Brief Early History of the Glossop and Hadfield Branch of the Independent Labour Party.
This history was originally published in the Souvenir of the Grand Sale of Work of the Independent Labour Party Glossop and Hadfield Branch which was held at the ILP Hall, George Street, Glossop at Easter 1908.
Joseph Dempsey Doyle and Walter Dixon
Looking backward to March 15th, 1895, we seek in vain for easy gradations to mark the advance of the Socialist movement in this locality. The records give that date for the first
official meeting of the members of the Glossop and Hadfield I.L. P., and April 4th as the connecting date with the National Party.
Since that birthday the growth of the Branch has been marked by many phases of evolution and revolution, but the spirit of the founders is still the most important factor in the fight for political, industrial, social, and economic freedom. The formation of the local organisation was largely the outcome of the success achieved by the Trades Council in securing the election of Messrs. T. Anderson and J. Langley to the Borough Council, both of whom rendered invaluable service to the New Branch.
The first home of the Socialists was in the Coffee Palace, High Street West. On October 10th, the first Public Meeting was addressed by Comrade Charlie Gregory, of Openshaw.
He had a most enthusiastic audience, many of whom have remained staunch and true through all the vicissitudes up to the present day.
Early expectations were doomed to failure. For various reasons the membership diminished, and the Party left its birthplace and held business meetings in a restaurant. The Minute Book is blank for months, and the next date and record of business marked a removal to the Weavers' Rooms in Surrey Street, from which place Secretary Leatherbarrow issued a referendum postcard, "to be or not to be?" It was decided " to be." A collector was appointed to place financial matters on a more satisfactory basis. Indoor propaganda increased the membership, and in many directions the Party made its influence felt.
The first effort to secure public representation was the Citizens Auditor's Election. Comrade Pott was returned unopposed for three years, and through this channel the Branch, by its organised meetings and Auditor's reports, roused public recognition of the value and importance of matters municipal. At the Guardians' Election, 1904, the three Candidates, Comrades Harrop, Newton, and Pott polled an aggregate of 838 votes. The November Elections gave the Branch a glorious fight, with Comrade Harrop again in the van, and although success was deferred the members were strengthened with the enthusiasm displayed. The Sunday morning meetings at the Weavers' Rooms were so crowded that Sunday evening meetings were decided on and Cluskey's Rooms secured for the purpose. The propaganda there proved so successful that a vigorous outdoor Sunday propaganda was arranged by the new Secretary, Comrade J. D. Doyle, resulting in a great increase of members, despite the doubt of the wisdom of Sunday propaganda
meetings.
Very quickly the imperative necessity for a larger meeting place was forced on the Executive, and a foundry in George Street was transformed from its apparent unsuitability to one of the finest centres of Socialist activity in the kingdom. All the work of transformation was performed by the members; time, money, energy, given freely. The premises made comfortable and attractive the membership increased, as did also the responsibilities and possibilities.
The Branch extended its range of activity, Comrades were sent to organise meetings in every available spot, not only in the Borough, but right away through the constituency as far as Buxton, new Branches were formed, weak ones assisted, and a strong federation formed with remote districts interlinked. This plan of carrying the red flag through the Derbyshire dales was conceived in Surrey Street, and the hills and dales have resounded with the message and tramp of the Socialist. Meets, Rambles, Cycle Runs, Vocal Unions, Debates, Dances, Socials, Conferences, have contributed a quota to the general scheme outlined in the Weavers Rooms. Glossop won the Clarion Cycle for the largest attendance at the Matlock Fellowship Meeting, 1907.
The Branch has never failed in supplying the National Party with affiliation fees. Contributed £14 to the Special effort fund. Supplied its corps of workers to Manchester, Huddersfield and Colne Valley, and through it all the Women have rendered invaluable aid and the Bazaar is but a part of their work and will.
Again, Looking Backward over the years, Glossop Square with a lecturer, two men and one woman comrade. Sowing the seed in the early nineties.
1907 the same square absolutely massed with a surging sea of Socialist faces. 1908 the largest halls filled to overflow. To hear the same message which the few fore mentioned carried bravely in the last decade.
Tomorrow - WHAT? The answer lies with the people.
The Branch is full of life and vigour, many of the men and women deem no work too hard or sacrifice too great in spreading the truths of Socialism. With hearts illumined with the sun of Socialism, with the kindly thoughts of Comrades now far away, with the help of new ones joining daily, the whole-hearted enthusiasm which Socialism alone can create will enable us to build our own Halls in the land and plant our principles firmly in the hearts of the people. In the spirit of fellowship which brought us into being in 1895 we in 1908 are
LOOKING FORWARD.
Independent Labour Party Glossop and Hadfield Branch Headquarters :- I.L.P. Hall, George Street, Glossop.
President :- William Leatherbarrow.
Financial Secretary :- Walter Dixon.
Official Collector :- John Campbell.
Vice-President :- Alfred Barton.
Corresponding Secretary :- J. Dempsey Doyle.
Literature Secretary :- A. Lawton Doyle.
