1. The Rochdale Pioneers

The Rochdale Pioneers – formation Hungry Forties Unemployment Poverty Food adulteration Chartism collapsing

The Rochdale Pioneers – formation Not the first co-operative society Learning from earlier experience Learning from thinkers like –Robert Owen –William King –George Jacob Holyoake Developing a workable model Developing the co-operative principles

The Rochdale Pioneers – formation

First meeting 11 August 1844 Decision to collect money to enable opening of shop £28 saved (£1 shareholding)

Insert section of film outside the shop

The Rochdale Pioneers – formation Difficulties in finding premises Providing shop fittings Problems in getting supplies of stock First night of trade

11. The Rochdale Pioneers

The Rochdale Pioneers - objectives THE objects and plans of this Society are to form arrangements for the pecuniary benefit, and the improvement of the social and domestic condition of its members, by raising a sufficient amount of capital in shares of one pound each, to bring into operation the following plans and arrangements.

The establishment of a store for the sale of provision and clothing, &c. The building, purchasing or erecting a number of houses, in which those members desiring to assist each other in improving their domestic and social condition may reside. The Rochdale Pioneers - objectives

As a further benefit and security to the members of this society, the society shall purchase or rent an estate or estates of land, which shall be cultivated by the members who may be out of employment, or whose labour may be badly remunerated.

The Rochdale Pioneers - objectives That for the promotion of sobriety a Temperance Hotel be opened in one of the society's houses, as soon as convenient.

The Rochdale Pioneers - objectives That as soon as practicable, this society shall proceed to arrange the powers of production, distribution, education, and government, or in other words to establish a self-supporting home-colony of united interests, or assist other societies in establishing such colonies.

Rochdale Principles Open Membership Democratic Control Distribution of Surplus in Proportion to Trade Payment of Limited Interest on Capital Political and Religious Neutrality Cash Trading Promotion of Education NB. The principle ‘Concern for community’ was added when these were reviewed by the ICA in the 1960’s

The Rochdale Pioneers – education 1849 First Reading Room Commitment to education Development of Library Development of Education Department Courses –Languages –Arts –Sciences Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society Library Catalogue 1868

The Rochdale Pioneers – development Expansion of trade –Two evenings a week for first three months –Five evenings a week New trades and departments –Drapery –Butchery –Tea –Wholesaling

The Rochdale Pioneers – development TradeMembershipSurplus (Profit) 1845£71074£ £2, £ (after collapse of Rochdale Savings Bank) £6, £561

The Rochdale Pioneers – development Branch store developments from George Jacob Holyoake’s “History of the Rochdale Pioneers” 1861 Rochdale Land and Pioneer Company 1862 Impact of Cotton Famine Opening of new central premises 1867 By 1880 membership over 10,000

Influence of the Pioneers Formation of other co-operative societies – ,000 members in 971 societies – million members in 1,439 societies Formation of secondary or federal co-operatives

Co-operative Wholesale Society Initial meeting 25 December 1860 Formed 1863 as North of England Co-operative Wholesale Society Rochdale Pioneers as members of first committee –William Cooper –James Smithies –Abraham Greenwood Rented offices in Manchester with two men and a boy

Co-operative Wholesale Society 1868 first premises built 1868 first depot – Ireland 1872 began banking (now The Co-operative Bank) 1873 manufacturing of biscuits and shoes 1878 purchase of first ship 1903 purchase of first tea plantations

The Rochdale Pioneers – formation