THE subject of the talk by Mr. G Walker at the monthly meeting was entitled ‘The History of Winsford Co-operative Society’.

The talk was well attended and well received , especially by old Winsfordians who had a special affinity with the old Winsford Co-operative Society.

Mr Walker began by remarking that the history of Winsford was about salt, chapels, churches and co-ops.

The Co-op dealt with all one`s needs from birth to grave. Everybody up to the 1960s shopped at the Co-op.

Many could still remember their passbook and co-op number, the local branch number, coloured checks for milk, bread and coal, the characters who served behind the counter, the Co-op cafe where some had their wedding receptions and especially the quarterly dividend or “ divi”.

Mr Walker outlined the history of the Co-op movement from its Rochdale roots in 1844, to the foundation in Winsford in 1860.

He outlined the important rules behind the Co-op movement, fair trade, no corrupted produce, no credit, equal voting rights for men and women, quarterly presentation of accounts and sharing of profits through a dividend.

It was amusing to think that the first Co-op at the bottom of Winsford was built through members donations.

Unfortunately there was no money left to buy produce to sell in the shop and more money had to be raised by donations and some members mortgaging their homes. The meeting was nostalgic and well received.

Mr Walker thanked all those who had contributed artefacts, photographs and records to the society.

The next meeting will be on Monday, April 13, when the speaker will be Mr Tony Barratt talking about, ‘Cheshire Airfields’.