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Reviving the spirit of Pendle's pioneers

A century after its founding, Clarion House is enjoying a new burst of life, says PETER LAZENBY

More than a century after the last brick was laid at Pendle Clarion House, a new group has come together to ensure the spirit of the socialist co-operative is kept alive and relevant.

In 1893 the Independent Labour Party (ILP) was founded in Bradford. It was the forerunner, and co-founder, of today's Labour Party.

Two years earlier the Clarion socialist movement had been formed.

It began life as a newspaper, the Clarion, founded by former staff of the Manchester Evening Chronicle who quit in search of a vehicle for their message of socialism.

Teams of volunteer cyclists delivered the paper. This led to the development of Clarion Cycling Clubs.

The clubs also enabled factory workers from Britain's industrial towns and cities to visit the countryside, and in the north that meant the magnificent Pennines, Fells and Dales.

Other Clarion activities included the running of "Clarion vans," with huge loudspeakers to take the rallying call of socialism around the country.

Clarion choirs were formed to spread the message of socialism through song. Some still exist today.

Clarion activists also rented premises for recreational and educational stays in the countryside.

In Nelson in Lancashire, where the ILP had 500 members, a more ambitious project was undertaken.

The ILP had established local Land Societies to buy land for co-operative use. Nelson ILP Land Society purchased a piece of land in spectacular countryside at Pendle Hill in the Pennines. On it builders and volunteers built their own Clarion House, a non-profit-making co-operative for recreational, social, educational and political activities.

The house was used for workers' holidays which were run co-operatively.

The volunteers hoped that others would take it as a model of how society as a whole ought to be organised - an alternative to capitalism.

Building work began in 1907 and two local socialists, Selina Cooper and Katherine Bruce Glasier, laid the foundation stones. The house was completed in 1912.

Other Clarion Houses sprung up around the country.

The Clarion movement collapsed partly because its main founder, Robert Blatchford, supported the imperialist first world war.

But today the Pendle Clarion House is still in use - still based on the socialist and co-operative principles of the pioneers, still used by walkers and cyclists. It is the only remaining one. But it is in need of restoration.

Last month saw the launch of the Friends of Clarion House group. Many of the group's volunteers visit the house each Sunday for social gatherings.

They support the co-operative and socialist principles of the house's
pioneering founders. They have already carried out some essential maintenance and improvements.

Now the ILP Land Society, which still exists and owns the house and land, has announced plans for major renovations, working with the Friends group.

The Friends group was launched with a traditional "Jacob's Join" - a feast or meal where people take food to share.

The gathering was addressed by Sue Nike, chair of the ILP Land Society, who announced the renovation plans.

Charles Jepson, acting chair of the Friends group, said it will work with the ILP Land Society "to maintain and promote the Clarion, welcome new visitors, keeping its socialist spirit alive and relevant."

Jack Burrows, grandson of the first chairman of the ILP Land Society, gave a history of the local activities and development of the ILP and the building of the house, telling how funds were raised with a shares issue and a loan of £350 from the local weavers' union.

The work of the pioneers continues.

 

For more information visit www.clarionhouse.org.uk

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