In the year 1907 Normanton had a newspaper "The Normanton Labour News''. It was printed by Spencer P. Eames, West Street, and published by the Normanton Labour Representation Committee at their rooms, Central Arcade, Normanton. Down to this period the organised workers of the town had done their work through the Trades Council. But the Trades Councils existed chiefly, if not exclusively for industrial purposes only, and the workers all over the country had now begun to organize themselves politically.

This they did by forming Local Labour Representation Committees, whose function was to look after, and focus the political views and feelings of the general body of the organised workers.  

These committees sprang up in rapid succession in all the industrial towns of the country, and it may be truly said that they laid the foundation of the great Labour Party, which is now an important factor in shaping the legislation of the Nation and the political life of the people.  

It may also be truly said that the workers of Normanton were always keenly alive to their own interests, hence we find that in the year 1907 they embarked in the bold and dangerous business of running a small labour newspaper.  

The first issue of ''The Normanton Labour News'' appeared on Saturday, October 19th, 1907. It consisted of four pages containing twelve columns. It was a monthly paper and the price was one halfpenny. I have a copy of the first issue in my possession and have perused it with interest. It is printed in good type and its literary tone is fairly high. It contains a fine bust portrait of Mr. David Shackleton, then M.P. for Clitheroe and leader of the House of Commons. It also gives a brief sketch of Mr. Shackleton's life and an announcement that he would address a meeting in the Normanton Assembly Rooms on Feb. 22nd, 1908. There is also an article entitled ''Labour and the Church" by the Rev. J.E. Shepherd who was at the time Baptist Minister at Normanton. There are also a number of paragraphs dealing with the work of the Trade Union Branches and Friendly Societies, and a number of advertisements from the tradesmen of the town.  

''The Labour News'' however had only a short life for it ceased publication about the middle of the following year. I understand it was abandoned, not for want of support, but owing to editorial troubles.