FOUNDATIONS OF THE CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT
1761
'The Society of Weavers in Finnick' was formed by 16 weavers in the Ayrshire village of Fenwick, the first co-operative organisation of the industrial age.
1775
Thomas Spence published his penny pamphlet, 'Property in Land Every One's Right'. It was re-issued as, 'The Real Rights of Man' in later editions.
1794
Whilst in prison for high-treason Thomas Spence wrote about 'Jack the Blaster' of Marsden Grotto, a farmer and miner, who in 1780 after being ill-treated by his landlord, decided to dig himself a cave beside the sea. Spence was the first to use the phrase 'Rights of Man' in this text, "Ye landlords vile, whose man's peace mar, Come levy rents here if you can; Your stewards and lawyers I defy, And live with all the RIGHTS OF MAN."
1795
The Hull 'Anti Mill Industrial Society' was formed on September 24th by poor inhabitants of Hull in protest of the high prices charged by commercial millers. These early co-operators started by presenting the following text to the Hull Corporation asking for assistance,
"We the poor inhabitants of the said town, have lately experienced much trouble and sorrow in ourselves and families on the occasion of an exorbitant price of flour; that, though the price is much reduced at present, yet we judge it needful to make every precaution to preserve ourselves from the invasions of covetous and merciless men in future. In consequence thereof, we have entered into a subscription, each subscriber to pay l/ld. per week for four weeks, and 6d. per week for four weeks more, which is to be the subscribers', their heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns for ever, in order to supply them flour; but we are conscious that this subscription will not be sufficient to bring about our purpose, we do therefore, humbly beseech your worship's advice and assistance in this great undertaking, that not only we but our children even yet unborn may have cause to bless you."
From 'Co-operative Development in Kingston upon Hull and District' by Samuel Marshall, (Manchester, 1951), p 130
1796
By 1796 the 'Anti Mill Industrial Society' had 1435 members, and on June 7th a foundation stone was laid by Sir Henry Etherington Bart, who had given £100 towards the erection of a seven-storey windmill as a means of producing high quality flour at a low price. The mill cost upwards of £2,200 and was one of several early English co-operative ventures.
1844
The 'Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers' was formed. The early consumer co-operative consisted of a group of 28 weavers who each saved £1 over a year, and with the £28 they banded together to open their own store leasing a property in Toad Lane.
1844 December 21
On Saturday 21 December 1844, the Rochdale Pioneers first opened their shop to the community at 31 Toad Lane. The shop sold five basic items – butter, sugar, flour, oatmeal and candles – pure foods at affordable prices just before Christmas during a period of mass unemployment and hardship. Although preceded by other co-operatives, the Pioneers' co-op established the 'Rochdale Principles' and was the first to pay a patronage dividend, becoming the prototype of the development and growth of the modern co-operative movement. The Rochdale Eight Principles were:
1. Democratic control : one member , one vote
2. Open membership
3. Fixed or limited interest on capital
4. Dividend on purchases
5. Trading strictly cash
6. Selling of pure and unadulterated goods
7. Provision of education of members in co-operative principles
8. Political and religious neutrality
The 'Rochdale Pioneers' traded independently until 1991.
1813–1816
Robert Owen, a philanthropic social reformer, and one of the founders of the cooperative movement, wrote four essays entitled, 'A New View of Society, or Essays on the Principle of the Formation of the Human Character' which outlines the principles of his socialist philosophy and his theory that, "Man's character is made for him and not by him".
1863
To be able to buy in the best markets, the 'North of England Wholesale Society' was established in 1863, and soon became the 'Cooperative Wholesale Society' (CWS). Activities extended into manufacturing, farming and importing.
The CWS Architects' Department served co-operative societies around the UK from its offices in London, Manchester and Newcastle. CWS embraced many trends in architecture, from art deco to mid-century modernism, and many of their buildings incorporate impressive pieces of public art by architectural sculptors such as William Mitchell. Architectural historian Dr Lynn Pearson (whose book about the unique contribution the co-operative movement has made to Britain’s architectural landscape will be published in 2020) explains that, “the Co-op made a big impact with some lovely 1950s-60s murals on shop exteriors, so attractive and colourful, and now rare”.
1875
The first general co-operative store owned by the Hull Co-operative Provident Company Ltd, opened in Dock Street, Hull.
1883
'Women's Corner' had commenced in Co-operative News, and one letter urged the formation of a women's organisation within the Co-operative movement. In June Alice Acland and Mary Lawrenson launched 'The Women’s League for the Spread of Co-operation', with a membership of 50. The first branch was set up in Hebden Bridge in September.
1884
'The Women’s League' changed its name to 'The Women’s Co-operative Guild', a conscious shift to be a separate guild from the wider co-operative movement. The name was later changed again to 'The Co-operative Women's Guild.'
1889
Margaret Llewelyn Davies succeeded Mary Lawrenson as General Secretary of 'The Women’s Co-operative Guild'.
1890
The first co-operative shops of the Kingston upon Hull Co-operative Society opened for business at 201 Hessle Road and 11 Wilton Terrace, Holderness Road.
1900
By 1900 there were 1439 different co-operative societies in the UK with around 2 million members.
1917
'The Co-operative Party' was formed, with an electoral agreement with the 'Labour Party'.
1921
'The International Co-operative Women’s Guild' was established with Emmy Freundlich as president and Honora Enfield as General Secretary.
1939–1945
During rationing in the Second World War the co-operative movement and CWS became highly involved in sourcing overseas goods for UK consumers and manufacturing wartime goods.
1958
The Co-operative Independent Commission was tasked with investigating the decline in the co-op movement and for making recommendations for revitalising the movement in the future.
1980s
The CWS began to merge with a number of failing co-operative societies
2000
'The Co-operative Retail Society' and the CWS merged to form the Co-operative Group, with 5.5 million members and sales of £13.7 billion. There are around 39 Co-op retailing societies as well as worker, housing and agricultural co-ops and credit unions.
2016
The Co-operative Women's Guild was an auxiliary organisation of the Co-operative movement in the UK and closed on 25 June 2016 after 133 years.
2019 December 21
175th anniversary of 'The Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers', arguably the birth of the modern co-operative movement.
'The Society of Weavers in Finnick' was formed by 16 weavers in the Ayrshire village of Fenwick, the first co-operative organisation of the industrial age.
1775
Thomas Spence published his penny pamphlet, 'Property in Land Every One's Right'. It was re-issued as, 'The Real Rights of Man' in later editions.
1794
Whilst in prison for high-treason Thomas Spence wrote about 'Jack the Blaster' of Marsden Grotto, a farmer and miner, who in 1780 after being ill-treated by his landlord, decided to dig himself a cave beside the sea. Spence was the first to use the phrase 'Rights of Man' in this text, "Ye landlords vile, whose man's peace mar, Come levy rents here if you can; Your stewards and lawyers I defy, And live with all the RIGHTS OF MAN."
1795
The Hull 'Anti Mill Industrial Society' was formed on September 24th by poor inhabitants of Hull in protest of the high prices charged by commercial millers. These early co-operators started by presenting the following text to the Hull Corporation asking for assistance,
"We the poor inhabitants of the said town, have lately experienced much trouble and sorrow in ourselves and families on the occasion of an exorbitant price of flour; that, though the price is much reduced at present, yet we judge it needful to make every precaution to preserve ourselves from the invasions of covetous and merciless men in future. In consequence thereof, we have entered into a subscription, each subscriber to pay l/ld. per week for four weeks, and 6d. per week for four weeks more, which is to be the subscribers', their heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns for ever, in order to supply them flour; but we are conscious that this subscription will not be sufficient to bring about our purpose, we do therefore, humbly beseech your worship's advice and assistance in this great undertaking, that not only we but our children even yet unborn may have cause to bless you."
From 'Co-operative Development in Kingston upon Hull and District' by Samuel Marshall, (Manchester, 1951), p 130
1796
By 1796 the 'Anti Mill Industrial Society' had 1435 members, and on June 7th a foundation stone was laid by Sir Henry Etherington Bart, who had given £100 towards the erection of a seven-storey windmill as a means of producing high quality flour at a low price. The mill cost upwards of £2,200 and was one of several early English co-operative ventures.
1844
The 'Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers' was formed. The early consumer co-operative consisted of a group of 28 weavers who each saved £1 over a year, and with the £28 they banded together to open their own store leasing a property in Toad Lane.
1844 December 21
On Saturday 21 December 1844, the Rochdale Pioneers first opened their shop to the community at 31 Toad Lane. The shop sold five basic items – butter, sugar, flour, oatmeal and candles – pure foods at affordable prices just before Christmas during a period of mass unemployment and hardship. Although preceded by other co-operatives, the Pioneers' co-op established the 'Rochdale Principles' and was the first to pay a patronage dividend, becoming the prototype of the development and growth of the modern co-operative movement. The Rochdale Eight Principles were:
1. Democratic control : one member , one vote
2. Open membership
3. Fixed or limited interest on capital
4. Dividend on purchases
5. Trading strictly cash
6. Selling of pure and unadulterated goods
7. Provision of education of members in co-operative principles
8. Political and religious neutrality
The 'Rochdale Pioneers' traded independently until 1991.
1813–1816
Robert Owen, a philanthropic social reformer, and one of the founders of the cooperative movement, wrote four essays entitled, 'A New View of Society, or Essays on the Principle of the Formation of the Human Character' which outlines the principles of his socialist philosophy and his theory that, "Man's character is made for him and not by him".
1863
To be able to buy in the best markets, the 'North of England Wholesale Society' was established in 1863, and soon became the 'Cooperative Wholesale Society' (CWS). Activities extended into manufacturing, farming and importing.
The CWS Architects' Department served co-operative societies around the UK from its offices in London, Manchester and Newcastle. CWS embraced many trends in architecture, from art deco to mid-century modernism, and many of their buildings incorporate impressive pieces of public art by architectural sculptors such as William Mitchell. Architectural historian Dr Lynn Pearson (whose book about the unique contribution the co-operative movement has made to Britain’s architectural landscape will be published in 2020) explains that, “the Co-op made a big impact with some lovely 1950s-60s murals on shop exteriors, so attractive and colourful, and now rare”.
1875
The first general co-operative store owned by the Hull Co-operative Provident Company Ltd, opened in Dock Street, Hull.
1883
'Women's Corner' had commenced in Co-operative News, and one letter urged the formation of a women's organisation within the Co-operative movement. In June Alice Acland and Mary Lawrenson launched 'The Women’s League for the Spread of Co-operation', with a membership of 50. The first branch was set up in Hebden Bridge in September.
1884
'The Women’s League' changed its name to 'The Women’s Co-operative Guild', a conscious shift to be a separate guild from the wider co-operative movement. The name was later changed again to 'The Co-operative Women's Guild.'
1889
Margaret Llewelyn Davies succeeded Mary Lawrenson as General Secretary of 'The Women’s Co-operative Guild'.
1890
The first co-operative shops of the Kingston upon Hull Co-operative Society opened for business at 201 Hessle Road and 11 Wilton Terrace, Holderness Road.
1900
By 1900 there were 1439 different co-operative societies in the UK with around 2 million members.
1917
'The Co-operative Party' was formed, with an electoral agreement with the 'Labour Party'.
1921
'The International Co-operative Women’s Guild' was established with Emmy Freundlich as president and Honora Enfield as General Secretary.
1939–1945
During rationing in the Second World War the co-operative movement and CWS became highly involved in sourcing overseas goods for UK consumers and manufacturing wartime goods.
1958
The Co-operative Independent Commission was tasked with investigating the decline in the co-op movement and for making recommendations for revitalising the movement in the future.
1980s
The CWS began to merge with a number of failing co-operative societies
2000
'The Co-operative Retail Society' and the CWS merged to form the Co-operative Group, with 5.5 million members and sales of £13.7 billion. There are around 39 Co-op retailing societies as well as worker, housing and agricultural co-ops and credit unions.
2016
The Co-operative Women's Guild was an auxiliary organisation of the Co-operative movement in the UK and closed on 25 June 2016 after 133 years.
2019 December 21
175th anniversary of 'The Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers', arguably the birth of the modern co-operative movement.
Every effort has been made in the accuracy of this timeline.
Please get in contact if you find any mistakes, or have suggestions for relevant additions for the timeline.
Special thanks to: National Co-operative Archive
Please get in contact if you find any mistakes, or have suggestions for relevant additions for the timeline.
Special thanks to: National Co-operative Archive
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The R&D project phase has been funded by James Reckitt Library Trust
in partnership with Untold Hull at Hull Libraries, and with the support of the Art and Design Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University and Hull Trinity House Old Boys' Association |