At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, a number of what were called Clarion Clubhouses were set up in rural areas to provide refreshments and accommodation for walkers and cyclists. They were the initiative of The Clarion newspaper, a Socialist journal established in 1891 in Manchester by Robert Blatchford and were rather like a forerunner of the Youth Hostels. The very first clubhouse was at Bucklow Hill near Rostherne, but when the lease on that property expired in 1902, the movement took over Oldhall Farm on Outwood Road in Heald Green and opened it to the public the following year. Further clubhouses were opened in Lancashire, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Warwickshire and as far afield as Essex. 
 
For some reason the Heald Green property was always called the Handforth Clarion Clubhouse, even though it was quite plainly within the boundaries of Heald Green. It was situated just to the south of the current recreation ground and Village Hall and finally closed in 1930. The accommodation consisted of four dormitories containing a total of 50 beds, a dining room to seat 200 people, a sitting room, a kitchen, a library and a billiard room. Outside were tennis courts, playing fields and two orchards     .
 
Rather than reproduce the excellent articles on the topic elsewhere, for more photos, detail on the Clarion Club or the socialist movement behind it, click on the links embedded in the article or shown in the Bibliography and Related Links section at the bottom of the page.