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A compilation of largely unedited audio interviews giving an insight into the origins, development and eventual decline of the Co-Operative Movement with contributors who recall the early days and the ideals of the founders. We hear of a Co-op which began in Leicester, initiated by seven working men who put aside three pence a week each. A woman remembers her father (a member of the Independent Labour Party) as a founder, who believed that “co-operation was the thing to do”. One man describes the members’ dividends each quarter, at that time worth one shilling and sixpence in the pound, and the methods for calculating and paying the dividend. There is discussion about how rationing in the second world war encouraged further growth in the Co-op, alongside a critique of the introduction of trading stamps. One interviewee describes working for the Co-op in the Funeral service while another recalls being elected to the Board of Management. The working relationship with the Trade Unions is discussed alongside the political allegiances between the Co-Operative Party and the Labour Party. The formation and role of the Co-operative Women’s Guild is also described, together with details of its wide range of activities based around issues affecting women. The recordings were made in 1988 and there is a discussion of the contemporary state of the Co-op, with smaller societies merging, more superstores and fewer local shops. One man claims that the spirit of the original Co-operative movement is now gone. The original recording is held by the East Midlands Oral History Archive (EMOHA ref LO/039/C39), more information can be found at http://www.le.ac.uk/emoha/. This audio recording lasts for 46 minutes and 26 seconds.
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| Creators: |
Interviewee - Hayes, M.
Interviewee - Edwards, H.
Interviewee - Butler, F.
Interviewee - Wilford, H.
Interviewee - Williams, J.
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Subject: |
Economy, Social Enterprise
Oral History
History
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| Contributors: |
East Midlands Oral History Archive - Copyright Holder
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Date created:
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01 / 01 / 1988
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Language:
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English
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Country:
Region:
City:
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United Kingdom
Leicestershire
Leicester
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Rights:
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Community Media Association has non exclusive rights for the use of the work in The Showcase, but the overall copyright rests with East Midlands Oral History Archive. Copyright East Midlands Oral History Archive.
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If your browser can’t display the graphical link above to the translator, you may translate this page by going to the Babelfish website and pasting the address for this page into the box marked “Translate a web page”. |
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