Huddersfield Daily Examiner 4 & 26 February, 21 April, 24 June, 18 November & 17 December 1886.
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| Joseph Bottomley Firth |
The club held a meeting in the Bentley Street Schoolroom in January 1888 to hear an address from Joseph F. Bottomley Firth, former MP for Chelsea who spoke about the
“Irish Question.”
There was a good attendance for the meeting which was chaired by Joseph Woodhead, MP for the Spen Valley. On opening the meeting Woodhead read out a letter from J. B. Robinson which stated
“The duty
of the Liberals in the Colne Valley Division is self-evident. It is to return
to Parliament at the very first opportunity a thorough Liberal’, who will
heartily support Mr Gladstone and his policy. The Tory action in Ireland is a
National disgrace and an outrage upon civilisation.”
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Joseph Woodhead, MP.
Kirklees Museums collection
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The chairman, Joseph Woodhead, went on to add
“that
Lord Salisbury, speaking recently at Derby, said abundant provision bad been
placed upon the statute-book to prevent an unjust or extortionate landlord from
injuring his tenants. Well, if it had been placed there, how was it that the
Power had not been exercised in Ireland to prevent extortion? And if it were
there, it had been placed there against the will of the Tories.”
In light of the strong feelings against the government’s policy the meeting proposed a resolution which stated
“That this meeting protests against the unconstitutional
manner in which the Government are carrying out their coercive policy in Ireland,
and hereby expresses its approval of the proposal to give Ireland a separate
Parliament to deal with Irish affairs exclusively and records its unabated confidence
in Mr Gladstone, and trusts that he may be spared to bring, about a true union
between Great Britain and Ireland.”
Bottomley Firth then addressed the gathering and dealt with the condition of tenantry in Ireland and the problems that the country had particularly in light of the government policy of the day.
The resolution was passed unanimously and with
“great enthusiasm.”
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| Lockwood Town Hall, Kirklees Images |
Later that year a meeting of Lockwood inhabitants was held in Lockwood Town Hall to discuss the formation of a new central Liberal Club. The lease had expired and the building was insufficiently large enough for the club’s needs due to the large increase in numbers. Therefore a search for much larger premises were needed and a committee was formed to oversee the decision and bring it into effect. In February 1888 they entered into negotiations to buy “Royds House.” The house had also been known as “Sun Royd” and had previously been the home of the surveyor and architect John Henry Abbey who had designed Huddersfield Town Hall and had died in 1880 aged just 49.
Historic England has Royds House listed as being a grade 2 listed building based on Swan Lane. Their description of the building states that it is of hammer dressed stone, pitched stone slate roof, two storey’s high with three 4 light stone mullioned windows on the first floor and one on the ground floor, one bipartite and one tripartite sash on ground floor.
The club experienced a few failures in the negotiations although it is not stated what these amounted to, but were finally successful in its purchase and secured it for a sum of £550. In addition to this the club went on to spend £300 to erect a large billiard room.
The furnishing of the club was mainly done by its members which enabled them to save a great expense and the whole of the cost of the club was around £900. To provide ways and means of raising the money required a limited company was formed and shares were bought by members and friends of the club. Additional funds were raised by a mortgage on the property. Membership of the old Salford Club had been about 50, but the new club had over 300 on its opening day.
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William Summers, MP
Kirklees Museums collection
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In the interim period William Summers was a frequent visitor to the club. He called in on his way home from a meeting at Berry Brow in June 1886 when he dropped in at the Lockwood Club and gave a short address to the members who received him “enthusiastically.” Reuben Hirst said “they had never had more enthusiasm in reference to a candidate, nor had the canvassing been more encouraging.”
1889 saw the opening of the new premises of the Lockwood and Salford Liberal Club by the James Stansfield, MP. Stansfield had been met at the station by Alderman Reuben Hirst and William Summers, MP and driven to the club premises in Swan Lane. On arrival he was greeted by a large crowd of cheering people. R. Hirst addressed the crowd and presented James Stansfield with a gold gilt key bearing an inscription and the wards being worked into the monogram. After the formal opening Stansfield addressed the gathering remarking that
“a club was almost a necessity in modern
times and they were quite right in securing an institution for Lockwood.”
After the formalities Reuben Hirst entertained Stansfield, Summers and other gentlemen to dinner in the club whilst a tea party was held in Hanson Lane School for the
“general body of supporters.”
In the evening a meeting, with a large attendance, was held in the Town Hall which had been arranged by the Huddersfield Junior Liberal Association together with the Lockwood and Salford Liberal Club committee. William Summers was in the chair joined by James Stansfield, MP, J L Carew MP, Aldermen Glenndinning, Reuben Hirst and G Brook; Councillors Jepson and Bland, together with F B Woodhead, Thomas Denham, James Kenworthy, S A King, E F Brook, Charles Wheawill, Herbert Tinker and T H Moore. When Summers rose to his feet to speak he was
“heartily cheered”
by the crowd. After his speech he welcomed James Stansfield to Huddersfield thanked him for his
“eminent public services”
which was carried unanimously by the gathering. When Stansfield took the stand he spoke about current politics and in particular about the issues in Ireland and hoped that there would be a resolution in the near future without the harsh measures that had been meted out so far. The meeting passed a resolution in its condemnation of the
“harsh and unjust methods of the administration of Irish affairs by the
present government”
and declared
“its confidence in Mr Gladstone and the
Liberal leaders and in their policy of justice and conciliation towards the
sister country and all general reforms laid down at the recent meeting of the
national federation at Manchester.”
The aim of the club committee was to promote the
“intellectual improvement”
of members by means of lectures and
entertainments and to
“carry on the institution on the most useful and
respectable lines.”
Leeds Mercury 6 January 1888 & 7 December 1889; Huddersfield Chronicle 25 March 1892
The club held a “smoking concert” in January 1891 in aid of the bazaar fund. J. Dyson presided over proceedings. Toast were made to the health of Reuben Hirst, club president and to the
“Success and prosperity of Lockwood and Salford
Liberal Club”
amongst other more traditional toasts. J. Dyson was president of the “smoking club” and he explained to the gathering that this had been formed for the purpose of
“swelling the bazaar
fund and he hoped that they would all attend the concerts so that a substantial
amount of money would be handed over to the bazaar committee.”
During the evening a selection of songs were performed by two visitors Mr Mitchell and Mr Thompson. Recitations were given by club members
“in a
most refined and artistic manner.”
The final toast was made to the ladies of the bazaar committee and the evening finished around midnight.
Ernest Woodhead delivered a lecture in February on the subject of
“Thomas Davis, the Irish Poet and Patriot.”
Woodhead’s lecture was listened to with great interest and his “well chosen” remarks regarding the traits of character of Thomas Davis and the manner in which he pointed them out gained Woodhead much applause from the audience. He proved to be a popular speaker with club members.
By the time of the annual meeting in April the club could boast 250 members. Two of the club’s founding and long-time members, Alderman John Varley and Nathaniel Berry had died earlier in the year, the latter had been a particularly active member of the club. Due to the success of the Christmas singing party it had been decided to form a “singing class” with Abel Quarmby offering to instruct
“as
many as were willing to learn the rudiments of singing free of charge.”
The choir would appear to have been very successful as there is a report of
“Lockwood Liberal Club Band and Choir”
performing at Bentley Street PSA at Christmas 1893.
Later that year the club enjoyed an evening of musical entertainment, both vocal and instrumental when Darby Evans brought a glee party to provide an evening’s entertainment for members which also seems to have provided a stage for Abel Quarmby their choir master. J. Dearnley, the club president introduced Evans and his party which then proceeded to go through the programme for the evening. The respective members of the party performed the following programme –
"Here's
life and health," Quartet Party, consisting of Messrs. Townend, Ackroyd,
Shambrook, and Bamford; song, “Rocked in the cradle of the deep," Mr. J.
F. Longbottom; flute solo. "Beloved star," Mr. Quarmby; glee, “Hail,
bounteous May." Quartet party ; duet, " Excelsior," Messrs. Ackroyd
and Longbottom ; song, "The diver," Mr. Bamford ; Hate solo,
"The lover and the bird," Mr. Quarmby ; song, "The maid of the
mill," Mr. Ackroyd; glee, "Of a' the airts," quartet party ;
song, "Village blacksmith," Mr. Longbottom ; flute solo, from
"Mikado, Mr. Quarmby ; song and chorus, "Sweet Aline," Mr.
Ackroyd and party ; glee, "When evening's twilight," quartet party.
In addition to the programme T. Harrison, a member of the club, sang a comic song, entitled
"A little thing that's
known to you and me,"
in which he introduced the Clitheroe abduction case, and which gave much amusement to his audience. The performers were reported as being of a very high order, with every member of the party acquitting themselves in a very creditable manner. The duet, “Excelsior," by Messrs. Ackroyd and Longbottom, was splendidly rendered, and was received with much applause. William Buckley gave a speech of thanks to Evans and his party which caused much amusement to the audience. In it he said that
“he had
always connected Evans with school children and that he was under the
impression that it was to be a party of that kind that he was bringing to
Lockwood. However he was pleased to see that he had some influence amongst men
singers as well!”
Evans responded and thanked the audience for the “very good attention” and promised to return to give another performance during the winter.
In December 1891 the club hosted a tea and meeting to honour two members who had achieved posts of honour in the County Borough of Huddersfield. Reuben Hirst had been appointed Mayor of Huddersfield and W. Jepson and been returned to represent Lockwood Ward on the Town Council. To celebrate Christmas that year they held a
“Christmas Singing Party.”
Another “Smoking concert” was held in January 1892 arranged by the junior members of the club and it attracted a large audience. Doctor Priestley chaired the event and various club members performed as reported in the Huddersfield daily Examiner –
“Songs
were ably rendered by the following:—Messrs. S. Armitage, J. A. Boothrovd, J.
Aspinal, Fred Hirst, Sam Jessop, W. Balmforth, Robert Gledhill, F. Lindley, P.
Jackman and E. Roberts. Mr. A. W. Lambert played two brilliant solos on the
piano during the evening. Mr. Arthur Liversedge presided at the piano, and
accompanied the songs in a very creditable manner. A vote of thanks was
accorded Mr. T. B. Atha for his kindness in supplying tobacco for all present.”
One cannot imagine nowadays holding a concert for smoking let alone having tobacco provided!
In January 1892 the club took an advert in the Huddersfield Daily Examiner to make a preliminary announcement of the fund raising bazaar they were to hold in March. Another advert appeared in the paper for the event in early March. It was described in the heading as “A Grand Rustic Bazaar” and would be held in the club rooms on Swan Lane, Lockwood at 11 o’clock am, on Thursday 24th March 1892 and for the two following days. There would be not only a sale of goods, which the ladies associated with the club had been working on for over a year, but evening entertainments too. Lunch was served on both days with tickets on sale for 2s 6d each. The price of an entry ticket to the bazaar was 2s 6d for all three days or 1s 6d Thursday up to 6pm 1s afterwards, Friday was 1s with 6d after 6pm and Saturday was 6d all day.
The objective of the bazaar was to clear off the debt of £900 on the club premises and so on the 24th March 1892 the “Rustic Bazaar” was opened. After the three day event closed there was a profit of £500 less than hoped for but which went some way towards clearing their debt. It had been planned that Mrs Abel Buckley, of Ryecroft Hall, Audenshaw would open the bazaar on its first day but due to the death of her brother in law, she was unable to attend. Alderman Godfrey Sykes stepped into the breach and opened the first day. The club banner and the Union Jack were displayed in the grounds of the club at the entrance advertising the fact that something was happening there that day. As crowds built up outside the building, attention was drawn to the event and the bazaar filled up with even more people. The decoration of the spacious billiard room had been “entrusted” to Messrs. Womersley of Leeds. Under their supervision the room had been transformed into a representation of
a “rustic village”
with the shops utilised as the stalls. These were crammed with every variety of fancy and useful articles and one speaker remarked about them
“that there was not room to show
the whole of the work of the ladies.”
Each stall had a distinctive flower as its emblem and the stall holders wore a button hole of their stalls particular flower.
Despite the club membership being men only the stalls were staffed mainly by women -
Stall 1, The Rosemary — Mrs. E. S. Hilton, Mrs. Parker Lodge, Mrs. Joseph Stott, Mrs. George Crab- tree, and Mrs. John Owen. Stall 2, The Daffodil. — Fancy Stall. — Mrs. A. Shaw, Mrs. J. W. Mattin, Mrs. Fred Jenkinson, and Mrs. Albert Bottom. Stall 3, The Bluebell. — Mrs. A. H. Gledhill, Mrs. T. A. Crowe, Mrs. F. A. Armitage, and Mrs. Oscar Bottom. Stall 4, The Violet — Mrs. Joseph Gledhill, Mrs. Bray, Mrs. James Leonard, and Mr. John Armitage. Stall 5, The Buttercup and Daisy. — Mrs. E. Gill, Mrs. William. Beaumont, Mrs. D. Townend, Mrs. J. Greenhalgh, and Mrs. Holland. Stall 6, The Foxglove. — Mrs. John Wood, Miss Armitage, Miss Dearnley, Miss Gill, Miss Priestley, and Miss Noble. Members and Advertisement Stall. — Twenty gentlemen. Flower Stall— Miss Brown, Miss Mallinson, and Miss Hilton. Refreshment Stall. — Miss Hirst, Miss S. Hirst, Miss L. Hirst, Miss H. A. Hirst, Mrs. Edward Armitage, Miss Kenworthy, and Miss Taylor. Afternoon Tea. — Miss Lodge and Miss Clara Lodge. Tea and Luncheon Room — Superintendent, Mrs. A. H. Gledhill, assisted by 18 ladies. Bean Tub. — Miss Ada Stott, Miss Bray, Miss Maude Smith Leonard, Miss A. Littlewood, Miss Florence Sykes, Miss Lee, and Miss Brook, Masters Oscar H. Gledhill, Arthur Crowe, Harry Crowther, and Ernest Gledhill.
There was a good attendance at the opening ceremony and Councillor W. Jepson, presided alongside Godfrey Sykes, and Councillors Bland and Moorhouse, Messrs. Charles Kaye, James Dearnley, Arthur Shaw, Edward Sugden, Lewis Shaw, and Mr. A. Gledhill (secretary) joining them on the platform. The local MP, William Summers had sent a letter of apology for his absence at the event which the club secretary read out to the crowd. Mrs Buckley had also sent a letter of apology together with a cheque for £15 and expressed her hope that the bazaar would be successful. When Councillor Jepson addressed the crowd he expressed his hope that not only would the bazaar be a financial success but that it would
“be the means of strengthening each of them in their Liberalism and
enable them to go out into the world and do life’s duty, acting upon the
principles which those who were absent, if they had been present, would have
advocated.”
He then went on to refer to the hard work of the ladies involved in preparing the bazaar and then introduced Godfrey Sykes. When Sykes spoke he recognised the immense amount of work undertaken by the women and ventured to say that the bazaar
“was largely dependent on the labour which had been
supplied by the ladies. Without their skill, taste, ingenuity and busy fingers
he felt certain it would have been impossible to have gathered together so
large a collection of useful and artistic goods.”
James Dearnley spoke to the audience and echoed the words of Sykes praising the ladies work and saying he did not think
“there were any harder workers in
Huddersfield.”
The second day was opened by Miss Kitson, daughter of Sir James Kitson. Her father was amongst those present on the platform together with County Alderman John Bower Robinson (Marsden), John Crowther, F. Eastwood, Alderman G. Brook, Councillor Moorhouse, Councillor Jepson, Mr. W. Armitage, and others. John Bower Robinson presided over the proceedings and when he addressed the crowded he recollected a previous visit he had made to Lockwood when the area had been considered a
“hotbed of
Liberalism” and went on to say that he hoped that now “it was equally warm as a
supporter of Radicalism.”
He then introduced Miss Kitson to open the bazaar. She began by addressing the crowd –
“Mr.
Robinson, Ladies and Gentlemen, everything must have a beginning. Perhaps it
may be a surprise to you when I tell you that this is the first time that I
have ever undertaken what is to me a trying and embarrassing task, that of
opening a bazaar. I must confess that it gave me much pleasure to receive and
accept your invitation. I knew that I was coming amongst those who had received
my father with so much kindness, and to serve, in however small a degree, those
who I felt are earnestly seeking to confer upon him the distinction and
responsibility of representing a great manufacturing constituency in the
Imperial Parliament. The cause we are all seeking to advance is the cause of civil
and religious freedom and the cause of righteousness. On these are rounded the
welfare and happiness of the people. This cause and these principles your club
is designed to promote and secure, and believing this it is with pleasure and
satisfaction that I wish success to your present enterprise, and I hope that the Lockwood and
Salford Club may long flourish. I now, requested, declare this bazaar again
open, and I await with confidence the further development of the day.” It is
unusual to have the words of a woman speaking at a club event reported in
full. She was thanked by Joseph Crowther
and F. Eastwood and both gentlemen remarked that they “were confident that Miss
Kitson would after that day be in great demand at bazaar openings.”
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| Sir James Kitson |
Sir James Kitson spoke next and explained that although he was standing for election in Huddersfield he
“understood
that many freeholders who voted in the Colne Valley Division were members of
the club and were inhabitants of the district; therefore, he took this
opportunity of paying them his respects and canvassing them and of expressing
the wish that they would be on the right side in the coming contest, and of
course, the right side was that represented by himself.”
Entertainments were held on each evening and proved to be very popular. At the close of the three days the bazaar yielded a profit of £500 which went some way towards clearing the club debt.
The annual meeting of the club the following month showed a membership of 200 ordinary members and 30 honorary members a decrease of 20 on the previous year. The report stated that the club had
the “warming apparatus”
repaired to proper working order and the rooms were made more comfortable for members so there had been some heavy expenditure by the club.
They had also joined with other clubs in the area to go on a visit to Studley Royal the seat of the Marquis of Ripon. However this had not been a success and the club had suffered financially. No mention was made at the annual meeting about the proceeds of the bazaar as the final total had not been calculated at that point. Huddersfield Daily Examiner 10 & 16 January, 13 February, 3 April, 4 & 9 May 1891, 23 January, 5, 7, 25 & 29 March 1892, 29 December 1893; Huddersfield Chronicle 25, 30 March, 2 April & 7 May 1892
Lectures continued to be a feature of the club during the 1890s, usually occurring during the winter months beginning the series in November. Although in the 1891/2 season they had a limited amount due to members being engaged in preparations for the forthcoming bazaar of that year. However they did manage one by William Darby Evans, secretary of the Peace Society, London. His subject had been
“Pioneers of Peace”
and William Jepson, who chaired the meeting, commented in his introduction
“that the subject was very
appropriate to true Liberalism as it embodied the principles of progress,
truthfulness, righteousness!"
And he went on to quote William Ewart Gladstone as an example. Darby was well received by a large audience and he began by giving some background history to his subject and the Peace Society which had been formed in 1816 chiefly by the Society of Friends (Quakers). The lecture was listened to attentively by the audience throughout and a hearty vote of thanks was unanimously given to Darby at the close. The Almondbury Handbell Ringers provided an evening’s entertainment that year which it was reported
“gave great
pleasure to the members.”
In February 1893 Charles Wheawill, of the Huddersfield Junior Liberal Association spoke on
“Taxation and Expenditure, who
pays the taxes and how they are spent.”
R. Wood chaired the meeting and there was reportedly a
“fair
attendance.”
Wheawill went fully into his subject and
“dealt very forcibly with
the way taxes are collected and spent.”
Although thanks were given to the speaker at the close of the meeting there is no record of discussion or debate about the matter.
A lecture by W. H. Hinchcliffe on the subject
“The Signs of the Times”
was delivered in January 1894. It was reported that the lecture was “instructive and interesting” and was delivered to a “very fair audience” but prompted only a little discussion afterwards.
The winter monthly series of lectures of 1894 was launched in November that year, by John William Thornton who spoke on
“How
the Liberals won the County Franchise, and who were their opponents.”
Again there was reported a fair audience with the lecture being “both interesting and instructive” but again there is no report of any debate or discussion. John William Thornton opened the lecture series again in 1895 with a talk on
“The Life of Richard Cobden.”
Huddersfield Daily Examiner 13 March 1891, 25 February 1893, 13 January, 10 November 1894 & 26 November 1895
Club Farewells.
In 1891 the club said goodbye to John William Thornton, who was one of the oldest and most respected members of the club at the time. He had been one of the inaugurators of the club and a boyhood friend of Samuel Crowther another loyal member. A large group of members gathered in the conversation room at the club to bid him farewell as he was leaving to settle in the USA. Thornton, who was a woollen spinner by trade, had spent two years there at a time when he was unemployed. He had travelled there partly out of curiosity as well as searching for employment. He had left his wife and family in Yorkshire while he travelled. Thornton visited several states in the U.S. and where he found the woollen industry carrying on he was successful in gaining employment and good wages. Finally he decided to settle down in Providence, Rhode Island. Thornton shared his observations and opinions about the differences in the welfare of working men in Britain and America. His opinion was that America was to
“be preferred for a working man”
and he supported his views with statistics and reports to demonstrate this. This being the case he had taken the decision to return to Lockwood with the intention of breaking up his Lockwood home and taking his wife and family back to the states with him with the prospect and hope of a better life for them all there. The farewell gathering was held just a few days before his departure. In 1894 and 1895 a John William Thornton gave lectures at the club. Whether this was the same man or another of the same name is unknown.
D. Priestley was another who had also
been a very active member of the club for many years who made the trip to
America. Priestley left the club in April 1895 and was given a send-off with a
social gathering. He was presented with
a silver mounted Meerschaum pipe on behalf of the junior members of the
club. Songs were sung by the members
during the evening before Priestley was sent on his way with
“many hearty
wishes for future welfare and prosperity”
for him and his new wife.
The annual meeting in March 1893
showed the total numbers of members as 180 plus 30 honorary members, this was a
decrease of 20 from the previous year. However the financial reports showing
the club to be in a sound financial position. A new committee was elected at
the meeting with Ralph Wood replacing William Brooke as Club President.
August saw the club competing in a
cricket match against the Huddersfield Daily Examiner office after which a tea
was held in the club rooms for competitors and friends. Following on from this
they played billiards and whist and shared a sociable evening together. It was
hoped at the time that this would become an annual event.
Huddersfield Chronicle 30 March 1893. Huddersfield Daily Examiner 5
August 1893
There was a rumour about the club
reported in the Huddersfield Chronicle in January 1895 which originated from a rumour
that was circulating in Lockwood. The story went that the members of the club
wished it to be open on a Sunday and so a meeting of members was called. The
result of a vote at the meeting was to increase the facilities for drinking on
a Sunday in the club and this was carried by a majority of one! There was some
dissatisfaction at the result and so another meeting was called which upheld
the decision but with a far greater majority.
This was a stormy time for the club and Alderman Reuben Hirst strongly opposed
the proposal for Sunday opening and the reports states that when it was finally
carried he
“withdrew in high dudgeon” to his home, Rockfield.
When Christmas came around some of
the club members made their way to Rockfield where in previous years they had
been made welcome. Not so on this occasion when they were not recognised and
were turned away. It was said that when they returned to the club they played a
childish prank of turning Alderman Hirst’s portrait to face the wall! The paper
criticised the prank stating
“Alderman Hirst is a man of strong and decided
opinions. He has a perfect right both to bold and to express them. His
dispensation of hospitality is likewise within his right, and to express
dissent from him and seek to punish him by an indignity to his portrait is
alike mean and contemptible.”
A letter from the club secretary, J.
Vickerman, a few days after the report was published, corrected what had been
said in the paper. He said that the criticisms were “very misleading” and asked
for “equal prominence” for his corrections.
Vickerman told the paper that although the club was opening on a Sunday
there would not be
He went on to refute the prank that had been rumoured saying it
Likewise Alderman Hirst had not taken an active part in resisting Sunday opening as he had not attended any one of the meetings to discuss it. Whether the incident at Rockfield at Christmas was also just rumour is unknown. Huddersfield Chronicle 1 & 3 January 1895
“increased facilities for drinking as intoxicants are not
served or sold to members on a Sunday.”
He went on to refute the prank that had been rumoured saying it
“is
utterly devoid of foundation.”
Likewise Alderman Hirst had not taken an active part in resisting Sunday opening as he had not attended any one of the meetings to discuss it. Whether the incident at Rockfield at Christmas was also just rumour is unknown. Huddersfield Chronicle 1 & 3 January 1895
By 1900 the club was holding a monthly social evening and it was at one of these events in November 1901 that a ceremony to unveil a portrait was held. The portrait was of James Kenworthy, a former president of the club who had also been a representative for Lockwood on the Town Council and a member of Huddersfield Board of Guardians. The club felt indebted to Kenworthy for all his efforts in the club over the years particularly in developing the club premises and facilities. The portrait had been presented to the club by Kenworthy although he was not present at the vent to unveil it that honour fell to Councillor Jepson. On unveiling it Jepson said that
“He characterised
the portrait as a speaking likeness, and when it was hung on the walls of the
club, side by side with other examples of perseverance, it would encourage and
inspire the coming generation of members and future committees to grapple with
those puzzling questions which arose from time to time.”
He went on to speak of the time when Mr. Kenworthy and he worked together on the Board of Guardians and how, though their opinions sometimes differed, James Kenworthy was a stickler for what he thought and believed to be the right and proper course. Kenworthy replied and thanked them all for their kind comments and said that
“it affected him very much to
have his portrait so kindly received.”
The evening continued with musical entertainments including music hall “ditties” and comic songs interspersed with speeches. Huddersfield Daily Examiner 14 November 1901
The club once again held a bazaar in 1905 with the intention of reducing club debts. It was held over three days and realised a total of £314 which after expenses had been deducted left a net profit of £250. Leeds Mercury 23 October 1905
In 1906 the club celebrated the inauguration of the newly appointed committee by holding a tea and “smoker”. A large company of people assembled at the club and disposed of
“substantial and homely viands”
which had been prepared and served by Mr and Mrs Froment, club caretakers. When tea was over and the tables had been cleared a “smoker” was held with Joe Jessop, club president, leading the proceedings and introducing a “high class programme” which was gone through with
“vivacity and enthusiasm!”
The entertainment included
“violin solo, by Mr. J. Greenhalgh, playing ll Travatore, La Somnambula
and Nocturne (Chopin); humorous songs by Mr. W. Brook, It’s been a nice day, I
wonder what he's going to do next?; Walking home with Angeline and If the
Missus wants to go! Mr. W. McCracken gave The Toilers, The While Squall." and”
Down the Vale and Mr N Eastwood sang The Bandelero, A hundred fathoms deep, The
Goodwin Sands and the Admiral's Broom. At the piano Mr. H. Stather contributed
largely to the success of the entertainment.”
The success of the evening led to the
suggestion that the event became an annual occasion.
Huddersfield Daily Examiner 1 May 1906
Social events held under the auspices
of the club were very popular. They held an annual dance on New years Eve 1906
in the Mechanics Hall and an attendance of over 200 members and friends
gathered for the celebrations. The musical part of the evening was provided by
J. Jessop’s Quadrille Band with E. Schofield acting as Master of Ceremonies for
the evening. Dancing was enjoyed by the gathering until “a very late hour” with
refreshments being served at intervals by Mr Froment, club caretaker aided by
Messrs Stocks and Sykes. March of 1907 saw Fred Balmforth and John Sykes
unanimously adopted as Liberal candidates for the election of Guardians. Huddersfield Daily Examiner 4 January &
6 March 1907
Lectures continued to be a feature at the club and a regular speaker was A. Withy. In February 1907 he delivered a lecture on
“Liberalism and Socialism”
to a large audience of members and friends after which an “animated discussion” followed.
Later that month he addressed the Lockwood Women’s Liberal Association. A lecture on
“The Dignity of Labour”
was delivered in January 1908 by the Rev. Phillip Reynolds. The lecture had been arranged by the “Reading Circle” of the club. Rev Reynolds had “a splendid reception” from the audience and began by stating
“that all work was
divine and every idler was out of harmony with God.”
He then went on to explain that “work” was not a curse but a privilege, it created wealth and that the labouring classes were the backbone of the nation. After speaking at some length he concluded by denunciating
“those who became over enriched at the
expense of the workers.”
He received great applause both during and after his lecture.
Whist drives proved to be very popular events at the club and one such meeting was held in March 1907. Over forty people took part and there was great interest in the games. This seem to be one of the few events where the women of the club were also included and played in their own matches during the evening. A pleasant social evening with supper followed the matches where prizes for the winners were distributed. Huddersfield Daily Examiner 13 February, 15 March 1907; 6 January 1908
A meeting to consider the candidature municipal elections of 1914 was held at the club. It was very well attended and enthusiastic support was given to Fred Dyson of Spring Gardens. He was unanimously invited to stand at the Liberal candidate for the Lockwood Ward and a working subcommittee was appointed to further his candidature. Huddersfield Daily Examiner 29 July 1914
Towards the end of WW1, in 1918, the club held a bazaar and sale of work, which was re-opened on the Saturday by Joseph Turner. Sir William Raynor presided over the event and addressed the crowd with the main reference of his speech being the plight of the men who had served since the early days of the Great War and were waiting to return home. He went on to state
“Lockwood
had a good name for real stalwart Radicalism in the past, and in the future it
would be up to every man and woman do his and her very best for Radical
principles. Now that they were getting to the end of the war they must not
forget those who had borne the burden the heat of the day. They had do their level best bring the boys
home, but there was one thing they must stick to tenaciously. The boys who went
out fearlessly the beginning of the war had earned their discharge and they should
be the first men to be discharged. The promise was made to these boys when they
enlisted for three years the duration of the war, that after they had served
their full time they would discharged, and they could not too strongly insist
that promise being honoured.”
Turner went on to say that
“they would all agree
that the motto in Huddersfield was: "Try our best and then leave it.’
He thought that was the motto which inspired Liberals in Lockwood. It was something if they could do their best and then be contented, but they must be sure that they had done their best. It was important that those lads who had gone out and done their best, those who went first especially, should get their discharge. Sir William urged
“They had got to a very
critical stage in history; they had all had an experience such the world had
never known, and they had shown the world that the people here were out for
right and for everything that tended to lift people to a higher type of living.
At this stage it behoved them all know exactly what they were going to do the
future. They had done a great deal in the past, a great deal, of which in later
days they would all be proud. But there was great deal still do. They could not
leave their work at this period. No one could sit down and leave his task
someone else. They were people who had been staunch to the liberal cause right
up to the present and he didn't think they had any regrets. Their principles
had not only worked in the Great War, but had won through the length and
breadth of the civilised world, and they hoped that the whole population of the
civilised world would better for those principles. They had now to choose
between their principles and others. They had a man who, they were told, had done
a great deal during the war. Then was no man or woman among his hearers who
would dispute it, but there were thousands who had done great deal during the
war. If one man had done much, then now was not the time to come and ask the
people give him new contract. The time for new contract when this war was finished.
Then they would give him one and increased wages and all the support asked for.
They wanted to put men they knew were true to the principles they held, and
they didn’t want them to be given powers they didn’t believe in. They must know
those men were going do for them. They had their man, and that man was Alderman
Woodhead and they knew that all the support that could be given to the men who
had done so much to bring the war to final issue be given by him. They wanted
man who would stand the test of time. They, as a party, had done great deal the
past, but what they had done would small compared with what they were going to
do. He hoped that they would carry out their future work true Liberal spirit.”
At that point he declared his pleasure in reopening the sale. To close the reopening ceremony Sir William Raynor made a presentation, on behalf the club, of a silver purse to Kathleen Harrop, daughter Mr. Willie Harrop, a member, who had sold £50 worth of bank tickets. The object of the bazaar had been to free the club of a debt of £350 and when a meeting of the Bazaar Committee and those who had worked on the event a profit of £520 was announced! The result received loud applause and thanks to the ladies who had done their “bit” towards such a success. A small subcommittee was instantly formed to arrange a social evening to celebrate the victory. Huddersfield Daily Examiner 25 November & 20 December 1918
The Lockwood Liberal Club worked together with the Lockwood Conservative Club each year to arrange the annual
in the town. This “treat” had begun in 1900 at the suggestion of Sir Joseph Kaye and was regarded as being of great importance in the district. 1928 saw 380 Lockwood residents aged over 60 entertained and served afternoon tea with a further 160 teas being sent out to the homes of the infirm of the area. The oldest person to attend was Sarah Morton, aged 87 and Mr T Mallinson aged 78. Tea was sent out to Mrs Moorhouse of Dog Hall who was approaching her 100th birthday. Leeds Mercury 13 February 1928
“Old
Folks Treat”
in the town. This “treat” had begun in 1900 at the suggestion of Sir Joseph Kaye and was regarded as being of great importance in the district. 1928 saw 380 Lockwood residents aged over 60 entertained and served afternoon tea with a further 160 teas being sent out to the homes of the infirm of the area. The oldest person to attend was Sarah Morton, aged 87 and Mr T Mallinson aged 78. Tea was sent out to Mrs Moorhouse of Dog Hall who was approaching her 100th birthday. Leeds Mercury 13 February 1928
 |
| 1906 map showing position of the club. |
The location of the modern club is given as 191 Victoria Road, Huddersfield HD1 3TT. The club was moved to the current premises from Royds House which was captioned “Club” on the 1905 Ordnance Survey map. The modern premises were built on part of the grounds of North House.
 |
| Current club premises |
Lockwood Women and Politics
Women had always been involved in the club, but in the background raising funds, organising bazaars and serving teas, without their help and support the club would not have been as successful. They had little if any political voice initially but then the Women’s Liberal Association was founded and this began to change. Women became more involved and interested in politics and local affairs.
The annual tea of the Lockwood and Newsome sections of the Association in February 1903 proved to be highly popular. The tea was
“patronised by a good number of
persons”
and the following meeting drew a large audience. Mrs Haigh, the ward president, chaired the meeting supported on the platform by Mrs Jabez Bell, Miss. Dixon, Mrs Stuttard and Miss Bray together with Councillors W. Jepson and G. F. Spurdens. The issue of women’s suffrage was the main topic of speeches at the event with the first two speakers addressing the subject.
Mrs Haigh spoke about the statement that women were often told to
“keep their place!”
She said she would like to ask
“What is the
woman’s place?”
In her view she considered that women had the right to speak out on those questions that effected women as well as men going on to state that
“when they got women’s suffrage they would keep their place and endeavour
to remedy the evils which beset them as a nation.”
She received enthusiastic applause. Mrs Jabez Bell, who was there representing her husband who could not be present, took the stage next making her maiden political speech. In it she said that
“In every
walk of life women have had to fight for the positions they held in public and
in social life. She was a politician, but they, the women, were handicapped in
their political efforts because they had not the vote. They had a woman as the
head of the nation, their present Queen, and yet the men refused women, who
were otherwise qualified, the right to vote. She believed that their
Christianity ought to make them interested in politics, they should never be
too religious to help the government of the country, especially when such
questions as education and intemperance were at stake. As mothers it was their duty to instil Liberal
principles into the minds of their children in order that when they became
possessed of the vote in after years they might exercise that privilege on
behalf of those questions that meant for a better government and coalition of
the people. Women could do something to remove the blot of intemperance from
the land and would be able with the vote to influence legislation that would
tend to the more effective removal of those temptations to which their children
when grown up would be subjected.” At
her conclusion she pleaded “that women should be given the chance to express
their opinions at the polling booth and she believed that women would be in a
position to more effectively assert their rights and responsibilities and widen
their sphere of usefulness.”
The evening was concluded with music and songs but certainly people returned home with much to consider.
By 1907 the Lockwood Women’s Liberal Association had become very well established and the annual tea and meeting in February of that had over 100 members and friends attending which showed the increased interest in the women’s movement and politics. Twenty six new members had been enrolled to the association since Christmas and Mrs Haigh, who was chair of the meeting, commented that this augured well for local Liberalism. Mr A. Withy spoke to the audience on the subject
“The House of Commons as it is and as it ought to be.”
In this he contended that
“to make the house truly representative adult suffrage should be
granted.”
Mrs Donkersley spoke of the
“Measures we hope to get from the
present government”
which included giving the right to vote. She spoke about the issues affecting women at that time –
“the sweating of girls in convent laundries should be prevented and periodical
inspections of these places should be compulsory.”
She went on to plead for land reform, prison reform and separate criminal courts for children. Mrs Donkersley concluded by stating that
“They did not want state socialism as
it would render the word home obsolete and parcel the women and children off
according to their degree of health. She thought that the women of the country
were awakening to their duty and urged those present to be patriotic and make
some sacrifice for it.”
The afternoon meeting was concluded with performances of piano solos by Mrs Eisenring and Miss Lees. The evening saw Misses Brook and Lees performing plus B. Sykes, Liversedge Priest and a humourist C. C. Dennison with George Webster officiating at the piano. The whole event was reported as being
“very enthusiastic and instructive.”
Later that year A. Withy addressed another meeting of the association together with Councillor G. F. Spurdens. It was reported as a “highly interesting” meeting with Withy criticising the statement made by Victor Grayson that said
“that industrial reform only began with the advent of
the Labour Party.”
Withy traced back the various industrial reforms that had been made prior to the Labour Party’s formation including the various Factory Acts, the Ten Hours Act, the Employer’s Liability Bill and the measure for safe guarding trade unions. Councillor Spurden gave an account of his visit to Lyons with the Huddersfield Municipal deputation. The women of the association listened with great interest to both speakers.
In January 1914 when the Lockwood and Salford Women’s Liberal Association held an
“At
Home”
social event which was reportedly very well attended. Councillor Walker Priest and his wife acted as hosts. A selection of musical entertainment was provided by “Miss Wood (soprano), Miss France (contralto), Mr. W. Sykes (tenor), Mr. W. Senior (bass), Mrs. R. Winn (elocutionist), Mr. S. Sellars (humourist), and Miss. Jackman (accompanist). Selections were played during the reception by Master Norman Binns. The performance were then followed by refreshments.
The Lockwood Ward of the Huddersfield
Women’s Liberal Association used the Lockwood Club regularly for its meetings.
In April 1914 the association met at Lockwood to consider letters offering
speakers, one from the Divorce Law Reform Union and another from the Sunday
Closing League. They made a decision at
this meeting to hold their annual garden party at Almondbury. Ernest
E Hirst addressed a meeting of the association members that evening on
“Current Politics.”
Their annual tea and social meeting
was held in February 1917 which was preceded by a meeting of the executive
committee. The committee were considering a paper on the subject of
After discussing this a resolution stating
The resolution was passed unanimously. The committee then selected candidates for the forthcoming Federation Conference in Halifax and went on to report on the fact that 402 war savings certificates had been taken up through the War Savings Organisation connected with their association. At the evening meeting of members it was reported that all work of a political nature had been suspended for the duration of the war. The report of the meeting state that hundreds of girls from the area volunteered to serve in the Voluntary Aid Units. The girls had been trained by Mrs Porteous and Mrs C Laycock and a number of them had been deployed to military hospitals around the country and in East Africa. Songs and recitals concluded the evening.
“The
Speaker’s Committee’s Report on Franchise and Electoral reform.”
After discussing this a resolution stating
“that this executive committee records their
satisfaction that the Speaker’s Conference has been given public assent to the
general principle of the enfranchisement of women. They believe that after this
affirmation of the principle no legislation without the inclusion of women is
possible. With regards to the suggestions for the form of the franchise, they
hope that the House of Commons may improve upon the recommendations of the
Speaker’s Conference.”
The resolution was passed unanimously. The committee then selected candidates for the forthcoming Federation Conference in Halifax and went on to report on the fact that 402 war savings certificates had been taken up through the War Savings Organisation connected with their association. At the evening meeting of members it was reported that all work of a political nature had been suspended for the duration of the war. The report of the meeting state that hundreds of girls from the area volunteered to serve in the Voluntary Aid Units. The girls had been trained by Mrs Porteous and Mrs C Laycock and a number of them had been deployed to military hospitals around the country and in East Africa. Songs and recitals concluded the evening.
Another meeting of the Women’s
Association at the Lockwood and Salford Liberal Club in July 1918 saw Dr. S. G.
Moore, a local medical officer of health, address the members on the
defining its purpose. After listening to his explanation of the purpose of the Ministry of Health Mrs Studdard proposed and Mrs Donkersley seconded that
Dr Moore suggested an amendment to the resolution changing
The ladies accepted the amendment and the proposal was carried. Women were actively involved in the politics of the times.
Huddersfield Daily Examiner 19
February 1903; 22 February 1907, 9 January, 24 April 1914; 15 February 1917
& 18 July 1918
“proposed
Ministry of Health”
defining its purpose. After listening to his explanation of the purpose of the Ministry of Health Mrs Studdard proposed and Mrs Donkersley seconded that
“the Huddersfield
Women’s Liberal Association urge the government to create a Ministry of Health
to coordinate and control the various public health services, and that in its
direction an adequate number of qualified women should be included.”
Dr Moore suggested an amendment to the resolution changing
“to control and coordinate
the various public health services”
to
"it should be a duty of the ministry to
secure adequate medical help for the people.”
The ladies accepted the amendment and the proposal was carried. Women were actively involved in the politics of the times.
Lockwood Club and WW1
Private Noble Mellor enlisted with Frank Brook (son of William Brook, JP) in the 7th Seaforth Highlanders on Whit Sunday 1915 and completed his training in Cromarty. He had formerly been a grocer’s assistant in the Primrose Hill Branch of the Huddersfield Industrial Society and was well known in Lockwood as he was a member of the Liberal Club where he played in the club billiard team, as well as having attended Lockwood Church Sunday School. Mellor had only been in France for a fortnight when he was injured in his right wrist whilst on “picquet” duty. He was returned to England and was cared for in a military hospital in Sheffield.
News was received that Privates Arthur and Joe Jessop, both sons of Sam Jessop, who for many years had been
curator of Lockwood Liberal Club, had been invalided to England.
Arthur Jessop
of the Seaforth’s, was wounded at Arras
early on Easter Monday in the head, cheek, and shoulder and was taken to the
Duchess of Connaught's Hospital, Clivedon, Bucks, where it was reported that
“he
was progressing favourably.”
Before enlisting in August 1915, he was employed
as moulder at William Whiteley and Sons, Ltd., Lockwood, and had been to the front
on three occasions. He had been home twice previously for sickness.
Joe Jessop was
also with the Seaforth’s, was sent to hospital in Guildford suffering from
trench foot and pleurisy, and was doing well. Before enlisting in February 1916 he had been employed
as a warper at Messrs. Kaye & Stewart, Lockwood. He was a member of the
Lockwood Liberal Club and a member of their billiard team. Huddersfield Daily Examiner 19 October 1915, 20 April 1917
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4403865
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1239515
