In the early part of the 19^th century the local population had lived through dark times. The price of food and other necessities for hand loom weavers was very high. Child labour was extensive and poverty prevailed. From 1824 to 1840 there was much activity in the co-operative world and many co-operative societies were set up in the Huddersfield area. Most failed but four still existed in 1910 including two in Kirkheaton. Fieldhead on Bankfield Road was the first of two societies formed in this village. In the early days the store went under the name David Dawson & Co but later changed its name to “Fieldhead Co-operative Society Ltd.”. By 1912 it was known as Kirkheaton Co-operative Industrial Provident Society Ltd. The rules of the society were very simple-to distribute profits to members, something it was well known for was producing a good “divi”.

The following annotated newspaper report summarises the early history.

The Kirkheaton Co-operative society, Ltd., at Fieldhead, has seen many changes since its foundation a hundred years ago in the spring of 1834. Actually it had an existence of some sort in 1824, but it was in 1834 that Mr, David Dawson [1] and Mr. Joseph Roebuck,[2] two hand-loom weavers, originated it as a co-operative-society. Even then it was not run on modern Co-operative lines, but as a close corporation for the benefit- of a small number of members. Nor were its first sales the sort usually made by such societies-it was run in the early days as a hand-loom weavers’ shop, and the goods-sold in those days were pickers and bands, shuttles and swifts for the weavers of the Kirkheaton district [3]. In 1828, however, an application was being made for the renewal of a tea dealer’s licence, and Joseph Roebuck is described in the application as a tobo dealer’’—a dealer in tobacco. So by that time the two, partners had widened the scope of their shop. The old sack stamps, bearing the mark ‘‘D.D. and Co.,” still supply a link with Mr. Dawson’s shop. In 1840 Mr. Percival Senior signed an agreement promising to look after the affairs of the Society, and Mr. Senior [4] ranks as the Society’s first manager, holding office from 1840 to his resignation in 1864. When he had completed twenty-one years’ service he was presented with a silver watch, which is now in the possession of his grandson, Mr. Leonard Senior, and which is still keeping good time. The next manager, Mr. Ephraim Poole, was a hand-loom weaver, and he held office for eleven years. The third manager, Mr. George Pickup, had a shorter and livelier career; the morning after his first half-yearly meeting he found himself locked out of the shop. His successor, Mr. Jesse Kilner, lasted no longer, and then the committee elected another hand- loom weaver, Mr. Robert Stancliffe, to fill the vacancy. Mr. Stancliffe left the warp half-woven in his loom to take up his new post, which he held till his retirement in 1907, after twenty-seven years’ service. He was succeeded by his son, Mr. Albert Stancliffe, who died suddenly in 1923 after serving the Society for forty-five years, of which seventeen years were spent as manager. Mr. Clarence Walker, of Linthwaite, has held the position from then to the present time. The office of president was held for some years by Mr. Thomas Lee and Mr. W. Rushworth, and after Mr. W, Stafford (a grandson of one of the founders) had been president for three years Mr. Rushworth had another period in office, from 1904 to 1914, then Mr. John Broadbent [5]was appointed president, and he has held this position up to the present time. Previously he officiated as auditor for seven years. Perhaps the most remarkable term of service is that of the present secretary, Mr. Henry Kilner. For some years the office of secretary was filled by Mr. Friend Jessop, and then Mr. James Denton served from 1882 to 1890. From that time to the present Mr. Henry Kilner [6] has been secretary, forty-four years, in addition to previous experience in the shop. Mr Kilner has filled an unusually large number of positions in connection with the Society. He began in the grocery department as a boy of fourteen, and worked there for some time before resigning his position. About eight years later he was appointed auditor, and in 1890 president. During the following month the secretary died, Mr Senior acted as secretary until the end of the half-year, when he was officially appointed secretary.

Huddersfield Examiner10 May 1934  

At the centenary in 1934 all members were given a pewter tea pot and a commemorative plaque was displayed in the store. The society’s fortunes later changed due to supermarket competition and it amalgamated with Heckmondwike before finally closing.

Select and Save                                  Photo by author

The property was later purchased by “Select and Save” but this closed about 2019 .In spite of major alterations over the years it still retains many of the original 18^th century features. [Compare the original photograph with that for Select and Save showing the extension in front of the store]

Notes

1.David Dawson.

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Born 1808 and baptised at Hopton Independent chapel. He married Priscilla? and they had two children, Benjamin and Nancy (both named after their grand parents). David was a handloom weaver living in a private house at Daw Knowle. His wife died in 1849 and David died in 1879, both were buried at Kirkheaton St Johns church.

2. Joseph Roebuck

Born at Kirkheaton and baptised at Highfield Independent Church, Huddersfield Dec 1798. He was a handloom weaver living at Fieldhead all his life. He married Mary? and they had a large family. One of their sons Dan set up an oatcake business at 34 Shop lane [ Yetton news issue 16, autumn 2016 ]. Joseph was a member of the Green Leaf society and is mentioned in various newspaper reports. He died at the ripe age of 94 and is buried with his wife at Kirkheaton St John’s church.

3.Weaving terms. Pickers were used to drive the shuttle from one box to another. Swifts were tools to hold a bank of yarn while it was being wound off.

4.Perceval Senior see separate post

5 John Broadbent

John Broadbent was born in 1862 the son of Edward [manufacturer] and Sarah and baptised October 5th at Hopton Church. In 1871 and 81 he lived at Hillside with his parents moving to Alley Green when he married Alice Hudson in 1884. John started work as a Post Office clerk and by 1911 was an Assistant Superintendent living at Kirkfield house. He attended Fields chapel, was a magistrate and member of the Liberal party and actively involved in local matters. He died in 1937 and is buried at Kirkheaton cemetery with his wife.

6. Henry Kilner

Henry was born in 1862 the son of George (a weaver) and Sarah Ann of Shop lane, Kirkheaton. He married Emily ? circa 1888 and moved to Holly bank [Fieldhead] where they raised 7 children. Henry died in 1938 and is buried at Laneside cemetery with his wife and two of his children. The burial register states he was the Co-operative society Secretary

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