Socialist Republic
of
South Yorkshire
of
South Yorkshire
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Monday, November 03, 2008
Uxbridge Parliamentary Constituency
Uxbridge
Parliamentary Constituency
1885-1918
1885 F.D. Dixon-Hartland Con 5,093 66.1%
J.P. Rickman Lib 2,615 33.9%
1886 F.D Dixon-Hartland Con Unopposed
1892 F.D Dixon-Hartland Con 5,172 71.8%
L.C.Probyn Lib 2,029 28.2%
1895 F.D Dixon-Hartland Con Unopposed
1900 F.D Dixon-Hartland Con Unopposed
1906 F.D. Dixon-Hartland Con 6,429 50.6%
Sidney J Pocock Lib 6,284 49.4%
1910 C.T. Mills Con 10,116 65.2%
Sidney J Pockock Lib 5,408 34.8%
1910 C.T. Mills Con 9,005 65.8%
M.C. Mallick Lib 4,286 32.2%
1915* A.R Mills Unopposed
*C.T. Mills Member of Parliament killed WW1 -1915
1918 S.Peel Con 9,814 59.1
Harry Gosling Labour 6,251 37.6%
N.M.Snowball Lib 545 3.3%
NOTES
Sidney Job Pocock
Liberal Candidate 1906 and 1910
Born 13 September 1854 Died 1931
at Broome Manor, Swindon, Wiltshire
Eighth son of Abraham and LydiaPocock
Tenant farmer from West Of England
Moved to London 1875 "Without a shilling"
Set up business with Mr F.H.Freeth wholesale milk contractor dairy farmer, which prospered into a major company and became chairman of Freeth & Pocock Ltd. later Director of Dairy Outfit Company Limited.
1894 elected Governor Metropolitan Dairyman's Benevolent Institution
Pocock had written widely on agriculture
1892 married Annie Cozens of Brockley (died 1900 during child birth) later married Kate Ethel
Visited Canada three time
Pocock was a non-conformist preacher and regular speaker at Brotherhood (Religious) meetings
Lived at Charlton Court near Shepperton (from last year)1904 and later at Surbiton Hall, Kingston
In 1912 he was knighted
He lost two sons killed in World War I (Sidney Norman Pocock- Corporal in Royal engineers killed February 1915 and Beric Edmund Pocock Lieutenant - London Rifle Brigade May 1916)
At an Liberal meeting on March 19th 1904 at Salem Baptist Church school room.
Christopher Roundell (?) stated they were fighting against money and power and besides the ordinary opposition there were those underground influences which were always in operation when they could not fix, the influence exerted by the Tory squire and Tory Parson.
In 1905 Women’s Association of Liberals in Uxbridge had four branches (Teddington being the largest)
"Liberalism had been dead and dormant in the division for 20 years" and it was 12 years since they last fought
Pocock was described as "an extremely popular candidate with a bluff and hearty manner winning the admiration of friends and opponents alike"
1906 Election Sidney Pocock proposers were:-
John James Richards and Egerton Henry Tucker proposor, seconded by Issac Ellis, George Lowe, James Smith, Albert Edward Viveash, Walter Ayres, Thomas Smith, Henry Palmer, George Spink
George Moses, Blyth Road, Botwell, Hayes (Grocer) and George Lowe Angel Lane, Hayes (Florist)1904 Uxbridge Division Liberal Association
Mr H. W. Willberforce
Maurice Gregory
J. Lane
W.L. Pewsey
Howard Hutchings
L Hutchings
T. Easton
W. Randall
Christopher Roundell PPC
J. Leno Treasurer
Noble
T. Westacott
Oliver
Rev Riches-Lowe
Roberts
Robbins
Schaltz
Vice Presidents
Rev Riches Lowe
Rev F.E. Cossey
A. Shultz
T. Wild
C. C. Robbins
W. J. Hutchings
A. Foyer
J. Mc Callum
T. Easton
J. Stanger
COMMITTEEE
Noble
Westcott
Oliver
Near
W.M. Knight
L. Hutchings
J. Smith
Randall
G. Procter
T.G. Easton
Williamson
Franklin
Norton
J.H. Tarr
Westcott
E. Proctoter
M. Gregory
Routliff
A. Swift
G. Lacey
Wilson
Liberal newspaper "Uxbridge Review"
In 1911 Sidney Job Pocock fought Devizes (Wiltshire) in his native South West England for the Liberals.
NOTE
Dixon-Hartland was with Winston Churchill founder the Primrose League (Conservative children's association)
Sunday, November 02, 2008
1966 General Election - West London
Labour Parliamentary Candidates 1966 General Election
(West London and Area)
Barnes, Michael Cecil John - Brentfod & Chiswick
Beaumont, Christopher Hubert - Harrow West
Bidwell, Sydney James - Southall
Carlton, David - Twickenham -
Chapman, Stanley John - South West Herts
Childerhouse, Kenneth William - Wembley North
Corbett, Robin - Hemel Hempstead
Elliot, Gerald Frank - Wembley South
Field, Frank - South Bucks
Floud, Bernard Francis Castle - Acton
Freeson, Reginald - Willesden East
Howie, William - Luton
Judge, Anthony - Harrow Central
Kerr, Russell Whiston -Feltham
Kyle, Keith - St Albans
Lester, Joan - Slough
MacFarquhar, Roderick - Ealing South
Maxwell, Ian Robert - Buckingham
Molloy William John North Ealing
Prendergast, Michael Kevin - South Herts
Roebuck, Roy Delville - Harrow East
Rogers, George Henry Roland - North Kensington
Rosehead, Johnathan Vivan - South Kensington
Ryan, John - Uxbridge
Skeffington, Arthur Massey -Hayes & Harlington
Smith, Peter Leonard Niall -Ruislip Northwood
Stewart, Michael - Fulham
Tomney, Frank - Hammersmith North
Tyler, Roderick Newbold - Chelsea
Williams, Shiley Vivien Brittain - Hitchin
Tuck, Raphael Herman - Watford
Thursday, October 30, 2008
What Colour is Labour - Red ?
What Colour is Labour ?
The Greater London Labour Party in 1966, carried out a survey of Constituency Labour Parties to see what colours they were presently using during elections to promote the Labour candidates.
Replies received were 56 out of a possible 104
Present Colours Red & Yellow 36
Red & White 8
Red 6
Red & Gold 3
Black & Orange 2
Replies concerning future planned uniform colour
Red & Yellow 34
Red & White 10
red 6 Red & Gold 3
Black & Orange 1
Willing to accept uniform Labour party colour
For 51
Against 4
Doubtful 1
L.G Sims Secretary Greater London Co-ordinating Committee
Transport House, Smith Square, London SW1
Chairman R. J. Mellish MP
NOTE:
Hayes Labour Party would seem to have used Red & White for many years
Nationally the Labour Party dabbled with purple at the 1997 general election
The colour Red as a "Socialist" colour probably dates back to time of the Paris Commune of 1871 (however a Red flag was raised at the Merthyr rising of 1831)
Green was the colour ?
The traditional colour of the Left in England had been Green as used by the Levellers during the English Civil War and Commonwealth 1649 to 1660 (Green twigs being placed in their hat bands - sea green blades) and the Chartists also wore Green.The Chartist used a red, white and green flag at one stage (picture) However, the Chartists also liked to carry the French tricolour to scare the aristocracy in particular. A tactic also used by Swing rioters, who hoisted a tricolour at Newington, Kent.
It was reported that this Chartist/republican flag (picture) was flown again at the Jubilee of King George V in 1935
Bill Jordan - New Zealnad
William "Bill" Jordan - New Zealand Labour Party
Born: Ramsgate, Kent
Founder of the New Zealand Labour Party
Bill Jordan was born at Ramsgate, Kent on 19th May 1879. His father was William Jordan Jordan a sea captain as was his grandfather, Jordan's mother was Elizabeth Ann Catt.
His father had been a member of the local Lifeboat crew who earned fame for exploits on the notorious Goodwin Sands.
The decline of the local fishing industry forced the Jordan family to move to London, where he attended St Luke's Parochial School (Old Street). His school career was satisfactory but brief, and having passed through the 7th Standard at the age of twelve, he left and was apprenticed to coach painting from which he resigned due to the exposure to lead poisoning.
Bill Jordan the entered the postal service in 1896 and reached a "responsible position" at the postal headquarters at Mount Pleasant, London's main post sorting centre.
It was while at Mount Pleasant that Jordan joined the progressive organisation the Fawcett Association, which had close links with the post office trade unions.
Jordan then joined the Metropolitan Police and was trained at Scotland Yard, before being stationed at Limehouse in the East End of London and later Forest Gate.
He emigrated to New Zealand in 1904 and undertook labouring, bush-farming, painting before opening a business as a trader in Waihi, moving on to Ngaruawahia.
Bill Jordan became first secretary of Wellington branch of Labour Party, becoming the first Secretary of the original Labour Party in 1907. The Labour Party was formally established on 7 July 1916 in Wellington (Jordan became National President in 1932)
In February 1917, at the age of 37, he enlisted in the army. He had been married 17 days earlier, on 30 January, at Ngaruawahia, to Winifred Amy Bycroft, a draper's assistant. He joined the New Zealand Forces serving as a Sergent and saw active service in March 1918 being seriously wounded just two weeks later and was transferred to the Educational Staff of the New Zealand Extraordinary Force.
He returned to New Zealand in 1919 and stood unsuccessful for Labour at Raglan at the 1919 General election.
His election to the New Zealand parliament was the surprise of the at the 1922 election, defeating long term incumbent Sir Fredeick Lang for Manukau. Jordan remaining a Labour Member of Parliament until 1936, when he became New Zealand High Commissioner in London in September 1936.
He remained in London during World War Two and won great respect from New Zealand servicemen and women stationed in Britain during the War, for his tireless championing of their concerns.
William Joseph died Auckland, New Zealand on 8th April 1959
He left an estate valued at £28,040 and directed that the "Jordan Fruit Panel Bowl" originally presented to him by the London Fruit Panel, should be a trophy for cricket matches between England and New Zealand teams, on the lines of the England v Australia " Ashes"
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Madge Davison - Civil Rights
Madge Davison - NICRA1950-1991
Madge Davison was born 13th June 1950 and raised in
She left school at the age of seventeen and started work as a secretary in the Falls Flax Spinning Mill on the Falls Road and soon joined the Communist Youth League.
In 1970 she took place in the breaking of the Falls curfew, when several hundred women marched in protest at being held within the area by the British Army.By the 1970's she had started working as full time organiser for the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA).
Many of her comrades in the Communist Party of Ireland who struggled to bridge the religious divide and build working class solidarity. People like Betty Sinclair President of Belfast Trades Union Council (see posting) Barry and Terry Bruton, Jimmy and Edwina Stewart, Joe Deighan, Andy Barr, Lynda Walker, Margaret Bruton, Noel Harris, Joe Bowers and many more....
Madge took part in the civil rights demonstration on Bloody Sunday in Derry, 1972 (she can be seen in television film, standing on the running-board of the lorry). Along with others she helped to organise the protest march in Newry the following week, and subsequently she organised the placing of a memorial in Derry to those who were killed.
Leader of the Connolly Youth Movement, she led the 11 4 Irish delegates at the 10th World Festival of Youth in Berlin in August 1973
She lead the tributes to Irish Communist and International Brigade leader Frank Ryan in Dresden
When her work with the NICRA finished she began to study law. She obtained a first-class honours degree from Queen’s University and became a barrister. She was respected in the profession for her ability to combine hard work with a down-to-earth approach to the law; her legal colleagues agree that she stood out as an exceptional barrister and gave much of herself to her work, standing out as a gifted advocate for human rights.
In January 1991 Madge was tragically diagnosed with cancer. She died on 27 January 1991, at the early age of forty-one, leaving behind her husband and comrade John Hobbs and two beloved young children.
Madge Davison was an outstanding communist, outstanding orator, and excellent organiser. During her short life she took part in many struggles and activities. She taught typing in Twinbrook, taught law in the Falls Women’s Centre, was an active member of the Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement, an adviser to the Rape Crisis Centre (Belfast), and a member of the Northern Ireland Women’s Rights Movement.
source: Communist Party of Ireland
Guildford LPYS
Guildford Labour Party Young Socialists 1981
Davy Alfert - Chairman
Steve Chapman - Vice Chairman
Michael Walker - Secretary
Jane Hutchinson
Jane Wilson
Liz Gibbs
Malcom Corbett
Barny Russell
Dave Eley
Rebecca Matthews
Jesica Matthews
Simon Tester
Julie Souaghy
Suzanne Otto
Richard Rogers
Carol Moffatt
Guildford LPYS was one of the few branches not to have either a member of Militant or be controlled by Militant. This at a time of their total domination of LPYS, a fact we were very proud to continue.
Work included fighting cuts in universities, health care, Guildford & Godalming Save our Services (SOS), anti racist work, CND, anti SDP work, supporting the developments of Co-operatives, working in election, Supporting the LPYS march for jobs organised by Dave Nellist (Later MP) visit to see "Cant pay wont pay" play Theatre production in London and famously flying the Red flag on Guildford Castle and red ramble and picnic on the day of the Charles and Diana Royal Wedding.
George "Bill" Bellerby
Bill Bellerby now the "elder statesman" of Guildford was born in South Wales in March 1917 educated at Penarth Grammar School and the University of South Wales, He was a school teacher, During the Second World War he served in the Queens Royal (West Surrey) Regiment 1940-1946. He came to live in Guildford in 1948.
Bill became President of Guildford Labour Party and a councillor on Guildford Borough Councillor. Stood as Parliamentary candidate for Guildford in 1955 and 1959. Elected Surrey County Councillor for Guildford, and famously in the early 1980's with his wife Doreen who also represented a Guildford ward (1981 or 1985 ?) Labour holding all three seats.
When Mayor of Guildford set up a well respected holiday play scheme, Unemployed Workers Centre also heavily involved in Education and arts issues in Guildford (Bellerby Theatre circa 1980s).
Bill Bellerby is still fighting to save local services such as the shuttle bus aged 91.
NOTE
The Red flag hoisted on Guildford castle was actually a Vietnamese flag, and was the property of the LPYS but fearing retribution from the Party was hoisted in the name of the right to work campaign after a local SWP stuff the wedding party and LPYS stuff the wedding picnic by St Catheines by the river.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Glass Workers strike 1924
Glass Workers Strike May 1924
National Glass Workers Protection Association
The strike at the United Kingdom Glass Company Works at Dawley
"The factory has been closed several months because the management endeavoured to reduce the wages of the workpeople below the recognised standard trade union rate. This the work people refused to accept and blacklegs have been introduced from Alloa in Scotland.
Local Labour activist Robert William Gunton, High Road Hayes letter 23 May 1924 Advertiser and Gazette supporting the men on strike at the Glass works,
A conference of the National Federation of Glass Workers was held at the Brotherhood Hall in Hayes during this period and Glass workers union delegates from all parts of the country, including Scotland attended.
Opening session was Councillor Robert Leach and Mr Ernest Kirby Harding
Councillor Leach the Vice Chairman of Hayes Urban District Council pledged
"the wholehearted support of the local Labour Party who have endeavoured to do all they could to help the men in what they looked upon as a very legitimate grievance" (15% pay cut)
Mr G. Chadwick the President of the Glass Workers Union stated that they should......
"Pride themselves on the discipline the members have shown" however he could not guarantee this would last if blacklegs were introduced
Mr G. Lister stated "he had been trying to settle the dispute legitimately and in a proper manner"
"They had gone so far as to accept arbitration and a reduction in wages prior to arbitration"
On Sunday 18th May 1924 a march of over one hundred Glass workers and their supporters marched through Hayes in support of the Glass workers Union strike. The procession assembled at Botwell with two banners of the Glass Workers Union and the Southall branch of National Union of Railwaymen banner and marched down Central Avenue and Longmead Road to Hayes end.
Addresses were made at a number of points and collections for the strikers taken.
Hayes Women's Section Mayday celebration that year included a speech by Mr Thompson General Organiser of the Glass Workers Union (also in attendance Mrs Gardner (Southall) and Mrs Dubberley (Uxbridge).
The National Glass Workers Protection Association established in 1920 was originally formed as the Yorkshire Glass Bottle Makers United Trade Protection Society in 1827.
The National Glass Workers Protection Association joined the Transport & General Workers Union (TGWU) in 1940.
National Glass Workers Protection Association
The strike at the United Kingdom Glass Company Works at Dawley
"The factory has been closed several months because the management endeavoured to reduce the wages of the workpeople below the recognised standard trade union rate. This the work people refused to accept and blacklegs have been introduced from Alloa in Scotland.
Local Labour activist Robert William Gunton, High Road Hayes letter 23 May 1924 Advertiser and Gazette supporting the men on strike at the Glass works,
A conference of the National Federation of Glass Workers was held at the Brotherhood Hall in Hayes during this period and Glass workers union delegates from all parts of the country, including Scotland attended.
Opening session was Councillor Robert Leach and Mr Ernest Kirby Harding
Councillor Leach the Vice Chairman of Hayes Urban District Council pledged
"the wholehearted support of the local Labour Party who have endeavoured to do all they could to help the men in what they looked upon as a very legitimate grievance" (15% pay cut)
Mr G. Chadwick the President of the Glass Workers Union stated that they should......
"Pride themselves on the discipline the members have shown" however he could not guarantee this would last if blacklegs were introduced
Mr G. Lister stated "he had been trying to settle the dispute legitimately and in a proper manner"
"They had gone so far as to accept arbitration and a reduction in wages prior to arbitration"
On Sunday 18th May 1924 a march of over one hundred Glass workers and their supporters marched through Hayes in support of the Glass workers Union strike. The procession assembled at Botwell with two banners of the Glass Workers Union and the Southall branch of National Union of Railwaymen banner and marched down Central Avenue and Longmead Road to Hayes end.
Addresses were made at a number of points and collections for the strikers taken.
Hayes Women's Section Mayday celebration that year included a speech by Mr Thompson General Organiser of the Glass Workers Union (also in attendance Mrs Gardner (Southall) and Mrs Dubberley (Uxbridge).
The National Glass Workers Protection Association established in 1920 was originally formed as the Yorkshire Glass Bottle Makers United Trade Protection Society in 1827.
The National Glass Workers Protection Association joined the Transport & General Workers Union (TGWU) in 1940.
Labour Party Youth Section - Brief History
LABOUR PARTY YOUTH SECTIONThe Labour Party finally agreed to allow the formation of local Labour party Youth Sections in 1924.
(The Independent Labour Party (ILP) had a separate Guild of Youth).
The Labour Parties decision to form youth sections was only taken out of the Parties concern at the rapid growth of the Communist Parties, Young Communist League (YCL) which had been established in October 1921 (The first YCL branches being in Manchester, Liverpool, Barrow, Sheffield, Leith, Porth and a number of other industrial centres).
In 1926 The Labour Party had over 150 Labour League of Youth sections, catering for socialist youth 14-21.
In 1933 the Labour League of Youth had 15,000 members.
The "Advance" Group established in 1935 led by Ted Willis of Tottenham South under the slogan "Self government for the Labour Youth Movement" soon won huge support within the Labour Parties youth section.
At the Easter 1936 Labour League of Youth Conference the "Advance Group" won control of the National Advisory Committee (NAC). The "Advance" journal with an initial duplicated run of 500, when it was printed in June 1936 was now to become the organ for all Labour League work.Advance not only promoted a national programme based on "Working Class Unity" but also merger with the Young Communist League.
Most London branches of the Labour League of Youth were controlled by the "Advance" group.In 1938 Ted Willis became National Organiser of the Labour League of Youth and Advance the national paper of the Labour League of Youth.
The Young Communist Leagues paper had been initially called the Young Communist but in March 1935 the YCL printed the first copy of it's famous "Challenge"
In June 1939 large numbers of Labour League of Youth branches and whole branches followed Ted Willis out of the Labour Party into the Young Communist League.
It should be noted that by 1938 over 250 Young Communist League members were heroically fighting and dying in the ranks of the International Brigade in Spain against fascism that would soon engulf Europe.
The Labour League of Youth was finally wound up in 1955. In 1960 the Young Socialists was established and this organisation was renamed the Labour Party Young Socialists in 1965, finally becoming Young Labour in 1993.
Hayes Labour youth section can trace its roots back to the Hayes Young Labour League who organised a concert in January 1925 at the Brotherhood Hall, Hayes Young Labour League also organised a Cycling Club and its first cycling run in May 1925 was from Regents Cinema, Hayes to Ruislip.Southall Labour League of Youth was particularly active and had Syd Bidwell as a prominent member.
Paul Harmsworth leading light of the Labour Party Young Socialists
Guildford LPYS in the 1970's.
Bob Allen was Full time organiser for the Young Communist League in the 1970's and lived in Uxbridge.
William Hannan MP for Maryhill, Glasgow, born 30th August 1906. Joined the Labour Party in 1922 and claimed to be the first Chairman of a Scottish Young Labour League of Youth branch in Scotland
Women in WW2 (ATS)
WOMEN IN WORLD WAR II
This is a unusual picture of a British women at the front line and with a gun during the Second World War. Kay Elms of London a member of a heavy Ack-Ack battery (ATS) based in Belgium early 1945.
While pictures like this are common place from the Soviet Union I have rarely seen British or American pictures of front line women.
Once again we should honour the memory of the thousands of women in ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service) during World War 2 who night after night protected our cities and military forces from the Nazi threat.
Source: Challenge - the Journal of the Young Communist League, February 1945.
This is a unusual picture of a British women at the front line and with a gun during the Second World War. Kay Elms of London a member of a heavy Ack-Ack battery (ATS) based in Belgium early 1945.While pictures like this are common place from the Soviet Union I have rarely seen British or American pictures of front line women.
Once again we should honour the memory of the thousands of women in ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service) during World War 2 who night after night protected our cities and military forces from the Nazi threat.Source: Challenge - the Journal of the Young Communist League, February 1945.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
General Strike - Fulwell Tram Depot, Hounslow 1926
"Lively scenes at Fulwell Tram Depot were witnessed at the Fulwell tram depot between 7 and 8 o' clock on Thursday (May 6th 1926) evening, when a crowd of about one thousand people gathered, and some of the volunteer drivers, who were sent down by the Ministry of Transport, and who took trams out, were pelted with eggs.
A number of women were among the crowd and some of these were amongst the noisiest. On the whole, however the temper of the crowd was fairly good humoured, and no serious disturbances occurred, but it is understood, that one arrest on a minor charge was made."
Surrey Comet Saturday May 8 - Strike edition one page
Tram's overturned at Southall according to Syd Bidwell (later Labour MP for Southall)
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Clarion Clubhouses
“Comradeship and fresh air at a reasonable cost”
(article based extensively on an article by Denis Pye)
One of the most successful areas for the Clarion movement was the industrial towns of North West of England.
Soon the Manchester Clarion Cycling Club began to organise regular summer camps for its members, initially at Tabley Brook near Knutsford in August 1895 and 1896
These Clarion camps were organised by
Charles "Charlie"D Reekie, Secretary of
Manchester Clarion Cycling Club.
Charlie Reekie was a Railway Clerk from Ancoats,
The first Manchester Clarion camp at Tabley Brook was organised for three weeks in August 1895. The Clarion camp consisted of four bell tents, a square kitchen tent and a large marquee for dining and entertainment – all equipment for the Clarion camp (including Gorton ILP crockery) was transported in a horse drawn caravan borrowed from a farmer and Clarion supporter from Malpas, Mr William Ranstead
(The same van that was used by the first Clarion women’s propaganda van tour).
The first Manchester Clarion camp of 1895 was a huge success and was visited by over 2,200 cyclists of whom 460 camped.
After the success of this initial camp Charlie Reekie suggested other Clarion camps in other parts of the country under the slogan “Comradeship and fresh air at a reasonable cost” he also wrote a short poem
“Where thrushes sing and busy bee hums,
Far from the stinking, stifling slums,
We’ll pitch our tents by a troutlet stream,
Sink all sorrow, nor think of the morrow,
But look on life as a happy dream”
With the success of the Clarion camp, Manchester Clarion's began to examine the possibility of a Clarion Clubhouse in the country, an old “old farmhouse” was already mentioned being discussed by Manchester Clarion cyclists. The Clarion Scout Journal in November 1895 reported that the Burnley Clarion cycling club had already established a a Clubhouse (photo left) and that the Manchester Clarion Cycling Club were keen to get one by next Spring.
However by August 1896 the Clarion’s were once again camping at Tabley Brook this time with fourteen bell tents, two marques and Clarion cyclist came from as far away as Birmingham and London. Kier Hardie the great Labour leader even put in an appearance at the Clarion camp, staying the night and even help preparing the porridge in the morning (probably in the rain as Charlie Reekie
“The rugs are wet and the beds are damp,
Conducive to ague, rheumatic and cramp’
We’re praying for sunshine, but the weather gets wuss,
Causing the campers to quietly kuss.”
Charlie Reekies dream for a Clarion clubhouse was modelled on guest houses in William Morris’s “News from Nowhere”.
They would be “clean, airy, well appointed rooms, furnished with fumed oak furniture, tapestry hangings and allegorical pictures” The house would be “ Surrounded by grounds and with a first floor balconies for al fresco meals (with) fruit orchard and playing fields on every side; the whole alive fair women and brave men; while up in the sky floated a captive balloon to guide comrades from miles around towards the pleasant by lanes approaching the spot – the ideal spot”.
The Rev T Arthur Leonard of Colne had already established a o-operative Holiday Association Guest House in Ambleside in 1893.
One local Clarion had even visited the cabin of Thoreau's Walden in Massachusetts, Thoreau lived in the woods of Massachusetts for two years, two months, and two days and wrote a book of his experience "Life in the Woods".
BUCKLOW HILL 1897-1902
“The first socialist guest house”
By February 1897 a plan was in progress for the Manchester Clarion Cycluing Club to take a cottage half a days cycling from
In June 1897 the Clarion proclaimed that Bucklow Hill (four miles South of Altrincham on the A556) would be the “first experimental co-operative cottage of the Clarion clubs” it also noted that apart from the cottage their was a field for camping and football.
Bucklow Hill Clarion Clubhouse (the house being known previously as Acropolis) was officially opened on the 22nd June 1897 and was deliberately designed to offer socialist alternative to celebrations and holiday to mark Queen
The Clarion cyclists met at Trafford Bar at 10am on the 22nd June 1897 in a great ride out to the opening at Bucklow Hill.
Robert Blatchford “Nanquam” the editor of the Clarion was to perform the opening with a specially cast diamond jubilee pig iron key, but he was not available on the day and as a result the Clarion clubhouse at Bucklow Hill was opened by Mr J. Pitt-Hardacre actor-manager of the Comedy Theatre,
Some 250 were present for dinner (lunch and even more for tea). The clubhouse could accommodate up to sixty people overnight and up to 150 for meals.
The Clarion newspaper columnist Haydon Perry wrote an article stating that he found people on the balcony, and in garden deck chairs under Chinese umbrellas, reading and smoking. Tents had been pitched in the adjoining field and campers used spring water for washing. There was ample rooms for stabling bicycles, a large kitchen and dinning room, an office and a reading room. Up stairs a general purpose room opened on to the balcony , which offered a view of the road to
The steward and stewardess of the Clubhouse were Mr and Mrs Bennett (Manchester Clarion cyclists)
The Secretary of the Bolton Clarion cycling club stated the new clarion clubhouse was “Centre of a cycling paradise, away from the Smokey towns” popular rides included rides to Arley Hall and Rostherne Mere.
The Clarion clubhouse was very popular with cyclists and non cyclists who came for the evening concerts and walked or cycled during the the day.
The funding for the project was to come from the proceeds of selling 2,000 five shilling shares in the Clarion cycling Clubhouses company limited, a company drawn up by Dr Richard Pankhurst (father of Sylvia Pankhurst).
The Bucklow Hill cottage was acquired on a five year lease from the local Earl Egerton of Tatton, who only later found out he had mistakenly let one of his establishments to the hated socialists.
HANDFORTH 1903-1935
After its untimely eviction from Bucklow Hill, Manchester Clarions scoured the countryside for a replacement Clarion Clubhouse and they found an ideal establishment eight miles from Bucklow hill, in the form of a dilapidated, old, empty farmhouse. It was located on the outward road between Cheadle and Handforth, about half a mile off the main Manchester-Wilmslow road.
It was flanked by two orchards and was secluded enough to minimise the possibility of causing annoyance to local people.
Handworth Clarion Clubhouse was officially opened in September 1903
Rambling farmhouse had a large kitchen with oak beams and panelling, which was as furnished with a comfortable sitting room. Here the presiding genius was Edward Fay, the much loved “Bounder” who had died in 1896 at the age of 43 and whose picture adorned the wall. There was a card room as well as a library and reading room. Four dormitories with a total of fifty beds, and tents available to sleep at least a dozen, failing that you could also sleep in the hayloft.
Outside, a lawn fringed with a well kept garden could be enjoyed from a number of wooden benches. The kitchen garden was the “pride of the steward” One of two orchards was used as an open air theatre
or auditorium (anything from Shakespeare to Shaw). Nearby was a large playing field with three tennis courts and space for cricket and football and the annual old English sports day held in July and included obstacle races, high jump, skipping, and potato gathering for the ladies.
Handforth played a pivotal role in development of the Clarion's and early socialist ideas in the
Colin Coates (a keen Clarion cyclstated “I fear we were guilty of attempting to make the most of two worlds; the Clarion Cycling Club with the claims and charms of the road, and the benefits which the House afforded in the way of concerts, games, plays etc. there were amongst the members at that time many who were able and willing to draw from their store of talents; singers, players, reciters could always be tapped to provide good entertainment. Weather permitting, concerts arranged in the orchard. On the stage beneath the pear trees the artists did their stuff”.
The Clubhouse was surely one of the greatest treasurers of the Clarion movement and the leisure and enjoyment it gave to thousands of socialists toiling in Northern industrial towns must have been immense. Everything revolved around the Clubhouse and the saying “Clubhouse for tea” was a very popular slogan amongst the North west Clarion Cyclists.
VALLEY HOUSE 1936-1951
In 1938 the Manchester Clarion Scouts were once again in search of a Clubhouse this time they found it at Valley House, Oversley Ford on the banks of the river Bollin near Styal, just
The
Those seeing it for the first time must have been impressed with their new home. The site was quiet and secluded, surrounded as it was by tall trees. The house was fronted by extensive gardens, while alongside the River Bollin was a large natural field with space for cricket or football with tennis courts and putting green.
While the Clubhouse was always in need of financial support money was raised after war to pay of its debts however the local Public Health Department demanded improvements, which would cost a further £2,000 and the Clarions were forced to sell the Clubhouse in 1951
Their was previously a Clarion hut at Sheffield, Cordwell Valley, probably on the land of Edward Carpenter, and was used by Heeley Clarion Fellowship , It was transfered to the Dore Moor land in 1920, when built by local Clarion's.
The Sheffield Dore Moor Clarion Club House was not only used by the club house shareholders, [who could stay there overnight,] but also by the Clarion Cycling Club , and Clarion Ramblers . At the Club House there were the Clarion Entertainers, a Clarion Football team, Clarion Cricket team, there was a putting green , a bowling green, childrens playground,and a wonderful view of Sheffield from the club house verander at the back. The general public could buy their cups of tea and sandwiches in the cafe, or could even bring their own tea and just get hot water during the war years.
(Halewood Clarion Clubhouse Left of which little is known ???)
The only Clarion Clubhouse open to day, under progressive management is the excellent clubhouse at
www.clarionhouse.org.uk
END
Monday, July 28, 2008
BRASSED OFFHaving watched Bob Crow, General Secretary of the RMT union lead his delegation down, Tolpuddle High Street in 2008, with the RMT Easington Colliery Band.
I thought about posting a brief article on Brass Bands and the Labour Movement.
While many mining collieries had their own bands, many run and organised by the miners union their is few other examples of trade unions establishing Brass Bands, the only other examples I can find is the Doncaster National Union of Railwaymen (NUR) Brass Band which was established around circa 1938.
A Langham Labour League band from 1871 (this was likely to have been an agricultural workers union band). The Co-operative movement also had numerous Brass Bands, many of them successful.
The Gas Workers Union in the late 1880's also seem to have helped establish a number of bands and today UNISON sponsors the Kinneil Brass band in Scotland, founded by the miners of Kinneil Pit and the workers of Wilson's Kinneil Iron Works in their home town of Bo'ness, West Lothian in 1858.
The Milnsbridge Socialist Brass Band (Huddersfield) was active in the early 1930's and surely the Independent Labour Party (ILP) or the Clarion's also attempted to establish Brass Bands. Preston Clarion had a band circa 1911
I have seen reference to a Transport & General Workers Union Brass Band ? but not been able to confirm. Photo right is of a special Silver Jubilee TGWU band from 1947. I have seen reference to a Post Office Engineering Union band from Stockport circa early 1970's
Their was a Liverpool Socialist brass band
Ireland now has only one trade union Brass Band (CWU), after the disbandment of the world famous Irish Transport & General Worker Union (ITGWU) Brass Band (later known as SIPTU Brass Band) around circa 2005.
HISTORY OF THE IRISH TRANSPORT & GENERAL WORKERS UNION BRASS BAND
By Eileen King "ITGWU Liberty Magazine" June 1984
The Irish Transport & General Workers’ Union Band (ITGWU) was formed in 1919 (picture above). Senator Thomas Foran, General President of the Union, decided that a Brass and Reed Band would be of great assistance in extending Union organisation in
The Dublin dockers were interested in Tom Foran’s idea, and a committee of Dublin No. 1 Branch members was set up to raise the necessary funds to equip, clothe and train a band. The collection to raise the money was undertaken during the latter part of 1918. An interesting point about this collection, which ranged mostly over the docks and local employments, including carriers was that the carriers negotiated an increase of 7/6d per week in October, 1918 and, led by the late Jack Clarke (a member of the fund raising committee) and his eight fellow workers in Suttons, a large number of the carters subscribed their first week’s increase — 7/6d to the band fund.
Financial help came from Union funds too and the organisation of a series of “Housey-Housey” games was — according to a man who was active in the project - another source of revenue.
Early in 1919 the Band was formed, instruments purchased and rehearsals begun. The first uniforms of the band were made by the Abbey Street Co-op and designed and paid for by William O’Brien who was then Acting General Secretary of the
The first public engagement undertaken by the Band was in May, 1919, when it participated in the May Procession at the church of the Oblate Fathers in Inchicore.
There were veterans who remembered how the Band practised in the drill hall of the old Citizen Army ... of the raid on Liberty Hall in 1920 by the Black and Tans who smashed up most of the instruments, and of the period in 1924 when it seemed doubtful if the Band would be permitted to survive. But survive it did and played on to become the only band to win the Royal Dublin Society Band Contest two years in succession.
During the Anglo-Irish war the Band was prominent, participating in many parades and exercises. They were frequently in trouble because of their activities, and were often stopped by the Black and Tans and ordered off parade. An amusing story is told of a parade they had in Finglas. A contingent of Tans stopped the Band and the officer in charge instructed them to cease playing Irish marches. The Band Sergeant agreed and instructed the Band to play the “Wearing of the Green.” The officer applauded and remarked ... “Isn’t that much better than your b.... Irish marches?”.
In 1932 the Band went to
It is worthy of record that in those early years, when the Irish Army Military Band was first formed, twenty-one members of the ITGWU Band were accepted as key instrumentalists and went over en bloc.
Since its formation in 1919, up to 1936, the Band was administered by a Committee from the Dublin No. 1 Branch. Since 1937, it has been administered by the Dublin District Council of the
It was in 1937 also that Adolf Gebler was appointed as Musical Director. He held the degree of Pedagoge de Musicke from a German Conservatoire of Music, and from that year until 1957, when he left to take up an appointment in San Francisco, the Band settled down to a really excellent and fruitful period. It attained a very high standard which won it many collective and individual prizes.
Up to August 9, 1954, the official title of the Union Band was The Irish Transport & General Workers’ Union Prize Brass & Reed Band. Since then the title has be-come The Irish Transport & General Workers Band World Prize Brass and Reed Band. This came about as a result of an invitation to the Band to represent
The journey to
When the party eventually arrived at
In spite of their misadventures, the Band went on to win 1st Prize in the “Excellence Section”; 1st Prize in the “Contest of Honour”, and 2nd Prize in the marching competition. This achievement in
A learners” class was established around 1956 to provide the way and the means of ready-made replacements for key instrumentalists who, perhaps, through force of circumstances or; other reasons might sever their connection with the Band
In 1962, John Carroll (now General President of the
In 1969, Michael Rogers became Assistant to John Carroll, and Junior Band Coach. He was also responsible for establishing the children’s recorder band, which is still flourishing.
In 1970, what was called the Egerlander Band was formed. It comprised 12 members from the Band proper who, in colourful Bavarian-type costumes, played tuneful and rousing music in the “beer-garden” genre. This Band was very popular in the 1970’s, playing mostly for charities. It seems to have gone to ground in recent years, which is a great pity.
The list of achievements by the ITGWU World Prize Brass & Reed Band is quite formidable and space does not allow me to list them specifically. Suffice it to say, however, that the Band excelled itself down through the years by winning many competitions and championships. In addition, many of the Bandsmen won individual gold and silver medals in solo competitions. Three more visits were made to
Due to his many commitments, John Carroll left the Band about five years ago, and was replaced by Jimmy Cavanagh as Musical Director.
The standard of musicianship of the Union Band has long been acknowledged as top class, and the honours which have come its way in competition at local, national and international level bear testimony to this.
From its foundation, the Band has been a regular participant in labour, trade union and national parades and ceremonies. Ever since then the Band has continued its labour and trade union activities and has visited most centres of the country in which the union has branches on many occasions down the years in connection with commemorative ceremonies, industrial parades and disputes and other major industrial events.
The bandsmen always have been drawn from the ranks of the workers; some of the boys from the Artane Band have graduated to the uniform of the
The ITGWU (SIPTU) Brass band closed circa 2005
Thanks to Andy Newman for Tolpuddle/RMT photo
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