A procession of over 600 people led by the Mayor and a brass band marched through the town to the new institute where an opening ceremony was performed by Philip Snowden MP.
Unity Hall Brochure
The ILP was founded in 1893 on the initiative of local socialists, mainly from Scotland and the north of England and encouraged by such national figures as Keir Hardie (editor of the Labour Leader) and Robert Blatchford. In 1900 the ILP played a key role in founding the Labour Representation Committee, which became the Labour Party in 1906. Initially the membership of the Labour Party came through either the trade unions or the affiliated socialist societies – primarily the ILP.
The Nelson branch of the ILP was formed in 1893, one of the first and eventually the second largest branch in the country.
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For many years the focal point for the branch was the former Independent Labour Party Institute and Socialist Sunday School, which were situated in Vernon Street, Nelson.
Following the land purchase in 1906, memorial stones were laid in 1907 by Socialist Pioneers: Selina Cooper laid a stone in memory of Caroline Martyn and Enid Stacey. Katharine Bruce Glasier laid another in memory of William Morris and Edward F. Fay.
The decline of the ILP in Nelson mirrored the national decline of the ILP and as a consequence the institute is now used to serve a wider community. In 2021 following refurbishment, the building re-opened as the Unity Wellbeing Centre, and features the Selina Cooper Project and the Keir Hardie Reading Room.
Clarion House
The Nelson ILP branch, the members of which were mainly cotton workers, rented a rural cottage in 1899 to allow its members to escape the polluted air of the towns.
The out of town venue was used to promote good health and stimulate socialist fellowship.
In 1903, when it had become apparent that the cottage was too small, they rented Nabs Farm, Dimpenly and it was renamed the Clarion House.
The present, and last Clarion House in the country, was built in 1912 under the direction of the trustees of the Nelson ILP Land Society.
For Pendle Radicals
Both Clarion House and Unity Hall have been a natural home for many Radicals events.
Artist Alan Ward documented the unique and historic event – Clarion Sunday – an annual pilgrimage to the last Clarion House by Clarion Cycling Clubs from across the north of England.
In July 2021 we welcomed Rosie’s Plaques, an award-winning women’s project from Norwich creating guerilla blue plaques for underrepresented women. They spent a weekend at Clarion House, working with Pendle Radicals volunteers to honour some of our extraordinary women. You can view a film of the weekend here.
Two new Walking with Radicals walks were created that include Clarion House. You can download guides for Clarion Calling and the Two Toms walk here.
Explore Further
You can find further information on the ILP website the Clarion House site and on Nelson Town Council flyer.