A plaque to commemorate the restored Old Library on Union Street was unveiled this weekend by Oldham Council Leader, Cllr Arooj Shah, and the Mayor of Oldham, Cllr Eddie Moores. It has been named after a historic figure who walked the terraced streets of our town, grew up under the smoke-filled skies and the relentless beat of the cotton mills, and rose to become one of the most senior figures in British politics.
John Robert Clynes (1869-1949) was a remarkable figure who transitioned from mill worker to trade unionist and senior Labour Party politician.
Serving as a Member of Parliament (MP) for 35 years, he led the Labour Party during its pivotal breakthrough in the 1922 general election, increasing the party’s representation from 85 to 142 MPs. Clynes went on to serve as Deputy Leader for a decade, became Minister for Food Control during World War I, and rose to the position of Home Secretary during the interwar period. He was also the Oldham Secretary of the National Gasworkers and General Labourers Union, which later evolved into today’s GMB Trade Union.
His journey from Dowry Mill to Downing Street is one of purpose, and a deep-rooted connection to the working people of Lancashire. This celebration our town’s history and how it shaped the country is great to see.
Its right that this local building of heritage, which I had the pleasure of visiting earlier this month, that has been named in his honour has been done so it can be put to community use as a vibrant civic and cultural hub. It includes a fully restored Council Chamber and Mayor’s Parlour, creative studio spaces for Oldham Theatre Workshop, a beautiful upstairs art gallery, and brand-new landscaped gardens that will host events all year round.
Earlier this year, I wrote a piece to mark 156 years since his birth to celebrate our boroughs history and how those who came before us shaped our country. To find out more about his life, and how Oldham shaped him into the leader he became., then head to the link for that piece here: https://jimmcmahon.co.uk/…/celebrating-an-oldhamer-who…/.
After 130 years of being a cornerstone of community life as Oldham’s library, this historic building has been brought into the modern day with its rich legacy intact as the JR Clynes Building 
Jim McMahon OBE MP 