On the 21st July 1891, the first constituency Labour party in the country formed in a cellar of a house in Slaithwaite and formed a new organisation, the Colne Valley Labour Party. To celebrate the 125th anniversary of this event, Heritage Quay and the Colne Valley Labour Party are running a special event exploring the history of the Party. Heritage Quay, the state-of-the-art archive based at the University of Huddersfield, look after the archives of the Party and have recently catalogued them to make sure they are safe and accessible for the next 125 years (and more)

This event is free to attend and open to anyone. There is no need to book, just turn up on the day. Lunch will be provided.

You do not have to attend the whole day, please come for the sessions you find interesting. There will also be a display of collections from the archive for visitors to explore, including the original minute books and election materials.

Running Order

11:00-11:15
Welcome by Dave Smith (Heritage Quay) and Cllr Rob Walker

11:15-11:30
The Birth of the Party by Richard Hobson (Heritage Quay)

11:30-12:30
Victor Grayson and the development of the Party by Lord David Clark

12:30-12:45
Memories of a Colne Valley political journalist by Julie Ward

12:45-13:15
Lunch

13:15-13:45
Philip Snowden by Professor Keith Laybourn

13:45-14:15
The Post War years by Professor Brendan Evans and Dave Smith

14:15-14:30
Break

14:30-15:15
Local government memories – A panel of members led by Anne Baldwin

15:15-15:45
The Future by young party members

FREE, drop in