John Roberts Widdup and SDF. SUE HAYTER

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John Roberts Widdup and SDF. SUE HAYTER

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John Roberts Widdup and SDF

The following is an extract from ‘Justice’ ( the paper of the Social Democratic Federation), December 28th 1895, written by John Roberts Widdup, an renowned local SDF activator from 1893 to his emigration to Canada in 1898.
Born: Barnoldswick July 20th 1870, died somewhere, but where?

“Provincial Notes
AN AGITATORS’ PEREGRINATIONS
On Sunday, December 8th, I commenced a tour among the Lancashire branches which was arranged by comrade Abrahams, the Lancashire district secretary. The tour commenced at Colne, and after visiting Barrowford, Todmorden, Bury, Rochdale and Bolton , I finished at Blackburn.
The Cone comrades had taken a public hall for the two meetings, and had widely advertised my visit. The meetings were not well attended, , but two fairly good meetings were held. A noticeable feature about the afternoon meeting was the large number of people who had walked over from Barnoldswick, in Yorkshire, a small village, my native place, some five , miles distant from Colne. It is not probable that a branch could be formed at Barnoldswick. Will Lansbury please note?

To speak my mind ( and these notes had better not be written if I do not report things as I find them no matter whom I please or displease) the movement does not seem to be progressing very well at Colne. This is not to be wondered at when it is to be remembered that the Colne comrades have had no permanent meeting place for years owing to the difficulty in securing premises of their own. But the old members are still actively at work.
I must not omit to mention the success of the Colne Socialists at the recent municipal elections . The S.D.F candidate polled exceedingly well, and the Trades Council were successful in returning, I think, two of their nominees who are Socialists, and if I mistake not members of the branch. Progress of this character is, after all, the best indication of the power and the strength of any branch, and is of vastly more importance than a large branch membership with no influence on public affairs…”

The article continues to describe all of John’s experiences in each of the named towns

I am grateful to the Socialist Party of Great Britain, and the World Socialist Movement for locating and providing me with copies of this article, along with many others, pertaining to the political activities of J R Widdup, my great grandfather.
I am also very grateful for the efforts that they have been putting in to try discover the whereabouts of this man after 1901 in Quebec.
Sue Hayter
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Re: John Roberts Widdup and SDF. SUE HAYTER

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I have often wondered where John Widdup got his education as he was a mill worker at 10 years of age. Last night I found my answer. I have a years membership of Bristish Newspaper Archives and often do a search on one of my many family names. Last night I found the examination results of summer 1889 for the Mechanics Institue in Burnley. John got second class in shorthand and English Literature in May and in the July got first class in Commercial English. That accounts for his literary abilites in the various papers he wrote for/in and the political pamphlets he wrote.

Earlier in the week I found an article about John's son Dr Harry P Widdup. He was successfully prosected for dangerous driving in 1934 in London. His home address was given which answered another question for me as to when Harry moved to that address in Kensington.

I love genealogical research, I like being nosey!!!!
If you keep searching you will find it
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Re: John Roberts Widdup and SDF. SUE HAYTER

Post by Stanley »

Nice Sue.... When you have a spare minute could you do me a favour please? In my tank research I have come across a list of towns that received tank because of their contributions to war savings. There is a mention in that of 'The Silver Bullet' and if it was a publication connected with the War Savings Committee I can't find it. '5 1/4%' might have been part of the title. Any help would be appreciated!
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Re: John Roberts Widdup and SDF. SUE HAYTER

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I have had a look Stanley but so far no joy
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Re: John Roberts Widdup and SDF. SUE HAYTER

Post by Stanley »

Not surprised, we know it exists but I'm not sure that it wasn't just a government leaflet. I'll mail a query to the lads!
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Re: John Roberts Widdup and SDF. SUE HAYTER

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I have had a letter from a researcher at Manchester Metropolitan university. I am to be interviewed about John Widdup as part of a research project at the university. I was tracked down through information I must have left sometime at Burnley library. So exciting
If you keep searching you will find it
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Re: John Roberts Widdup and SDF. SUE HAYTER

Post by Stanley »

Fame at last!
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Re: John Roberts Widdup and SDF. SUE HAYTER

Post by Sue »

:laugh5:
If you keep searching you will find it
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