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PROGRAMME NOTE The Co-operative movement has its roots in the Lancashire textile town of Rochdale where, in 1844, harsh living conditions and poor consumer protection inspired 28 working men to develop a new approach to the supply of food and other goods, as well as the provision of social and educational facilities for ordinary working people. To do this they set up a Retail Co-operative Society — The Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society, by scraping together £28 and opening a shop in Toad Lane. Here they sold wholesome, unadulterated food at reasonable prices. Any profit was returned to the purchasers in proportion to the amount that they spent — the "divi" as it became known. From these early beginnings the principles of Co-operation were formulated and included: The Rochdale Pioneers Society experienced difficulty in their early days in obtaining goods of the standard they required from private wholesalers. This led to the formation in 1863 of the Co-operative Wholesale Society (CWS). The CWS began manufacturing in 1873 with the production of biscuits and shoes, and over the years moved into numerous other industries. Today the CWS has the most modern tea and coffee blending and packing plant in the world, it has creameries across the UK producing fresh and dried milk, cheese and butter. Biscuits, jams, margarine, canned fruit and processed meat are also produced. It also has its own winery and is engaged in soft drink manufacture. Co-operative Movement in Ealing The Co-operative Women's Guild |