After a bit of a wait the new toy shop opens as a co-operative in Chorlton. The former owners retired from business life and a great effort has been made to re-start the shop but this time as an Industrial & Provident Society. Official opening is Saturday 11th July at 517 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 0UF.
Website.
At today's Manchester Area Party AGM much was made of the Development Plan. Essentially it's the future structure of the Co-op Party in an area beyond just Manchester and Warrington and for the first time we had delegates from Stoke-on-Trent. It's an unwieldy area and one that will increase expenses for travel and mailings.
The guest speakers who stepped in at the last moment where two chaps from the new Staffordshire Credit Union. They'd obviously done the Powerpoint Presentation many times before. But it was no flaky wouldn't it be nice approach they talked about the grim realities of loan sharks, UK Christmas Hamper rip-off (£40 of goods for £90 - Farepak went bust even at those exorbitant rates) and the lack of thrift. We wish them every success to their members. The mutual offer for micro credit has a lot going for it - cheaper, safer savings - but not an instant fix. But long term solutions take time to deliver.
"two-way partnership will see Dogwoof and The Co-operative jointly financing the marketing and distribution costs associated with campaigning films on important issues, starting with BURMA VJ and THE VANISHING OF THE BEES."
Not the sort of stuff your PLC would touch, Burma regime politics and the threat to food supply by having no bees. More.
Showing films is still controlled by a less than a handful of distribution companies but you can still reach a large audience with the web, DVD and organised showings by voluntary groups. It's good that The Co-operative have seen the alternative distribution methods.
An online channel that hosts film clips and programmes relating to the co-operative campaigns and its broader aims. What's available? The Plan Bee campaign, Fairtrade, Young Film Makers showreel that runs for 20 minutes...Most of the clips are 4 or 5 mins and play on full screen. A good venture. It continues the Co-operative tradition in the moving image that's dates back over 100 years.
More..
Want banks to put you before profit? The feeling's mutual! with Michael Stephenson, Co-Operative Party.
The Co-operative Party has got itself onto The Compass Conference on Saturday 13th June. It's down in London and they've got some well known names doing spots on the podium. The Agenda.
Watch the 1 minute advert on YouTube, where else? Here.
It's not often you get one of these - a "Co-operatives and Trade Unions in the UK" conference all in the same room.
Friday 22nd May 2009, 1000h - 1500h
the Mechanics Institute,
103 Princess Street,Manchester, M1 6DD.
Speakers from both movements, include:
Hazel Blears, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
Dame Pauline Green, Chief Executive of Co-operativesUK
David Jenkins, Chair of Wales Co-op Centre, former General Secretary of Wales TUC
Neil Buist, General Secretary of the National Association of Co-operative Officials
Mick Taylor, founding partner of from Mutual Advantage
Guy Collis, UNISON
All the usual conference arrangements - coffee, registration, time for questions, and the open debate. The event is organised by Co-operativesUK with Unions21 and Ruskin College, Oxford.
After a quiet few months got two meetings to go to in one month...
The Co-operative Group round of regional annual general meetings is currently happening around Britain. The one in Manchester is at Co-op HQ - New Century House on Tuesday 26th May at 1930h. The next night is the final of the Champions League so am not sure how many will be going to the meeting in Eccles that night.
Nearly half of meetings are being broadcast live over the internet. You can see the full list of dates at Members Meetings.
Our own Co-op Party meeting is this Friday - see previous post - photos to follow after the event. There should be something worth snapping and posting.
This will be a first for Withington Co-op Party but the next meeting is in the city centre
The Euro Election Meeting
Arlene McCarthy MEP and Anthony McCaul from Hope Not Hate
Friday 15th May 2009 at 2000h
Friends' Meeting House, 6 Mount Street, Manchester M2 5NS
Euro Elections on Thursady June 4th are critical for Labour. In the North West we are hoping to return at least 3 and maybe 4 or even more MEPs (Arlene Mc Carthy, Brian Simpson, Theresa Griffin, Steve Carter or Claire Reynolds ) all of whom are Co-op Party members. The BNP do pose a threat under the proportional representation list system being used. We are grateful to Anthony McCaul from Hope Not Hate for agreeing to say a few words.
Football Club United of Manchester, owned by its members has joined Co-operatives UK. They are in the Unibond Northern Premier League, which is three divisions below the Football League, and playing at Gigg Lane, home of Bury..
Andy Walsh, General Manager at FC United says: “We are proud to be an Industrial and Provident Society and it felt like a natural progression to join Co-operatives UK."
Story at Crain's Manchester Business.
What a great title? What a story - not that I've read it yet. Do the washing, pop down to local Co-op for some groceries, bit of espionage, put kids to bed. Maybe not in that order.
You can get the publisher's details at Boydell & Brewer. It's just out in hardback.
