The Rise and Progress of the Glossop Conservative Association.

This history was originally published in the Official Guide, Souvenir and Handbook of the Glossop Conservative and Unionist Grand Bazaar which was held in the Victoria Hall, Glossop from 31st January to 2nd February 1907.

18-26 Norfolk Street
The Conservative club during rebuilding, 1909, with numbers 20 and 18 to the right.

The whole County of Derby was an undivided constituency until the Reform Act of June 1st, 1832, when it was divided into two, the Northern and Southern constituencies. By the Reform Act of 1867 it was divided into three Divisions, Northern, Eastern, and Southern, each returning two Members. Prior to this period the working-classes had no Parliamentary qualification, but the granting of household suffrage gave them an opportunity of expressing their political opinions in a practical manner, and "Register," "Register," "Organise," "Organise," became the cry of the day in every constituency. Glossop was no exception.

There had been a few working-men, Mr. Wm. Bramhall, Mr. James Dutton, Mr. Joseph Higginbottom, Mr. William Sandham and others, who used to meet in Mr. Robert Winterbottom's cobbler's shop to discuss the parochial and village affairs of Glossop, and who looked after the Conservative interests in general, but it was not until 1868 that a Conservative Association was started. Mr. John Newton Winterbottom, cotton manufacturer, of Moorside, Glossop, and other influential gentlemen, had a meeting in the Howard Arms Inn Club-room and resolved that an Association, to be called "The Glossop Working Men's Constitutional Association" be formed, the subscription to be one shilling per annum, and that every person before being accepted as a member, should sign the following declaration:
“We, the undersigned, whilst ready and anxious to promote the reform of all proved abuses, declare our fixed determination to maintain in its integrity the constitution of our country as existing in the necessary connection of the Established Church and the State, the just prerogatives of the Sovereign, the privileges of the House of Lords, and the recognised rights of the Commons' House of Parliament, unfettered in their independent but necessarily united action as joint branches of the same legislature, convinced that on the successful support of this our constitution depends the continuance of social order, the security of property, the maintenance of true religion, and the real liberties of the people." And we hold ourselves pledged to use all our influence to return to Parliament, as representatives, such persons only as will support the principles set forth in the above declaration.”

A large number of earnest and enthusiastic Conservatives joined and signed the above declaration, which is still binding upon every member. The first twelve to sign were:- John N. Winterbottom, J. D. Knowles, T. H. Sidebottom, Joseph Hampson, Sam Wood, Dan Wood, James Shepley, William Sidebottom, James Bramhall, Joseph Winterbottom, John Hardman, Robert Beeley.

The Association soon made its influence felt, for at the General Election in the same year, a Conservative was returned as one of the representatives, the first Conservative M.P. to represent the Northern portion of the County. The voting was as follows : -      November 30th, 1868.      Lord G. H. Cavendish (L) 2903      Captain A. P. Arkwright (C) 2698      W. Jackson (L) 2637

The Borough of Glossop was incorporated in 1866; the elections taking place on Friday, December 21st. They were not fought on political lines, and not much interest was taken in them, many of the burgesses not taking the trouble to go to the polling booths. The political strength of the Town Council was:- Aldermen, 4 Liberals, 2 Conservatives; councillors, 12 Liberals, 5 Conservatives, and 1 Independent.

The successes at the General Election. and the ill-feeling caused by the Disestablishment of the Irish Church, inspired the members of the Association with the desire to change the political complexion of the Council, and frequent meetings for that purpose were held in their original meeting place, causing the Howard Arms to be nick-named "The Blue Lamp."

Many young men were anxious to become members, so the Association took the premises No, 1, Surrey Street, formerly the "Lamb Inn," and opened them in 1871 as a Conservative Club. The first president was Mr. J. N. Winterbottom; treasurer, Mr. George Newton; secretary, Mr. Kay Ogden; steward, Mr. Lambert Sale.

The Conservatives obtained a majority on the Town Council November 1873, and elected Mr. William Sidebottom as Mayor. After this the membership increased so largely, and the attendance was so good, that the Club could not accommodate them, and the Committee decided at the first opportunity to purchase more commodious premises. In May, 1876, the Railway Inn, adjoining shop, and three cottages were on sale, and were purchased. £1 shares were issued, and eagerly taken up. The first trustees were Messrs. James Shepley, Daniel Wood (cotton manufacturers), and John T. Armitage (coal dealer), all of Glossop. The property had been built by Mr. Jonathan Bowden in 1838, and consequently some alterations were required before it could be used as a Club. The rooms were low and narrow, and frequent additions and alterations have had to be made as the membership increased. In number of members and political influence it is the principal Conservative Club in the Division. The following were or are members of the Association, who have served the Burgesses in the Town Council: All Saints' Ward: Messrs. Daniel Haigh Wood, James Shepley, James Rhodes, William Bramhall, William Smith, Luke Darwent, Thomas Wilkinson, Joshua Beeley, William Williamson, William Swire, George Newton, Samuel Rowbottom, John Hadfield, John Mellor, John Rowbottom, Joseph Buckley, John Walton, John Wagstaffe, Samuel Sidebottom, Daniel Haigh Hesslegrave, Thomas Rawstorne, John Dearnley Rhodes, John Barnes, Benjamin Platt, Albert Andrew, Charles Davis, Samuel Warhurst, Henry Hadfield, Brook Furniss, James Beeley, Arthur Sidebottom, Robert Bennett, James Malkin, Francis Gordon Knowles, George Wharmby, William Cliffe Jones; St. James's Ward: John Ashton, Isaac Hadfield, Edward Woolley, William Sheppard, Samuel Wood, Robert Bennett, Walter Oliver, Samuel Hill Wood.

The Conservative Mayors have been: William Sidebottom 1873-4, Samuel Wood 1874-6, Samuel Rowbottom 1876-9, James Sidebottom 1879-85 and 1886-8, William Dawson 1885-6 and 1889-91, John Hadfield 1888-9, Edward Woolley 1893-5, John Barnes 1897-8, S. Hill-Wood, 1898-02.

The following Conservatives were appointed Justices of the Borough: James Sidebottom, 20th Nov., 1879; Samuel Rowbottom, 14th April, 1881; William Sidebottom, 27th Dec., 1883; William Dawson, 5th Sept., 1887; James Rhodes, 5th Sept., 1887; John Hadfield, 18th Feb., 1891; Charles E. Knowles, 9th April, 1897; William White, 9th April, 1897; John Barnes, 2nd March, 1900; Arthur Sidebottom, 2nd March, 1900; Ezra Waterhouse, 2nd March, 1900; John Hardman, 15th March, 1904; S. Hill-Wood, 15th March, 1904.

The Association Secretaries have been Messrs. Kay Ogden, Joseph Hall, William Sheppard, Edward Oliver and William Henry Darwent. The present energetic Secretary is Mr. J. R. Sutcliffe.

There have only been two Treasurers, Mr. George Newton and since his decease in 1890, his son Mr William Newton.
The Chairmen have been Messrs. John N. Winterbottom, David W. Downing, Ralph Ernill, Joseph Winterbottom, Joseph James and William Hankinson.

The Club was opened strictly on temperance principles and the subscription was as low as possible, but it did not pay its way. It was continually being helped out of its financial difficulties until at last there were only two courses to take, close the Club or sell intoxicants. This, caused much dissension and a loss of some members. The refreshment bar was opened Nov. 1st, 1889, and in consequence the Association is not only out of debt, but has a balance on the right side of the ledger. An additional room was opened 18th September, 1894. The Club premises are now leased for 999 years and are centrally situated. The site is one of the best in Glossop, near to the railway station and tram lines, with open spaces on the east and west sides. It is proposed to pull down the existing buildings and to erect a Club that will be a credit and an ornament to the Borough, and the centre of political work and activity in the Conservative and Unionist cause.

The Committee appeal to all supporters and friends to assist them generously to achieve this object.

R.H.

R.H. Was Robert Hamnett who, apart from being a local historian, was a prominent member of the Conservative Association. The Bazaar was held for the purpose of raising funds to aid in building the new premises for a Conservative and Unionist Club as mentioned above.

18-26 Norfolk Street
The new Conservative club, 1910, with refurbished numbers 20 and 18 to the right.



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