The Straddlebugs and John Ruskin

When I was asked by a descendant of Frank Holdsworth Bentham if I was interested in an old Victorian Album, which had lots of carte de visite photos from Bradford, I jumped at the chance to have a look at it, and find out as much as possible about it. I was told it had connections with the Bradford Straddlebugs and had been passed down through the family. I had not heard of Bentham or the Straddlebugs. So my journey began.

The album is a leather bound Victorian album sold by John Dale & Co, Bradford.

The photos were carefully and temporarily removed from the album and inspected to see if there were any clues, names on the back of the photos, dates, photographers name, photos of places, buildings etc. One photographer Shepherd Brothers features strongly, in fact the first photo in the album was taken by Shepherd Bros. They were in operation between 1883 through to around 1887 from a studio at 80 City Road Bradford. F H Benthams address in 1881 was 31 City Road.

To arrive at a date for the album we have to look at the photographers that are featured, also at their studio addresses, along with the dates they were operating from that address. I made reference to the list of Leeds and Bradford photographers on this website.

The dates are reasonably accurate and are mainly drawn from directory listings and local advertising. Some are drawn from more detailed studies of the studios. Not all the photographs would have been taken in the same year. The bulk of the photos are from the 1880s, most probably the early 1880s. This ties in nicely with the date at which the Straddlebugs were formed, which was 1882. All the photos had been taken by photographic studios and included carte de visites, cabinet sized photos and tintypes. There are gaps in the album, so some photos had been removed.

The next step was to trawl through the newspaper archives and gather as much information as possible about, for example the names of the members of the Straddlebugs, along with any portraits or group photographs. Also the relationship between Bentham and the Straddlebugs is important, so any information on that would be useful.

The first thing that was discovered was that the Straddlebugs emerged from the informal outings of the Listerhills Sunday School. (Ref BWT 19th May 1916) . The group were formed in 1882 when nine friends got together and made their first Easter trip to Hawes. They were young men in their twenties. Seven of the nine founder members of the Straddlebugs are known and these were F H Bentham, T T Peel, J H Stott, Simon Tetley, William Newton, J Newton and Joe Hornby. The Straddlebugs were a walking and climbing group and may have been the earliest such group to be formed in England.

The first photo in the album is one of four men in walking and climbing gear with backpacks. Were these four the founder members of the Straddlebugs and did they include Frank Bentham? It was taken between 1883 and 1887 when the photographers Shepherd Brothers were operating from 80, City Road, Bradford. In 1881 Frank Bentham’s occupation was Wool Comb Maker (Master) aged 22. His father was a shoemaker, referred to as cordwainer in the census.

During the trip to Hawes in 1882 they came across another group of young men who were on a similar outing. They called themselves The Blasted Pines. By coincidence, the two groups met again the following year and decided that they would join forces. On the fourth year, in 1885, the trips moved to the Lake District.

During the years 1884 to 1885 the following people joined the list of Straddlebugs (Ref Strang) and so it is likely that at least some of these had been members of the Blasted Pines. Fred Foster, Harry Firth, E D Stephenson, H Hollingshead (Holly) J Brown and T Winterburn. When the two groups merged they called themselves The Blasted Pines and Straddlebug Touring Association, but by 1903 they were just referred to as the Bradford Straddlebugs Touring Association. They adopted the bug as a logo.

The group visited the Lake District year after year, and only missed one year, which was 1917. Instead of having their holiday break they donated £100 to the war effort.

This photo appears in the album. The inscription on the back says “Lister Hills Sunday School 1883”. Perhaps the two teachers here were Straddlebugs. Both men appear in other photos in the album, as shown below. We shall have to see which of the Straddlebugs were connected specifically with the Sunday School, and then make an attempt to identify them. Unfortunately there is only one name written in the album and that is Thomas Winterburn.

The fellow on the left not only appears in the photo of the Sunday School, but also appears in the group of four climbers. His position in the Sunday school photo and his relaxed demeanor would make you think that he was in charge. A close inspection of the photo of the four climbers reveals that he is central to the photo and the other three are carefully positioned around him.

At this point in the investigation I posted a notice on the home page of this website asking the question, who were the Straddlebugs ? Someone who was a descendant of a Straddlebug got in touch and said he had been given copies of some of the itineraries that had been produced, and he sent copies of these. One of them is shown above. Also searches of the internet via Google revealed an article in a Yorkshire Ramblers Association publication which mentioned a booklet that had been written by Ian G Strang, entitled A History of the Bradford Straddlebugs Association 1882-1975. I contacted the YRA, but during lockdown they couldn't get access to their library and so couldn't locate the booklet. A copy was also listed in Bradford Library but they couldn't locate their copy either. Not to be deterred I continued my research. Another search revealed a book by Simon Tetley entitled 'Straddlebug Rhymes' .

Frank Holdsworth Bentham (1858-1931)

Bentham was a successful businessman and local politician . He established his own business at first in partnership, but later as F H Bentham, Wool comb makers. He was elected to the Council and became a member of the Bradford Board of Guardians, becoming Chair in 1899. He also became a J.P. and served on a Royal Commission to review the Poor Law. His business started as 'Fortune & Bentham in 1879 manufacturing combing machines, circles and fallers for the textile industry in a small factory which came to be West End Works where Bradford University is now situated. By 1917 the company had grown substantially as F.H.Bentham, expanding to a secondary factory in Keighley and beginning the manufacture of industrial machine brushes that eventually developed up to the purchase of Charles.Widdops and F. De Courcy to form Widdop de Courcy in 1976 ' (Ref Widdops.com) This company is still in operation.

He attended Listerhills day school and Sunday School and was involved in the work of the Sunday School most of his life. He was painted by John Sowden in 1905 and died on a Straddlebug's trip to the Lake District in 1931.

Frank Bentham was instrumental in keeping the Straddlebugs together. He must have been passionate about the group and took the leading roll right up to the very end of his life. He died in 1931 aged 73 years. The 1903 itinerary shown above not only marks him out as leader but also as a photographer.

This photo by Albert Sachs is in the album and it has been confirmed by the family that this is Frank Bentham.

The second album and Strang's history of the Straddlebugs.

Some months after I was presented with the first album a second one was found along with a copy of Strang's booklet, written in 1975. The second album is completely different than the first. It has been assumed that the photos in this album had been taken by Frank Bentham rather than professional photographers. It is very interesting that the first photo in the second album is a portrait of John Ruskin, in fact it is a well known postcard. (not taken by Bentham) The Strang booklet revealed much more information about the Straddlebugs including a full list of members and the dates they attended the trips along with the number of trips each of them made. It would seem therefore that detailed records had been kept as to the attendees or perhaps someone has a complete set of itineraries. There is lots of fascinating detail in the booklet and it is suggested that anyone interested in the history of the Straddlebugs visit Bradford Library and reads this excellent publication. In the album there is a small post-it note against Ruskin's photo and it says "1894-1903 Lake district dedicated to John Ruskin" I had already drawn my own conclusions about the connection with Ruskin after reading various press reports - see below - but the booklet gave more fascinating detail. It says .... "In November 1888 Messrs Johnson, Bentham, Stott, Jowett and R H Rudd decided that it would be pleasant and profitable way of spending the winter months by meeting every Friday evening to study the works of Ruskin, and eighteen months later the Ruskin Reading Guild (Bradford Branch) was formally established." Not all members of the Straddlebugs were Guild members. The meetings took place in each others houses in rotation. " After the business and reading of the evening had been completed (usually of a political nature) much debate and discussion took place; some friendly and some aggressive, although they never fell out." One of the guests that was invited was socialist agitator Ben Tillett.

Press reports on the Bradford Ruskin Reading Guild

“In 1888 the Ruskin Reading Guild was formed, and it was largely due to the Guild that the history of the Straddlebugs had been one of progressive influence. For 28 years the guild had done good work and its influence on the City had been great. The Guild was a microcosm of the political world. Mr F W Jowett MP was one of the earliest of the members and the guild also included a strong section of Liberals, Conservatives and Socialists. After a few years of the discussion of social and political question it became evident that something more was needed. Mr Jowett was elected to the City Council and Mr Bentham's candidature for the Board of Guardians was promoted by the Guild and met with success. The problems discussed by the Guild had been dealt with in a practical fashion, and the members wished to honor Mr Bentham for the way he had thrown himself into the work the Ruskin Guild gave him to do.” (Ref BFD Wkly Telegraph 19th May 1916)

In response F H Bentham said “he believed that the Ruskin Guild and the Straddelbugs had done both mental and physical good for its members. He had never been on a ramble, and he did not think anybody else had without giving and receiving mutual benefits. The Ruskin discussions started with all parties present, but he did not think they had changed their coats in consequence of them. If they had not changed their coats, however, it was the only thing they had not changed, because their ideas soon began to run on similar lines.”

Charles Wade secretary

“Charles Wade whose death at Bradford was formerly head of the firm Charles Wade & Co, worsted manufacturers. Pakington Street, He retired at the beginning of the year. For 20 years he was a member of the Straddlebugs, a band of Bradford men who spend Easter walking and climbing in the Lake District. He was secretary of the Ruskin Guild and organisation within the Stradddlebugs which met to discuss literary works.” Ref Yorkshire post and Leeds Intel 22nd Feb 1934

But what was the work that the Guild asked him to do. What were Jowett’s policies, when he was elected. Perhaps if we examine these, we can better understand what had been agreed.

Photos of Fred Jowett and Ben Tillett on the Straddlebugs trip to the lakes in 1895. These photos are from the second album.

It is thought that the first photo has Ben Tillett on the right, the middle photo has Tillett in the centre and the photo on the right has Tillett in the centre with Jowett towards the right with the trilby hat.

This photo has Fred Jowett on the right. Taken in front of the hotel in 1897

The Labour Contingent

An extract from Wikiwand website on the history of the labour party…

“In 1892, Fred Jowett (a member of the Independent Labour Party) became the first socialist to be elected to Bradford City Council. A few months later, Jowett founded a branch of the Independent Labour Party in that city. As a member of Bradford City Council, Jowett was responsible for the passage of several important reforms that were eventually adopted by other local authorities. In 1904, for instance, Bradford became the first local authority in Britain to provide free school meals, while a successful campaign led to the clearing of a slum area and its replacement with new houses. Jowett was also a supporter of reforming the 1834 Poor Law, and attempted to improve the quality of the food given to the children in the Bradford Workhouse after being elected as a Poor Law Guardian.”

Press reports on the 1924 trip stated that Fred Jowett, Ben Tillett and Willie Leach had taken an aeroplane to fly to the Straddlebugs outing in the Lakes. “On Sunday noon” the programme continues, a visit is expected by an ex Straddlebug now hot air minister, in his latest bi-place. His passengers will be two ex Straddlebugs. One is now minister of Works and the other leader of strikes. They will carry a supply of gas bombs. We’ve had some before but not just like it. You won’t J’nowett Tillet comes”. These latter references are to Mr W Leach and Mr F W Jowett, two Bradford M.P.’s and Mr Ben Tillett, all of whom had much practice in dialectics (a discourse between two or more people holding different points of view about a subject but wishing to establish the truth through reasoned methods of argumentation) in the debating society out of which the Straddlebugs sprang. “

Ref YEP 19th April 1924

This was obviously something that was written in the 1924 program as an event to come. Was it written in jest? (Labour had just formed its first government with support from the Liberals) Jowett who was elected MP for Bradford East in the 1923 general election, was in the cabinet as First Commissioner of Works, and Leach who was elected MP for Bradford Central was given the ministerial appointment Under Secretary for Air. Ben Tillett stood in Bradford West in 1892 and 1895 but didn’t get elected. It was 1917 before he was elected as MP for Salford North. In the 1901 census Benn Tillett is described as a socialist agitator. He was involved in the dockers strike in 1911 and in 1912.

What were Fred Jowett’s connections with Socialist agitator Ben Tillett and Willie Leach? Every year an itinerary was printed for the Straddlebugs trips with a list of persons who would be attending and a list of persons who could not attend, but were clearly still on board with the group. In 1903 this statement was included.

“Lost to the Social Wing (no prospects)

F W Jowett, Chief Conspirator

B Tillett, Anti-Labour Agitator

Wm Leach, Arch Tormentor”

With regard to Jowett’s, Tillet’s and Leach’s politics. You can see from Bentham’s comments above that ‘all parties had been present’ and ‘none had changed their colours’ but it seems they developed a common view on certain things and a common purpose which Ruskin Guild members were keen to put into action by putting Jowett (Labour) and Bentham (Liberal) into a position perhaps where they could influence change.

It seems likely that what they were debating in the local Ruskin Guild was Ruskin’s views on social reform. In 1871, John Ruskin began his monthly "letters to the workmen and labourers of Great Britain", published under the title Fors Clavigera (1871–1884). In the course of this complex and deeply personal work, he developed the principles underlying his ideal society. As a result, he founded the Guild of St George, an organisation that endures today. (Ref Wikipedia) Further research is required to determine if the Ruskin Reading Guild is the same as the Guild of St George or something entirely different.

The book Ruskin and Bradford by Malcolm Hardman has this to say, on page 323 “Fred Jowett, the leading ILP figure in Bradford, was most inspired by John Ruskin… Unto This Last was seminal to Jowett’s thinking and in it he was attracted by the vision of government training schools for youth, government manufacturers and workshops, the establishment of the right to work, the provision of a basic living wage and other provisions which Ruskin saw the state making. This national vision did not deter Jowett from applying Ruskin’s aspirations to Bradford alone, with all the endemic weaknesses of local-government administration that entailed. He took up his crusade in 1892”

It turns out that both Jowett and Bentham had been involved with the Bradford Board of Guardians. Bentham had been a member since 1894 and was made Vice Chair in 1896 and Chairman in 1899. He kept this position for eight years. When the Conservatives gained a majority he was replaced. In 1910 he regained his position and maintained this until 1916. So, if Jowett was involved in 1904 in the bringing of free school meals to the children of Bradford you would think it must have been with the full support of Chairman Bentham. But the story of the free school meals is a complex one and although it was the Board of Guardians who administered this at the very start, things did not go smoothly, and Jowett was pushing in 1895 for the Education Committee to take over responsibility.

Ref BWT 6th Oct 1895

Listerhills Chapel and Sunday School

When Fred Foster was appointed Mayor and Edward James Smith was deputy the newspapers began to comment on the fact that they were both connected to Listerhills Chapel. They soon realised it was not only them, many other notable men were also connected with this Institution. Furthermore, the connections did not restrict themselves to the Listerhills Chapel, they extended to the Straddlebugs. Here are just a few of the press cuttings. The names in bold are all Straddlebugs.

“The appointment of Mr E J Smith as Deputy Lord Mayor is a compliment to the out-townships, but also at the same time a proof of the maintenance unimpaired of an old personal friendship. There is no doubt Mr E J Smith’s efficiency for any contingency that is likely to arise in the municipal year needing assistance of the Deputy Lord Mayor. The Straddlebugs ought to rejoice greatly that both his lordship and his sub-lordship are both original members of that distinguished Ruskinesque society.” Ref BWT 15th Nov 1912

Notable Men in Civic Affairs

“It is probably well known that the present Lord Mayor (Ald Fred Foster) is connected with the Listerhills Chapel, but it may not be so generally known that many years ago, and on two occasions, the chapel has numbered Mayors among its supporters, the late Mr Tom Priestley and the late Sam Smith being both connected with the chapel. Mr Smith would be especially remembered for his interest in music, not only in connection with the chapel, but in a wider field. He was one of the inaugurators of the scheme to build St George’s Hall.

It was, no doubt, the influence and example of such men as Mr Priestley and Mr Smith that inspired so many others, then young members of the congregation, to undertake public work in a spirit of very notable earnestness and zeal. Amongst them such men may be mentioned Mr F H Bentham, the well-known Bradford Guardian, and one of the most prominent authorities of the Poor Law in this country. Mr E J Smith, the present deputy Lord Mayor, and one of the most outstanding personalities on the City Council, was associated with the Listerhills Chapel, and the list also includes such well known civic workers as Ald Sam Horsfall, Mr William Leach, Mr J H Stott and Mr Walter Barber. Mr F W Jowett, MP for the Western Division is another distinguished son of the chapel.”

Ref The Bfd Weekly Telegraph 31st Oct 1913

Lord Mayors Memories

“The Lord Mayor said that it was between 14 and 15 years since he went to that place of worship and since then many changes had taken place. He did not know of any place of worship where they had turned out more important persons than they had at Listerhills. He had been reckoning up, and had ascertained that the church had produced five Mayors and Lord Mayors during his time, three Members of Parliament, a member of a Royal Commission and any amount of Aldermen, Councillors and Guardians. He had known since he went to Listerhills many young men who had got the idea that they were too old to attend Sunday School or Chapel, and he was sorry to see a good many of these young men, who had a good prospect in life, ruined. He had never known those who kept up membership of Sunday School or Chapel ruined.”

Ref Bfd Weekly Telegraph 31st Oct 1913

Big Bugs

“And such an occasion was uniquely to be found the other night. Many of the Straddlebugs have become famous – to many, in fact, that one’s advice to the striving might well be to become a Straddlebug, and their names are well known and highly respected throughout the city. Straddlebugs, in fact, are frequently ’big bugs’ to put it vulgarly.”

Ref BWT 10th Jan 1913

E J Smith – Worthy of the week

In Sunday School, in connection, with the Listerhills Congregational Church he had quite a number of associates who subsequently attained to prominence in the social life of Bradford.

The roll of notable men who owed allegiance to that institution is an interesting one. Three of them have risen to the rank of representing local constituency in the Houses of Parliament, viz., the late Mr Briggs Priestley, who sat for the Pudsey Division; Sir William Priestley, the Member for the Bradford Eastern Division, and Mr F W Jowett, who represents the Western Division. The present Lord Mayor of Bradford is the fifth ‘old boy’ of Listerhills to hold the highest civic dignity, his predecessors in this dual distinction being Mr Samuel Smith (1851-2-3-4) Mr Briggs Priestley (1877-8,) Mr Thomas Priestley (1891-2) and Sir William Priestley (1904-5) Mr F H Bentham prominent locally and nationally in the administration of the Poor Law; Alderman S Horsfall, Mr J H Stott and Mr W Leach, who have been usefully identified with the Bradford City Council; Mr Stephenson, Master of the Arts School connected with the Bradford Education Committee, are others who occur to the memory.”

Ref: Worthy of the Week BWT 29 Nov 1912

Other Straddlebugs (The number of times they attended is in brackets)

T. T. Peel 1857-1935 (42 times)

Always referred to as T. T. Peel but think this is Thomas Townley Peel, son of John Peel. He became head of John Peel & Son Ltd worsted spinners and merchants. T T Peel was in 1907 president of the Young Men’s Association at Listerhills Congregational Church and the Cricket Club. Ref BDT 8th Oct 1907

J H Stott 1857-1941 (55 times)

This is thought to be John Henry Stott. Dyer - Mount Street Dye Works, J.P. Liberal Councillor for Manningham, Governor of Grammar School, member of the Ruskin Guild.

Joe Hornby 1858-1920 (28 times)

Iron and Steel broker.

Fred Foster 1859-1937 (53 times)

Wool Merchant. Councillor 1904, Alderman, Mayor 1912-13, Chair of Street Improvements Committee. Painted by Sowden 1909. Attended Listerhills Congregational Chapel in his youth. Ref BWT 13th July 1906

Fred William Jowett 1864-1944 (12 times)

Manager at a G W Leach manufacturer until 1901. MP Western Division for Labour, Guardian, supporter of Poor Law reform. Painted by Sowden 1905.

Sir James Hill Bart 1850-1936 (2 times)

Wool Merchant, Woolcomber and Top maker. Alderman, J.P. MP, President of Liberal Association, Mayor 1908-1909, Painted by Sowden 1899.

George Henry Robinson 1855-1941 (25 times)

Partner with Abram Peel, Robinson and Peel Woolcombers. Alderman, Mayor, J.P. Painted by Sowden 1914

Charles Wade 1858-1934 (24 times)

Worsted manufacturer, Stuff merchant, Wade & Co. Secretary of Ruskin Guild. Chair of Yorkshire PSA Foundation.

Copies of the paintings by John Sowden can be found on the Cartwright Hall website. Sowden was a Liberal and art master at the mechanics institute. He painted many of Bradford's worthies and street characters and donated his collection of paintings to the Bradford Museums just before he died. Unfortunately the museum charge silly prices for the portraits to be used and so they cannot be shown here. John Sowden donated the paintings to the people of Bradford and he was keen to display his work whenever possible. It is a shame that they cannot be shown here.

Simon Tetley and his poetry

Simon Tetley, one of the founder members of the Straddlebugs was an amateur poet and wrote many poems, most probably to entertain the members. The poems feature in a book by Tetley entitled Straddlebug Rhymes. The last poem in the book pays tribute to Bentham.

The Chief Bug

He is not very tall and rather thick set

His will is not unknown;

Whatever he wants he can often get

With a knack that is all his own.

He leads the ‘bugs’ like kneading dough,

A fact that is all to his credit;

Wherever he wants himself to go

It is settled that way, he has said it.

The “guardians” superior brains have got,

At least, in their own estimation;

But everyone knows he bosses the lot,

And is ready to boss the nation.

The “Poor Law Commission” reflects his will,

But there he has one great foeman;

With the result their labours are nil;

But then, she is only a woman.

Some people say he is heartless and cold;

Distance must make their vision dim,

We, who are nearer, would use the same mould

If we had the making of him.

He’s not after riches, we all must agree;

Like some around me here stood;

Much time he devotes to you and me,

And more to the public good.

We’ll gloss o’er his faults, though many they be,

And pass them by with a shrug;

And only remember the days full of glee

We’ve spent with our Worthy chief “bug”.

Tetley’s comment about the Poor Law Commission and the result of their work being nil is interesting. F H Bentham was one of eighteen that made up the commission. It lasted from 1905 to 1909 and produced two reports. One was the Majority report signed by fourteen members and the other the Minority report signed by four members. Bentham traveled 50,000 miles and spent 200 days on his work with the commission. Ref Sowden's notes and BWT 24th Dec 1915

The reports set the scene for change.

“Although no new legislation directly resulted from the Commissions work, a number of significant pieces of social legislation took place in its wake. Jan 1st 1909 saw the introduction of the old age pension for those over 70 (up to 5s a week for a single person, 7s 6d for a married couple) although until 1911, anyone who had received poor relief in the previous twelve months was denied a pension. In 1911 unemployment insurance and health insurance began in a limited form.”

Frank Holdsworth Bentham featured as a 'Worthy of the Week' in the Bradford Weekly Telegraph 30th December 1910