Ending tonight...a 95-year tradition as textile society closes on a high
May 2008

Looking back at past times: members of the Textile Society, (from the left), Bernard Wadsworth, Ernest Jennings and Ken Duffy. 2008 Picture: Charles Round
Model behaviour: society president Ernest Jennings and two models Wendy Sutcliffe (left) and Susan Marshall at Halifax Textiles Society Ladies’ Evening fashion show from 1978 at the White Swan Hotel, while Mary Jennings (seated extreme left) looks on
Royal occasion: the Duke of Gloucester (left) visits Halifax in 1977 and tours an exhibition held by the textile society in the company of then president Ernest Jennings
Eye for detail: Ernest sporting a jacket made from cloth that won William Eddleston Ltd of Sowerby Bridge a British Textile Design runners-up award. He is holding a pure yak hair overcoat while putting the finishing touches to a mannequin’s cashmere outfit

High accolade: Ernest when he was made an honorary life member of Halifax Textile Society
Times gone by: the Halifax Textile Society 25th Annual Dinner invitation and menu, as signed by all the members who attended it in 1955

ERNEST Jennings pores over years of newspaper cuttings and looks through page after page of old photographs.

The snaps record the odd momentous occasion but in the main they are of a jolly bunch of folk enjoying happy times.

There are also menus from the annual dinners where guests tucked into roast pork with apple sauce and gooseberry tart while being entertained by the cabaret of Chester and Boyd or Mr Albert E. Kidd on the piano.

And not least, there are scores of minutes, beautifully recorded in copperplate writing, which fill page after page of leather-bound books.

One entry for a meeting on November 27,1940, held at the White Swan Hotel, Halifax, poignantly records: "It was resolved that owing to the uncertainty of the times, no committee dinner to be held this year" and that "parcels be sent to our members in H.M. Forces for Christmas."

These mementos, carefully preserved by Ernest, are the life and times of Halifax Textile Society, which after 95 years will hold its final gathering tonight.

He said: "The interest is simply not there any more and the reality is that people just aren't prepared to take on the official roles.

"So there comes a time when you have to make a decision," says Ernest, an honorary life member and past president of the society.

As a result, the final annual meeting takes place tonight, bringing to a close one of Halifax's oldest and most historic societies.

It is understandable that there's a touch of nostalgia in the air but surprisingly there is little doom or gloom.

"We are sad it's got to finish, of course," says Ernest.

"But we don't want to be maudlin about it. It's wonderful that it has lasted so long and been such a great society, bringing together lots of interesting people who have been able to make friends and good business contacts because of it.

"But you have to accept that times change and one of the biggest changes is that Halifax is no longer the textile town it once was."

Fellow members Bernard Wadsworth, secretary for the past 28 years, and Ken Duffy, also a past president, agree.

"Looking back each town had its own textile society and they were quite powerful groups in their time, attracting MPs and captains of industry but those times have definitely changed," says Ken.

"The textile industry was very different then and so there is not quite the same interest today. You have to accept that."

"It's sad it's going," adds Bernard, but adds jokingly that at last he can relinquish the job of being secretary.

"I took it on as soon as I joined in 1980 and they promised me it would only be for a couple of years," he laughs.

Ernest was 15 when his association with textiles began. The young Halifax lad joined his father Isaac at John Holdsworth's, Halifax, where Isaac was head designer and colourist.

"I was taken out of school early and sent to the mill to train as a designer like him," he says.

Four years later he moved to British Furtex at Luddenden Foot as second designer before moving to Norman Scatchard in Ovenden.

When they decided to set up business in Northern Ireland, Ernest was charged with the task of establishing operations there.

By this time he had met and married Mary, had a son, Adrian, and had also begun teaching textiles.

His next job was with the Old Bleach Line Co at Randalstown, County Antrim, before moving back to Sowerby Bridge, to Edleston's where he stayed for 35 years until retiring.

"I set up the finest cashmere scarf department there, working with Italian manufacturers. I was also designing for Chemise Lacoste at the time. We were the only English firm to be doing that," he says.

He has been a member of the Textile Society since 1966, following his father.

When Adrian joined, the family made history by having three generations as members.

Ken, who started in textiles in 1958 at Joseph Sykes, Kebroyd, tells a lovely story of his first dealings with the society.

Having been told joining the society might be helpful he and a friend headed off to a meeting at the Alexandra Hall.

"We were late so walked into a hushed meeting, clomped our way across the floor and made everyone stand up along the row until we found some seats.

"It was only when no one mentioned textiles that we thought something was not quite right. After a while it became apparent we were at the AGM of the Halifax Building Society."

Ernest says he's happy that the society is "going out on a high", thanks to a trio of events including the final social evening, the annual dinner and the final annual meeting. "We've had some terrific speakers over the years and met some wonderful people. Lots of us will have happy memories of being involved.

"It was a great part of our lives," he says.

• The first official records refer to Halifax Textile Society being set up in 1913, although some older members believe there may have been a society even before then, says Ernest.

The first mention was in the Halifax Courier of September 27 1913, when an advert appeared appealing for members to attend a meeting and whist drive at Halifax Technical College.
Tickets, priced one shilling and sixpence, were available from Mr Clement Bolton, of Hough House, Stump Cross.
Famous visitors to textile exhibitions and events over the years have included the Duke of Gloucester, who visited Calderdale in 1977.
In its heyday, hundreds of members belonged to the society, which was made up of around 150 member companies.
After the AGM, a decision will be made as to the preservation of the society's books and records.
"We are hoping that the various chains of office and medals are going to go on display at Bankfield Museum," says
Ernest.

he young Halifax lad joined his father Isaac at John Holdsworth's, Halifax, where Isaac was head designer and colourist.

“I was taken out of school early and sent to the mill to train as a designer like him,” he says.

Four years later he moved to British Furtex at Luddenden Foot as second designer before moving to Norman Scatchard in Ovenden.

When they decided to set up business in Northern Ireland, Ernest was charged with the task of establishing operations there.

By this time he had met and married Mary, had a son, Adrian, and had also begun teaching textiles.

His next job was with the Old Bleach Line Co at Randalstown, County Antrim, before moving back to Sowerby Bridge, to Edleston's where he stayed for 35 years until retiring.

“I set up the finest cashmere scarf department there, working with Italian manufacturers. I was also designing for Chemise Lacoste at the time. We were the only English firm to be doing that,” he says.

He has been a member of the Textile Society since 1966, following his father.

When Adrian joined, the family made history by having three generations as members.

Ken, who started in textiles in 1958 a

t Joseph Sykes, Kebroyd, tells a lovely story of his first dealings with the society.

Having been told joining the society might be helpful he and a friend headed off to a meeting at the Alexandra Hall.

“We were late so walked into a hushed meeting, clomped our way across the floor and made everyone stand up along the row until we found some seats.

“It was only when no one mentioned textiles that we thought something was not quite right. After a while it became apparent we were at the AGM of the Halifax Building Society.”

Ernest says he's happy that the society is “going out on a high”, thanks to a trio of events including the final social evening, the annual dinner and the final annual meeting. “We've had some terrific speakers over the years and met some wonderful people. Lots of us will have happy memories of being involved.

“It was a great part of our lives,” he says.