Milnsbridge Socialist Club
Milnsbridge Socialist Club
Originally known as
"Milnsbridge Labour Club" the Milnsbridge Socialist Club is about a
mile outside Huddersfield town centre in the historic Colne Valley (and within
the Colne Valley Constituency which is currently Tory held). The club has a
history stretching back to 1892 making it the oldest surviving socialist club
in the country. From its beginning it was dedicated to bringing together
trade unionists and socialists and was later affiliated to the Labour Party.
Although it closed in June 2013 after 121 years local activists joined forces
to re-open it. It is now named the
"Red and Green Club"
as Labour and Green Party
activists worked together on the campaign.
The club has been in its
current building since before the First World War. It was part of that very
early socialist movement which was established in Huddersfield and the Colne
Valley in the early 1890s. Colne Valley Labour Union was the first constituency
Labour organisation in the UK, formed in 1891.
 |
| Ben Turner, MP |
Milnsbridge Socialist Club was
formed on the 1st April 1892, making it one of the oldest Socialist clubs in the country, at a meeting of around 50 working men held,
ironically, in the local Conservative Club. One of the founders was James Turner,
uncle of local pioneer socialist Ben Turner. By August some 150 members had enrolled at premises acquired at Whiteley Bottom.
 |
| Tom Mann wikipedia.org |
The opening ceremony, in August 1892, was conducted by Tom Mann, a leader of the great 1889 Docker’s strike. The building intended for use as a club was a cottage in the town. Tom Mann addressed a meeting of 300 people from a top floor window of the building. He said that clubs such as this could
“help stimulate
thought and intellectual activity”
and that he had great pleasure in declaring the club open. In the evening he spoke to another large audience in a weaving shed belonging to Messrs Hirst Hanson & Co. He was supported by Ramsden Balmforth, a Fabian and leader of the local weavers association plus Allan Gee and J Downing who were leaders of the Local Weavers Association. Leeds Mercury 8 August 1892
From the start the club was based on the idea of bringing together trade unionists and socialists and supported the development of trade unionism in the area. Union meetings were held in the club including the Teamers in 1896 and the Dyers & Finishers in 1906. The club also supported industrial actions, for example providing financial support for disputes such as the miners in 1921 and the engineers in 1922.
They expressed a strong ethical, socialist element, supporting the work of the
'Labour Church'
in the area, a
popular movement in the 1890s which linked socialism and forms of Christianity.
Milnsbridge and the Colne valley have a long history of socialism and radicalism. Milnsbridge was a centre of Luddite activity in the early nineteenth century and in 1895 a socialist publishing business operated from premises adjacent to the club. There was a very active women's suffrage movement in the Colne valley which involved many working class activists such as Dora Thewlis.
 |
| Dora Thewlis being arrested in 1907 |
The valley was also a centre of resistance to the First World War and although the club did not appear to have any conscientious objectors although there was a strong Christadelphian congregation in Milnsbridge that did oppose the war. The club did support the ILP peace resolutions in 1916 and also donated £1 to the
"No-Conscription Fellowship"
At least two members of the club were killed during the conflict and money was raised by the club for those
After the end of the war the club passed a resolution for the
"called to the colours."
After the end of the war the club passed a resolution for the
"earliest possible release of conscientious objectors."
All this paints a picture of the background and the formation of the Milnsbridge Socialist Club.
The club left its original premises in Whiteley Bottom, moving twice before settling into the present building 42 Bankwell
Road around 1907.
It has
hosted many of the great figures of the labour and socialist movement and once
prided itself in having its own socialist brass band.
 |
| wikipedia |
Through the Colne Valley Labour Union (CVLU) the Club was
affiliated to the Independent Labour Party. Keir Hardie spoke at a meeting of
the club in 1893 and again in August at the Milnsbridge
Fairground and in the evening at Longwood Labour Club. Huddersfield Chronicle 5 August 1893
The club supported Tom Mann as ILP candidate in the 1895 election. Following his defeat, membership of the CVLU declined, although the club, with around 50 members in 1899, survived.
The club supported Tom Mann as ILP candidate in the 1895 election. Following his defeat, membership of the CVLU declined, although the club, with around 50 members in 1899, survived.
Not only did the club support the Election campaigns it continued to support the development of trade unionism, for example the Teamers held meetings on the club premises in 1896. The Dyers and Finishers used the club a decade later. It was club policy that all prospective club members were required to show a union card.
On the 5th August 1905 there was a revival of the movemt as a demonstration was held at Milnsbridge led by Thomas Russell Williams, the Huddersfield Socialist Parliamentary candidate.
 |
| Emmeline Pankhurst |
The following year Emmeline Pankhurst spoke on womens
suffrage.
 |
| wikipedia |
It was part of that broad, socialist culture which provided the bedrock which led to Victor Grayson’s epic
parliamentary victory in 1907, on a programme of radical socialism. He was committed to workers rights and women's suffrage and was an inspiration for many local people and was described as
Even though women did not have the vote at that time they "flocked" to the district to support Victor Grayson because his campaign had
"revolutionary socialist."
"Votes for women" at its heart.
When Victor
Grayson first visited the club in March 1906 there were 208 members however his victorious election
campaign in 1907 boosted membership still further. So much so that it was around this time that they were forced to move premises as the club had outgrown their available space.
In 1909 he addressed the members of the club at their annual tea and meeting. It was reported that the room was crowded with people wanting to hear what he had to say to refute his “enemies’ accusations”.
These had been that he had made a bet in a public house that he would get himself thrown out of the “house” the following day and that he was so he had won the bet!. He went on to say that if he found proof of
Victor Grayson, supported by the Huddersfield candidate Harry Snell, spoke in a field near Milnsbridge Baptist Schoolrooms when a resolution was passed condemning the Czar's visit to Britain.
In 1909 he addressed the members of the club at their annual tea and meeting. It was reported that the room was crowded with people wanting to hear what he had to say to refute his “enemies’ accusations”.
These had been that he had made a bet in a public house that he would get himself thrown out of the “house” the following day and that he was so he had won the bet!. He went on to say that if he found proof of
“one
man, either of our cause or another, who has spread that foul, lying,
scandalous rumour I shall use the present system to stop him saying so.”
Leeds Mercury 15 February 1909
Victor Grayson, supported by the Huddersfield candidate Harry Snell, spoke in a field near Milnsbridge Baptist Schoolrooms when a resolution was passed condemning the Czar's visit to Britain.
In 1911 socialist councillor, Dan
Taylor, opposed spending money on the Coronation which in turn caused an irate letter entitled
'Is Milnsbridge to be governed from
the Socialist Club?'
to appear in the local paper.
Against a background of
widespread industrial discontent, the guest speaker at the annual club tea and
meeting in 1912 was Tom Mann, now the leading syndicalist in the country. He went on to recollect his long association with the club and the Colne Valley.
 |
| Christabel Pankhurst |
Other radical figures that spoke at the club over the years included Christabel Pankhurst, co-founder of the Women's Social and Political Union and first labour chancellor Viscount Phillip Snowden.
Former Prime Minister Harold Wilson was born nearby and was a frequent visitor to the club. Examiner Live 13 August 2013.
Former Prime Minister Harold Wilson was born nearby and was a frequent visitor to the club. Examiner Live 13 August 2013.
 |
| Clarion Vocal Union Choirs at Hebden Bridge |
There was much discussion over the years around the social aspects of the club and its place as a
"working men's social club".
After one such discussion it had become a limited company and began to sell alcohol on its premises. This forced the Socialist Sunday School to seek out new premises where they could meet. In the upstairs of the building there was a large lecture room and the club members considered splitting this room to create a billiard area. However the scheme also caused arguments and was turned down on the grounds that the room was too damp!
The club became concerned that the members were losing interest in
The club became concerned that the members were losing interest in
"political and industrial affairs"
in 1924 just as the first Labour Government was elected. They had trouble gaining support for the local elections in the following year. However in 1925 a protest resolution was sent to the government protesting over the arrest of Communist leaders and showing interest in the events occurring in Russia. The club made collections during the great depression in 1926 to support a miners soup kitchen at Skelmanthorpe. They also protested against the actions of Philip Snowden, MP when he attacked A. J. Cook the miners leader in the press.  |
| Philip Snowden |
The club ensured that they promoted social and cultural activities, which helped to establish it in the community. By 1907 the Milnsbridge Clarion Vocal Union choir was established to provide
"rousing entertainment"
both at meetings - such as one addressed by J R
Clynes, MP in 1907 and at non club events.
The Clarion Vocal Union Choirs had taken the deepest root across Yorkshire and Lancashire. Hardcastle Crags and Hebden Bridge were regular venues for picnics and outdoor concerts which included
The Clarion Vocal Union Choirs had taken the deepest root across Yorkshire and Lancashire. Hardcastle Crags and Hebden Bridge were regular venues for picnics and outdoor concerts which included
"sandwiches, laughter, tea, tobacco and singing!"
The clearest example of how the club was
rooted in the local community was the formation of the Milnsbridge Socialist
Brass Band in 1908. Their formation had arisen from the difficulty of getting local bands to
take part in Socialist events because of pressure from rich patrons. So about
70 men and women pledged a penny per week towards expenses and 24 new
instruments were ordered from Hyams of Manchester at a cost of £285 of
which they had raised £100 towards the cost. Leeds Mercury 25 September 1909
Their photograph was taken outside the club and the band marched up Factory Lane and back in to Milnsbridge attracting a big crowd en-route. Tragedy struck the band a year later when Gladney Singleton, a young cornet player and son of the conductor, died of "rapid consumption" aged just 15.
By December 1910 the debt on instruments had been
cleared after a series of whist drives, bazaars and garden parties, in
addition to the fund raising needed to clear the debt on the club premises. The
band became an indispensable part of the local Socialist scene, leading the May Day
and other demonstrations and playing club events throughout the Colne Valley,
such as the opening of Socialist Clubs in Golcar in 1909 and Honley’in 1911. From 1909 the band took part in the prestigious band competition at Belle
Vue, Manchester and they came fifth in the
Huddersfield annual Band of Hope demonstration in May 1925. Eventually they
achieved some success, styling itself a 'prize'
band by 1915. Leeds Mercury 26 May 1915
In 1914 the band decided to adopt a uniform, allegedly
because it was commented at a competition at Mossley that they should not come
back until they had one!
The uniforms were ordered from Beevers of
Huddersfield at a cost of £60. Now in splendid uniforms the band led a demonstration of striking engineering labourers through Huddersfield in July 1914 to support their industrial action.
 |
| Milnsbridge Socialist Brass 1928 |
The band had initially displayed
their new uniforms at the Whit Monday festival in Linthwaite when they led a
procession of around 500 members of the church congregation plus pupils and
teachers from the church up the Height where they stopped to sing a hymn to Mrs
Henry Whiteley before continuing.
Everyone in the parade received a new penny and an orange. The parade
finished at the school with tea and buns for the children and then adjourned to
the cricket field where games and dancing
“were indulged until dark!”
Huddersfield
Daily Examiner 5 June 1914
Later in 1914 the band made a
contribution of £18 towards the relief fund for Belgian Refugees in
Huddersfield. Percy Gledhill, the secretary of the band said that the band had
given a concert in the Milnsbridge Picture Palace, which had been lent to them
for the occasion, and the cheque represented the proceeds from the event. Huddersfield Daily Examiner 15 October 1914
In July 1917 the band played at a meeting held in St George's Square. Over 3000 gathered to support the Russian Revolution and the crowd were addressed by John Bruce Glasier and Mrs Despard.
In July 1917 the band played at a meeting held in St George's Square. Over 3000 gathered to support the Russian Revolution and the crowd were addressed by John Bruce Glasier and Mrs Despard.
 |
| John Bruce Glasier, 1895 Labour Album |
By 1922 the band was in
difficulties and the club gave them a grant to carry on. However not all
the bandsmen were club members and their use of the club facilities caused
problems and disputes.
The band took part in many local
events and parades. They provided music for the parade on
“Co Operators Day”
in
Huddersfield in 1925. Leading over 4000
children in the procession arranged by Huddersfield Industrial Society.
Similarly they took part in the Carnival
Procession of June 1928 along with the Linthwaite Brass band and the
Milnsbridge Baptist Scout Band. Yorkshire
Post 6 July 1925; Leeds Mercury 22
June 1928
The band was given a
“coming of
age”
party at the club in 1929 where Ben Riley, MP and Wilfred Whiteley, MP
were the main speakers. Philip Snowden,
MP sent a letter of congratulations and a contribution to
“the birthday fund!”
Yorkshire
Post 23 September 1929
Other social activities held by
the club included a summer show of Vegetables, fruit and flowers in August 1925.
The quality of the exhibits was said to be “excellent” and entries numbered 230
which was stated to have been down on the previous year’s show. Leeds Mercury 24 August 1925
Other activities included
billiards and dominoes with teams from Milnsbridge Socialist Club taking part
in the competitions held under the auspices of Huddersfield Working Men’s Club
and Institute Union.
As in most clubs of the time, political or not, women were not allowed to be members. However the club could not have existed without the organisation and fund raising skills of the local women. The club decided in December 1923 to recognise their role and somewhat patronisingly arranged to
"provide a free tea to our female friends!"
One wonders who organised and prepared it! Finally they were granted membership to the Milnsbridge Labour Club in 1931 although they were still barred from having and official role in the clubs affairs or voting at AGMs.
All the time the club continued the work of Socialist education and agitation and it continued
to play an important part in the local labour movement, hosting
Labour Party and the life of the community. By 1939 the club was beginning to struggle with its finances having only a membership of 90. It went on to evolve into more of a social club rather than a political one, but was still part of the Milnsbridge Community.
Although it closed in June 2013 after 121 years local activists joined forces to re-open it. It is now named the
"Red and Green Club"
as Labour and Green Party activists worked together on the campaign.
Thanks to Alan Brooke, local historian, for his research and work on local political clubs and his website -
