Northern Star, May 2nd 1840: “The Stainland Radical Co-operative Society had a meeting on Tuesday 21st, when 62 of the labouring class took tea together. After tea a toast was drunk to “The Radical Co-operative Society of Satinland, and may its principles spread far and wide until the Charter become the law of the land!” Another to “The People, and may their voice ring in the ears of the Government until Frost, Williams and Jones, be restored to their wives and families, and receive such marks of esteem and approbation as their noble conduct deserves”.... Etc, all of which were spoken by J.Speight, J. Rawson and B.Rushton, after which the company separated in excellent good humour.”

Northern Star. February 1840. A meeting to discuss Corn Law repeal was held at the Oddfellows Hall. Jonathan Ackroyd took the chair, without a vote to elect him to that position, and delivered a speech in favour of repeal. There were interruptions from the floor of “Give us Suffrage”, with comments that without that, any measures would only be inadequate and partial. R Wilkinson intervened with an adroit speech broadening the appeal to remedy the working man’s situation, and stating his refual to support any partial remedy. During the following argument, a working man moved that Ben Rushton should take the chair, and a show of hands carried the motion. Ackroyd refused to vacate the chair, and Rushton said that he would only take it ‘if the gentleman leaves it.’ Such noise and interruptions continued that the meeting ended inconclusively.