Upper Cumberworth Liberal Club

The Liberal Club was opened in April 1886 and was followed with a tea party held in Salem Chapel, Upper Cumberworth, to celebrate the event followed by a public meeting. The decision to form a club had come after a Liberal lecturer had visited the village and delivered a talk on Liberal principles, his aim being to organise the Liberal residents and thereby establish a Liberal club. A building had been obtained for the purpose in the village and fitted out accordingly and although the area was sparsely populated at the time there were over 40 members.

There was a large attendance at the meeting which was presided over by Mr John Wood of New House.  

Henry Joseph Wilson

Henry Joseph Wilson, Holmfirth MP attended and addressed the meeting to defend his votes. Wilson was well known for “keeping in touch” with his constituents.  He frequently visited his supporters and clubs in the area to keep them up to date with political information and to develop good working relationships with them. He was popular and the electors recognised his dedication to his role as their MP and he was a regular visitor to new Liberal Club in Cumberworth. Also in attendance was Joseph Leicester, MP, labour representative for West Ham, London. .  

James Brownhill of Denby Dale, who had been responsible for forming the club, said that people recognised the importance of political organisation and 

“hailed with pleasure the formation of a Liberal Club in Upper Cumberworth”.  

Henry J Wilson expressed his satisfaction at seeing such a large crowd at the meeting and 

“such a large proportion of ladies”. 

 He went on to say that 

“He hoped to see the ladies on the side of temperance, peace, education and everything that was good. Some people were very much afraid of ladies taking an interest in political matters”.  

By this he was intimating the Conservative formation of the Primrose League. He did think that this was a good thing as it might spur Liberal women to form similar Liberal Associations and he hoped that 

“they were all in favour of what was right and giving the people control over their own affairs.”  

He concluded by congratulating everyone on the establishment of the Liberal Club and wished them every success. Barnsley Chronicle 10 April 1886; Sheffield Independent 5 April 1886

The club placed an advert in the Leeds Mercury in 1886 to buy a billiard table.  Leeds Mercury 10 June 1886

In 1887, the Upper Cumberworth Liberal Club held its annual tea party in Salem Chapel, Upper Cumberworth followed by a public meeting. Both tea and meeting were reported to be well attended.  The meeting was presided over by John Wood of Newhouse, James Brownhill and the MP for the area Henry Joseph Wilson also attended.  .

J Littlewood, the club secretary gave his report to members on the finances and membership of the club. The accounts showed receipts for club were £9 6s 1 ½ d and expenses of £5 15s 11d leaving a balance of £3 10s 2 ½ d.  During the previous year the club had bought a billiard table costing £22, of which £18 had been borrowed at a percentage.  The table had made £14, however this had been spent on keeping the club in order. They had held a number of lectures and talks over the year which had always been well attended.  Despite this membership had fallen from 40 to 28.  Leeds Mercury 12 December 1887; Huddersfield Chronicle, 13 December 1887; Sheffield Daily Telegraph 12 December 1887