MEMBERS who attended September’s monthly meeting were treated to an amusing, informative and nostalgic talk on the history of the Co-op. Founded in 1844 in Rochdale by 45 men who each contributed £1 to the capitalisation of the business, the societies celebrated their 150th anniversary in 1994 – a moment which seemed to have passed by everyone present - apart from our speaker, Ned Williams! However, when exhorted to shout out their mother’s or grandmother’s divi number, there was from the audience an (almost) deafening response. The Rochdale Pioneers were not the first to set up a co-operative, but they were the first to succeed.

Mr Williams talked at length about the organisations’ long histories (organisations in the plural, as Co-ops are local federations, all with slightly different interpretations of the rules by which they are supposed to operate). Known for the dividend it paid to members, the Co-op targeted women, as they were seen as the people who managed the family budget. Although the dividends were welcomed by members, staff members who had to distribute them, often around Christmas time, were not so happy. They invariably found themselves in heated disputes with members who were certain they were entitled to rather more than they received.

Posters and advertisements from around the middle of the 20th century would be dismissed out of hand today, but give great insight into the social history of the time. The representation of the nice middle-class family, with mother dressed for supper, father still wearing his jacket and tie and the children (one boy and one girl of course) sitting demurely as they all join together for polite conversation around the meal table, contrasted rather forcibly with family life today.

From modest beginnings the society grew and, over the years, diversified into a multiplicity of areas. When suppliers refused to sell to the Co-op, the society decided it had to produce its own goods. The Co-operative Wholesale Society (CSW) was set up with products being given brand names identifying the location of their production. The Co-op even organised tours (by Co-op charabanc, of course) for members to visit the factories where their favourite products were made! The diversification has continued to the present day with banking, insurance, travel and funeral services under the Co-op umbrella.

The society was also very community conscious. Rooms above stores were made available to all kinds of local organisations (youth groups and women’s guilds, for example) and it also sponsored choirs, brass bands and theatre groups. 2½ per cent of profits were set aside to help local schools, and some shops gave members access to books long before the days of public libraries. At one time criticised for its association with the Labour Party, the Co-op fell out with the politicians in 1928. However, relations have been restored and Labour MPs again receive some sponsorship from the society. One should not ignore the Co-op’s role in helping women. The women’s guilds (on the premise that they were meeting to discuss recipes and how better to manage the home – at least, that’s what they told the menfolk!) talked about serious issues such as the Spanish Civil War but, most importantly, women’s suffrage. The Bloxwich Guild has records dating back to its foundation detailing all the issues discussed by its (female) members.

The original store in Rochdale is now a museum but, in keeping with Co-op traditions, still closes for lunch and on Thursday afternoons! During the 150th anniversary celebrations, local people were surprised to see three coach loads of tourists descend to join in with the festivities. Nothing unusual about that, you might think, except that they were all from Japan! What’s more, they had spent five days touring various Co-op factories around the UK. Their plan? To set up their own Co-op in Osaka. All are welcome to join in the 50th anniversary celebrations in 2044!

Our thanks go to Mr Williams for a lively and informative talk. He, I am sure, will remember his visit to Evesham, as one of our members, Brenda Armitage, donated a Certificate recognising 50 years of service to the society by her aunt’s father. Dated 1945, the certificate is beautifully boxed and in pristine condition, a true reflection of the care shown, and value placed, by the Co-op on its staff.

GRAHAME PERCIVAL