Rushden Research Group: Co-op snippets from minute books & newspapers

Rushden Industrial Co-operative Society
A few interesting snippets from other Minute Books & Newspapers

Extracted from the Minute Book 1901-1905

31 Dec 1901
The matter of disposal of Butchers Black Mare adjourned for one month.
[I could not find the next discussion! Ed]

04 Feb 1902
A letter was read from the Trustees of the Succoth Chapel agreeing to sell the 9" of land adjoining our property on certain conditions, which were stated, for the sum of £10.

25 Feb 1902
No. 2 Bakery assistant (Johnson) had gone away & it was decided to advertise for a successor if he does not return by Wednesday noon.
Mr French said he would accompany Onan on his round on Thursday to see how long the work required.

22 Apr 1902
It was decided to allow a doorway for the convenience of Succoth Chapel to be made to open on our property in High Street. 6d per year to be paid as acknowledgement.

Miss Massom gave notice to leave our employ on Sat. Apr 26 '02 & the manager reported steps taken to supply the vacancy. Miss Rogers to commence at 7/- per week.
The action of Mr Haigh & Manager was confirmed.

Extracts from the Educational Department Minute Book 1918-23

30 Jan 1918
Mrs Cure unanimously elected as President, Mr F W Elsdon as Vice, F Berrill as sec.
The sec. was instructed to write to the Co-operative Union & make enquiry if any pamphlets were published containing advice concerning womens suffrage. If obtainable to get a supply & arrange for the ladies of this committee & the Womens Guild Committee to hold a joint meeting upon the matter. A suggestion was made that Mr Coles write a paper upon the subject "Why should a Trade Unionist be a Co-operator" or some similar title and Mr Coles promised to give same his careful consideration. F Berrill was nominated for a seat upon the Midland Co-operative Educational Association.

25 Feb 1918
An application from the Yarmouth Educational Committee for financial assistance in aid of theirefforts to entertain Soldiers visiting & under training in that town, was considered & the sum of 10/6 was unanimously agreed.

25 Mar 1918
Inview of failure of the Junior Employee Class it was agreed that the Employees be requested to return the text books held by them.
Leaflets referring to the suggested League of Nations were laid upon the table but it was thought advisable to await further development & information on the matter.

10 Jun 1918
Mrs Rial & F Berrill recommended the obtaining of the following literature for free distribution. It was agreed that 500 copies of each be purchased:

1. The Test
2. Programme of Co-operative Policy
3. Qualifications for the Vote

Rushden Echo & Argus, 12th October 1906, transcribed by Kay Collins

A Dance was held on Saturday in the Co-operative Hall, Mr Busby (piano) supplying the music. Mr Perkins and Mr Mead were the M.C.s.

08 June 1923 - Northampton Mercury

A scholarship of the value of £135 is being offered by the Rushden Co-operative Society’s Educational Committee to its members, tenable at Ruskin College, Oxford, the candidates to be between the ages of 21 and 35.

The Rushden Echo, 23rd March 1928, extracted from an article "Five Brothers at Rushden", transcribed by Jim Hollis:-

Mr. William Baker made the first loaf of bread for the Rushden Co-operative Society when they started that branch of activity in Crabb-street.

Rushden Echo & Argus, Sept 26th 1930

The Industrial Co-operative Society will on Monday next reduce the price of bread from 8d to 7½d, and it is understood that other bakers will make a similar adjustment.

Rushden Echo, 14th February 1969, transcribed by Kay Collins

How Rushden Developed

Kettering librarian Mr. J. Burden, talked to members of Rushden Co-operative Education Department at the Queen Victoria Hotel, Rushden, last week about the growth and development of towns in Northamptonshire.

He said that Kettering, Wellingborough and Rushden had started to grow in the nineteenth century while Corby’s growth came fairly late in the 20th century.

In the 100 years from 1850-1950 Rushden had developed into one of the largest boot and shoe towns in the county, second only to Northampton.

He traced the industries which had helped development in some towns and these industries included stone quarrying, iron, bell founding, lace, gloves, whips and textiles.

Rushden Echo, 14th February 1969, transcribed by Kay Collins

Classical Concert

Mr. Guy Wilkes presented a programme of records to members of Rushden and District Gramophone Society last week at Rushden Co-operative Education Centre. The members heard part of Greig’s Peer Gynt Suite Number Two, Sonata Number Five in C Minor by Beethoven, and music by Bach, Mozart and Rachmaninov.

Mr. Wilkes is a member of Kettering Gramophone Society.

Mr J W Goode

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