Withington Co-Operative Party

AGM Ahoy

2012-01-23T21:53:00.000Z

It's the AGM season and Withington Co-operative Party are holding it on
Wednesday 22nd February in Hardy Lane Co-op Rooms starting at 2000h.

As ever it is above the Co-op food shop (479 Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton M21 8AG) at the junction of Hardy Lane/Mauldeth Road West and Barlow Moor Road (entrance via black door to left of shop entrance).

Our guest speaker is Duncan Bowdler – who is a member of Manchester Area Committee and also a main board member of The Co-operative Group and a long standing Withington Co-op Party member.

He will be talking about "2012 -Year of co-operation". 12th January saw the launch of international year of co-operatives. The United Nations has dedicated a year to celebrating our way of working. How many businesses can say that?

We will have the usual AGM business and Fairtrade refreshments.

Co-op Values Book

2012-01-03T10:41:00.001Z

"This book, entitled The hidden alternative – Co-operative values past, present and future, came out of a conference held in Manchester in 2009 called ‘Can values make a difference’. It is aimed at an international audience of academics, co-operative members and all those interested in the co-operative model"

Essentially it is eighteen essays and one of them looks interesing to those who follow left of centre politics. Entitled "‘A Party within a Party’? The Co-operative Party-Labour Party Alliance and the Formation of the Social Democratic Party, 1974-81 written David Stewart.

Book launch is at Waterstones, Gower Street, London and the Eighth Day Co-operative, Manchester on Thursday 12 January 1800-1930.

Link : Co-operative College story

IYC-2012

2012-01-01T23:53:00.001Z

To give it the full title it's the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives 2012. The chance to promote and celebrate the co-operative model. Why not? These opportunties don't come around many times in a lifetime.

The official launch is Thursday 12th January. Actually it started months back in New York and Cancun. But hey it culminates with a big event in Manchester in the early autumn. Maybe the Co-operative Party can be part of it too.
Links:
The Co-operative 2012
Co-ops UK 2012

New Pioneers Short Animation

2011-11-02T22:59:00.000Z

The Rochdale Pioneers story told in animation in 4 minutes. Produced by Huckleberry Films of Accrington. Even the Crumpsall Biscuit Factory, Manchester gets a mention. Films have always been central to co-operative propaganda (don't be afraid to use that word) and now in 2011 it is on the YouTube.

Co-operative Housing: a way to address the housing crisis?

2011-11-02T00:15:00.001Z

Co-operative Housing is not a big deal in the UK but it could be. European average is 15%, this island it's a mere 0.6%.

Check this out, maybe even find out about the Bill currently in Parliament to change things for the easier.

Thursday 24th November, 1830 - 2000 local time & GMT
Committee Room 1, Town Hall, Albert Square, Manchester M2 5DB

Jonathan Reynolds, Labour & Co-operative MP and campaigner for Co-operative Housing Tenure - yes it his Bill in Parliament, 2nd reading in January
David Rodgers, Chief Executive CDS Co-ops
Cllr Colin Lambert, Leader of Rochdale Borough Council (tbc)
Chair: Cllr Sue Murphy, Deputy Leader, Manchester City Council - one of our own in Withington Co-Op Party and always speaks out on co-operative issues.

A better written version is on the Co-Op Party news page here.

IYC 2012 What a year ahead

2011-10-31T21:25:00.002Z

The big year for co-operatives all over the world. The UN International Year of Co-operatives 2012 and it has just started today Monday 31st October 2011.

The opportunity to celebrate the universal appeal of co-operatives and the future ahead. "Cooperatives are a reminder to the international community that it is possible to pursue both economic viability and social responsibility." says the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Usually we only celebrate our history in anniversaries.

But what is happening locally, and for us that means Manchester and nearby. There will be plenty of that glorious past stuff. The re-opening of the refurbished Pioneers Store & Museum, Toad Lane, Rochdale in early 2012. A Co-operative Heritage Trail: A booklet, leaflet and a map will be produced detailing key heritage sites of co-operative significance.

Then there is the Passport to Co-operative Centres: Members will be able to ‘earn’ a co-operative passport that would provide information on key co-operative outlets and centres in their Region. Stamps can be collected by attending activities, visiting key co-operative centres or on line through virtual activity. Members with six stamps or more in the passport would be eligible to be entered into a prize draw.

An academic conference, a big push on Fairtrade Fortnight, and the opening of the new HQ for The Co-operative in Manchester...We have some ideas ourselves for some activity and promotion in our part of the city. That's under discussion right now.

The best bit is at the end of the year. That's Wednesday 31 October - Friday 2 November.
"Manchester will be transformed into a hive of co-operative activity, with thousands of co-operators coming from the UK and overseas to take part in the global culmination of the International Year of Co-operatives. Manchester Central's 80,000 square foot exhibition hall will take centre stage with the ICA Expo co-operative trade fair, and a full programme of exciting events and activities will run alongside, from seminars and workshops to award shows and entertainment."

Links : http://www.co-operative.coop/2012
http://social.un.org/coopsyear/index.html

Successful Meeting on Transport

2011-10-30T10:48:00.001Z

One of the good things about the Co-operative Party is that you can get good speakers, people who know their subject who don't mind giving up their time to answer lots of questions. Well they are not going into a bear pit of a political point scoring and private agendas. Everyone is on the same side and wants the best outcome.

So it was this night, last Thursday. Room was a bit chilly on the thermometer but the atmosphere was warm. Cllr. Andrew Fender (Lab/Co-op; Old Moat Manchester) did the talk. Transport for Greater Manchester has been his subject for over 20 years. He knows his stuff. We learnt a lot. You have to go back to the Transport Act of 1985 which de-regulated transport outside of London and how the tax-paying public isn't getting the best deal. Lots of public money invested in infrastructure for heavy and light rail (metrolink) and lots of subsidy. Essentially paying private companies to make profits from a much needed public service is not an efficient economic for Britain.

Usually these meetings run for just over an hour but such was the interest that it was 2200h before we finally had to close it down.

More of the digital

2011-10-25T12:11:00.001Z

We're on that Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/withCoopParty or follow @WithCoopParty.

There is also a mobile version of this website. That's the QR code below. What next? As it is International Year of Co-operatives 2012, and it starts at the end of October 2011 we'll be making an effort to produce some video, audio and other things for the digital world.

Robert Owen Co-op is on Twitter

2011-10-21T20:49:00.000Z

Robert Owen, the father of co-operation, might have passed over in 1858 but someone is tweeting on his behalf. Bit of irony in that late in life Robert Owen did turn to spiritualism and had contact with people from an earlier past.

@RobertOwenCoop London
I am a social reformer. Through education, and improving the living and working conditions of all, I believe we can create a fairer and more prosperous society.

Or maybe it really his him tweeting? Well no the National Co-operative Archive have owned up. It is a way to draw attention to Owen's thoughts on social reform, education and co-operation to a 21st Century audience.

Here are the links
http://twitter.com/#!/RobertOwenCoop
http://www.co-op.ac.uk/our-heritage/national-co-operative-archive/

Ed Mayo Secretary General of Co-operatives UK clearly knows his Robert Owen. He recently wrote a concise article for Co-op News 14th October. The echoes of Robert Owen are in the current free schools movement. If you are interested it's worth a shufti at- http://www.thenews.coop/article/children-know-co-operation-lets-keep-it-way

End Legal Loansharking

2011-10-18T18:34:00.000Z

Manchester City Council has passed a motion condemning ‘legal loan sharks’ and promoting credit unions. It was proposed, seconded and supported by Labour / Co-operative Councillors, members of this branch. Although this doesn't change anything it does give support to the End Legal Loansharking campaign. It's a serious issue for people with a poor credit rating who have to pay interest rates of 2,000 percent and consequently get deeper in debt. Essentially the poorest have to pay the most for credit. It is not just cash loans it is easy-term catalogue shopping, or forced to use meter cards for electricity & gas. But that is an another issue, part of the bigger picture of no credit rating then you pay over the odds. Definately a need for further development of credit unions.

Notes and welcomes the UK-wide campaign to end ‘legal loan sharking’.

Believes that the lack of access to affordable credit is socially and economically damaging. Unaffordable credit is causing a myriad of unwanted effects such as poorer diets, colder homes, rent, council tax and utility arrears, depression (which impacts on job seeking behaviour) and poor health.

Further notes that unaffordable credit is extracting wealth from the most deprived communities.

Believes it is the responsibility of all levels of government to try to ensure affordable credit for all, and therefore pledges to use best practice to promote financial literacy and affordable lending. This will help to ensure that wealth stays in the local economy. We also pledge to promote credit unions in
Manchester, community based organisations offering access to affordable credit and promoting saving.

Calls on the government to introduce caps on the total lending rates that can be charged for providing credit.

Calls on the government to give local authorities the power to veto licences for high street credit agencies where they could have negative economic or social impacts on communities.

Signed: Councillors Sue Murphy (proposer), Kevin Peel (seconder), J Battle, N Murphy,
Smith, Longsden

Passed 12th October 2011.

Carbon Co-op at Hardy Lane

2011-10-15T18:58:00.001Z

South Manchester Co-op Members Group meeting open to all members of The Co-operative, not just the Co-op Party in South Manchester.

Wednesday 9th November 2011 at 1930h Hardy Lane Co-op Rooms
The Guest speaker will be Nigel Rose on “The Carbon Co-op and Chorlton refurbishment group”. The Carbon Co-op aims to "make it simple, cheap and easy for households, streets and neighbourhoods to come together to retrofit their houses through the purchase of low-carbon and energy-saving equipment."

Carbon Co-op

Subs price hike 2011

2011-10-12T21:41:00.000Z

Bit of price increase for Co-operative Party subscriptions next year, and the year after, and maybe even the year after that. As agreed at the recent Co-op Party Conference the rates will be :
2012 : £20 (currently 2011 : £15)
2013 : £25

The first year concessionary youth membership will £5. No figures for other concessionary rates but it is very possibly £5, up from £3.

Our own finances are robust thanks to recruitment and retaining members from earlier years. There will be some who will choose not to renew. The new Parliamentary boundary changes will mean some members will transfer to neighbouring Co-op Parties. But we are far from heading to a low ebb. There is one thin silver lining from having a ConDem government is that it invigorates the opposition to campaigns and activities. Hey, that's us. We're not going to sit back and hope things will not be too bad. If you can remember the last time it was the Tory years it was that bad..

Co-op Party for Wigan

2011-10-11T22:20:00.000Z

The trend for the last 20, 30, 40 years has been for Co-operative Party branches to slowly fade away to oblivion. Good to read one has re-formed in Wigan...

"An official branch of the Co-operative Party - whose members in Lancashire helped to found and shape the modern day Labour Party - has been reformed in Wigan and Leigh after an absence of more than 15 years." Back on the ballot sheet.
Story at Wigan Today

Not Manchester but the famous pie-eating town is just down the road or a few stops on the train. The link has a nice photo.

Manchester International Co-op Year 2012

2011-10-11T19:58:00.000Z

Next year, 2012, has been declared the International Year of Co-operatives. It actually starts at the end of October 2011. The Co-operative Group are off and running with this video, 2 mins and 9 seconds of colour. Manchester looks good in the pictures in there with London and New York.

Credit Union Day

2011-10-09T11:25:00.001Z

Another day another international whatever day. This time it's Thursday 20th October for International Credit Union Day. Yes, we have a credit union in south Manchester and it is called the South Manchester Credit Union which has been collecting and loaning since 2001. See the web site www.smcreditunion.co.uk/

For a global picture see ICCU Day.

Next Meeting is Transport

2011-10-08T22:01:00.000Z

The next meeting will be on

Thursday 27th October 2000h in Hardy Lane Co-op Rooms

(that's above the co-op shop at the Junction of Hardy Lane/Mauldeth Road West - but note Hardy Lane and the car park is blocked off with roadworks for the building of the new tram line)

featuring :
Cllr Andrew Fender (Labour Co-op / Old Moat ward)
Chair, Transport for Greater Manchester Committee
entitled :
'Transport for Greater Manchester's Current Policy Priorities"
There is a lot going on in relation to transport in the City so this will be an excellent chance to hear and ask questions to someone who knows the full story.

We will have our usual fair trade refreshments.
All welcome - you don’t have to be a Co-op Party member to attend. The picture is the the barriers to protect the recent Tory Party Conference in Manchester. Hand operated to let trams through.

Mutual or Big Society?

2010-09-12T21:29:00.001Z

"I just want to start by saying what a privilege it is to be here in Cardiff at the first Co-operative Party Conference in what I believe is a new era of Labour Party politics"...it goes on to touch on the mutual tradition and something called Big Society (whatever that is?)

Full speech by Tessa Jowell at the Co-operative Party Conference, Saturday last 11th September 2010.
Link.

Co-op Party Daily

2010-08-30T20:16:00.000Z

A new feature from the Co-operative Party is a news filled webpage. It is generated by an online application from Twitter using recent Tweets and those who you are following. These then link to the articles that have been alerts on Twitter. Anyone can sign in and create their own online publication. It is a good way to catch up in the evening on what has been going on....

You can see it here at paper.li/CoopParty

Peterloo commemorated

2010-08-15T20:22:00.000Z

Sunday 15th August saw the commemoration of the Peterloo massacre of 1819. This is part of the long running campaign to obtain a proper and fitting memorial to the event. The St.Peter's Fields have been built over but you can get near the actual site by standing outside G-Mex ( since renamed Manchester Central Convention Centre - a regular venue of the Labour Party Conferences).

Picture is of Geoff Bridson, long standing co-operator, dressed up in a Hugh Birley outfit. Full marks for the costume and going as one of the reactionary opposition to the people.

Ed at the Hustings

2010-07-02T09:20:00.000Z

Here we have Ed Balls MP (Morley & Outwood), well known for his co-operative credentials being interviewed at an event in Lambeth. It's hustings time for the Labour Party, and there will be one of those events in Manchester. Co-operative Party & Labour Party memebers can apply for tickets. Saturday 31st July, at the HQ of The Co-operative, New Century House started at 1100.

Anyway back to Ed Balls MP - you might need to read Ed Balls, Lambeth Co-op & Cutting Corners on The OnionBagBlog (fear & lothing in SW8) from where this audio snippet is taken.
Listen!

Live Webcast Monday 28th June

2010-06-23T21:52:00.000Z

As part of Co-operatives Fortnight, the Co-operative we will be webcasting a live programme here at 1815 BST on Monday 28 June from Toad Lane, Rochdale.

Presented by Paul Hendy and featuring CEO Peter Marks, CEO of Co-operative Financial Services Neville Richardson. Christine Tacon, Managing Director of Farms and Moira Lees, Society Secretary. You can join in with questions but have your membership number to hand to login. It might be all available later if you miss it.

Link

New Grounds Co-operatives Video

2010-06-23T21:20:00.002Z

"People who don't share our values politically using what we believe in as a cheap way to cut back public services" warns Michael Stephenson, General Secretary of the Co-operative Party. He is sat on the platform along with Cllr. Steve Reid from Lambeth Council who mentions iniatives in that borough.

An interesting short video from The Co-operative Membership dept for Co-operatives Fortnight.

Unicorn Workers Co-op Video

2010-06-17T22:17:00.002Z

A two minute video made for the first Co-operatives Fortnight by Unicorn workers' co-operative in Chorlton. It's in that British tradition of cheezy, over-acted style but having fun. Nice copyright free track by Moby who makes this music available for non-commercial use. Great effort...and enjoyable.

Co-ops Fortnight Ahead

2010-06-07T20:14:00.000Z

Two weeks promoting Co-ops is nearly upon us. There are some activities from Co-ops in Manchester as you would expect - On the 8th Day, Manchester Film Co-operative, Unicorn Grocery..etc & etc
12 page guide (it's got pictures) - here
Events in the NW England region - here

People's Supermarket to open in Londonshire

2010-06-01T17:08:00.000Z

Chef Arthur Potts-Dawson is on a mission to create The People's Supermarket: a not for profit, co-operative grocery store that will feature in a series of TV shows on Channel 4 in the U.K. in 2010. It's due to open somewhere in central London. You join, you volunteer for 4 hours a week and you get discount groceries. It's a tried and tested operation in New York. There is a downside in that supermarket skills look easy but lots of people can't cut it. Bit like badly run charity shops were socialising is preferred to business. Working tills, facing up, picking and stock rotation needs to be achieved. Motivated volunteers and training are the issues. But good luck to the venture.
Link.

Coalition Conservative Movement

2010-05-29T18:49:00.000Z

The Conservative Co-operative movement website has seen some recent activity. The rhetoric might sound like supporting co-operatives and mutuality but the Coalition programme for government has only the public sector in its sights for employee ownership. The Post Office has "opportunities for employee ownership" too - though how this squares with a part-privatisation I'm unsure.Wonder if the Lib-Dems will get involved, put Lloyd George behind them and start a 'Liberal Co-operative Movement'

There is a link to the link to the Localis publication
Policy Platform: “In Your Hands: Benefits and Challenges of mutual and community cooperatives in public services”. Which has contributions from different perspectives, Mary Rayner from Co-Ops UK, Karen Wilkie from the Co-Operative Party, and Simon Randall from the Conservative Co-Operative Movement.

Links :
Conservative Coops
Coalition programme.pdf
Policy Platform pdf

Open Access Bus Lanes

2010-05-24T16:46:00.000Z

Cllr. Sean Parker-Perry is hoping you might sign the online petition for open access bus lanes. That's about allowing motorcyclists to use bus lanes in Greater Manchester. Sean is a keen motorcyclist and is well aware of the safety issues involved.

"Motorcyclists are vulnerable road users and as such we need added protection. If the Government would like to continue to receive the benefits of motorcycling (reduced CO2 emissions and congestion) then we should be allowed to use the bus lanes to protect us from car users.

In passing this legislation the local Council's will be saving lives and thousands of pounds wasted in dealing with the aftermath of a road traffic collision."

Online petition is here.
http://www.gopetition.co.uk/petitions/open-access-bus-lanes-in-greater-manchester/signatures.html

More support for co-ops in the Big Society

2010-05-20T20:04:00.000Z

The Cabinet Office have issued a three page document and in it there a coalition pledge to "support co-ops, mutuals, charities and social enterprises"..

We will support the creation and expansion of mutuals, co-operatives, charities and social enterprises, and support these groups to have much greater involvement in the running of public services.

We will give public sector workers a new right to form employee-owned co-operatives and bid to take over the services they deliver. This will empower millions of public sector workers to become their own boss and help them to deliver better services.

We will use funds from dormant bank accounts to establish a Big Society Bank, which will provide new finance for neighbourhood groups, charities, social enterprises and other nongovernmental bodies.

Building The Big Society.pdf

De-municipalisation by the back door or a genuine attempt to deliver services for less public funding? When the honeymoon period of the new Con-Dems is over after the summer we'll probably know more. Selling off the Post Office (profits up 26% with falling revenues of 2%) is a clue to the underlying agenda.

Some Local Election Success

2010-05-08T12:15:00.000Z

In the local elections our supported Labour-Co-operative candidates did as well as we'd hoped, with increased majorities because of the high turnout for the General Election. So congratulations all round then...
Sue Murphy (Brooklands - maj. 1099)
Suzanne Richards (Longsight - maj. 538 )
Jim Battle (Ancoats and Clayton - maj. 1590)
Eddie Newman (Woodhouse Park - maj. 1802)
Chris Paul didn't win in the Lib-Dem stronghold of Withington ward.

The Labour Party made two gains from the Liberal-Democrats, and the Liberal-Democrats made two gains from Labour. So no change at Manchester Town Hall.

General Election Result 2010 : Withington

2010-05-07T09:22:00.000Z

2010 Result : Manchester Withington
John Leech (LD)                20110 45% +3%
Lucy Powell (Lab) 18216 40% -1%
Christopher Green (Con) 5005   11% +1%
Brian Candeland (Grn) 798     2% -2%
Robert Gutfreund-Walmsley
(UKIP)    698 2% +1%
Yasmin Zalzala (Ind)    147    <1% <1%
Marcus Farmer (Ind)               57 <1% <1%

Majority 1894 5% Turnout: 60% (+5%)
Liberal Democrats hold. Oh well, disappointment.

The vote was finally declared at around 0730h on Friday morning. Already had two sleep breaks, so much for predictions of 0300h and 0500h declarations. Twitter and #MEN2010 (Manchester Evening News) proved useful but the winner for bringing the actual local result went to BBC Radio Manchester live in the Town Hall.

Co-op Party Donations

2010-05-04T21:49:00.000Z

The Co-operative Party reported donations worth £477,546 in the first quarter of 2010. Not much when Some 14 political parties reported accepting £19,260,225 in donations over the quarter as reported by the Electoral Commission. Most of that was given to the Tories - over 12.3 million.

Why co-operatives are cool again

2010-05-01T23:11:00.000Z

Well we didn't know they were uncool, maybe not fashionable or in the media spotlight but still cool. Reporter from The Guardian (back to supporting the Lib-Dems now they are on the up, but if you are old enough they supported the SDP in the 1980's - another party that broke the mould of British Politics) anyway it visits local workers co-operative Unicorn. The mutual model has legs...
Read More

The Archers Co-operative Shop

2010-04-30T17:51:00.000Z

Since October 2009, The Archers have taken their 800,000 daily listeners through the process of a community coming together to set up a community-owned enterprise to save their shop.
More.

For those who are wondering what The Archers is. A very long running soap opera on BBC Radio 4 and has stories on topical issues affecting rural life, farming, plus the usual love interest.

Interview with Gen Sec Co-op Party

2010-04-23T21:22:00.000Z

"There is a definite ’sea of change’ happening between society and state, and a wave of enthusiasm for sustainable, long-term planning – so I believe it was the perfect time to interview the Co-operative Party General Secretary Michael Stephenson with the aim of learning more about the politics of the co-operative movement."

You can read and see the several short videos at Rob Dale's website - he's a very enterprising journalist student from Leeds and Co-operative Party General Secretary Michael Stephenson is being asked the questions. Link.

Video : Lucy Powell

2010-04-22T23:24:00.000Z

"YouFundMe is a non-partisan online fundraising solution built with the needs of Britain's fast-growing political campaigns in mind." That's what the website says. Here Lucy Powell has made an online video. It looks like it has been filmed in the Co-op Rooms HQ at Hardy Lane and those are the leaflets that are going out this week.

Co-ops Fortnight Newsletter

2010-04-21T21:43:00.000Z

A new Co-operative Fortnight newsletter is now in circulation. To find out all about forthcoming activities and to get some inspiration visit. We've heard there will be some activity locally.
http://www.thereisanalternative.coop/
For updates follow http://twitter.com/CoopsFortnight

John on a Co-op Soapbox

2010-04-18T15:17:00.000Z

Liked this photo posted on Twitpic by the Co-operative Party. It's veteran campaigner John Prescott stood on a Somerfield/Co-op crate delivering the message.

Posters, Billboards and Phone Boxes

2010-04-18T14:09:00.001Z

The Conservatives are not running any election campaign in Manchester Withington, they will come a poor third in the polls. But spotted this election poster on a phone box on Burton Road in West Didsbury.

That's the down side of booking hundreds of sites across the country - the scattergun approach is often off target.

Almost every aspect of this General Election campaign is being documented somewhat happazedly somewhere. Electionchampion.com is logging billboards across the country from photos sent in by readers.

A site with better photos and more humour is the Facebook Group - Vandalised Conervative Billboards.

The Road Ahead Broadcast

2010-04-15T07:36:00.001Z

Thanks to the YouTube we can watch the Labour Party Political Broadcast. No idea what the viewing figures for the Tv political broadcasts are, but the parties arn't going to give up that free air-time as long as somebody is watching. This week we've had mini dramas and animations. The earnest chap in a suit and a pipe behind the desk wanting to tell you "the facts" has long retired. If you want to see how it all started then have a shufti at Ramsey MacDonald & The National Government film (2 minutes) from 1931 - it's here on YouTube (where else?).

Your Vote Could Be Worth 0.851

2010-04-15T00:03:00.001Z

"In Manchester Withington, one person does not really have one vote, they have the equivalent of 0.851 votes. The power of voters in this constituency is based on the probability of the seat changing hands and its size. While you might think that every vote counts equally, where you live in the UK has a huge effect on your power to influence the election."

Check Votepower. A word of caution, aparthy can give results you never wanted.

Co-operative Toy Shop

2010-04-14T20:18:00.000Z

Britain's first co-operative toy shop is just nine months old and enjoying success. There was a story in the local paper this week - the place to bee.

Not a bad pun as the shop is called Busy Bee Toys.
The shop next door is one the few remaining record shops in Britain called King Bee - which isn't a co-operative but an independent trader. Like TV Rentals, Laundrettes, Post Offices and Travel Agents record shops are a disappearing High Street outlet.

Labour Manifesto 2010 in Animation

2010-04-14T19:57:00.003Z

Labour says "share our vision now by sharing our animated manifesto films with your friends". Good on the eyes and ears, a good all-round effort reports our critic.
You can download the manifesto (PDF) here.

Audio from the Co-op Party

2010-04-11T22:06:00.000Z

Audioboo is an application to publish short audio interviews from your mobile phone. The Co-operative Party is on the act. Why not? Cos you can.
Check the sound here.

Leaflet Monitoring

2010-04-11T21:47:00.000Z

Elections are still fought on leaflets. Paper thru doors and who can get the best, most controversial, yet another reminder, only we can win....etc, & etc.

This site is collecting examples from whoever sends them in. In there is the below the belt scaremonger job - how about Tories can save you from being stabbed in the street - here.

Make A Mark

2010-04-08T22:01:00.000Z

Lots of political images or potential posters at Make A Mark. Bit different from the usual cliche propaganda.

Local press coverage : Withington

2010-04-08T21:34:00.001Z

Is this Day 3 or is Day 4, according to the Manchester Evening News it is Day 3. What is happening locally, or very locally what has come through the letterbox today.
a) Leaflet from Labour to their supporters and members
b) Leaflet from Lib-Dems announcing their local election candidate (3 pages), and a page on the General Election
c) A phone call from the Lib-Dems. Politely told them I don't for them.
d) Free newspaper as in picture above, and story below.
Battlefield Withington - South Manchester Reporter Thursday 8th April 2010.

Co-op Party in the General Election

2010-04-07T09:44:00.000Z

"The Co-operative Party has launched a new campaigning manifesto, alongside profiles of the 42 Labour and Co-operative candidates who are standing for parliament in the election - the highest ever number of Co-op candidates fielded."
Details of candidates
Manifesto (PDF - with pictures)

Vote Global

2010-04-07T08:30:00.000Z

Lots of campaigning groups make use of a General Election to get their message across. The three main political parties have agreed to address world poverty issues on the third Sunday before 2010 Election Day - so that will be Sunday 18th April by my calculation, but may have to be corrected on that.

You can find out more at Vote Global - Make this election count for the world's poor is their slogan.

Local Elections 2010

2010-04-07T08:25:00.000Z

The local elections won't get a look-in as far as the media is concerned but there is another ballot paper on Thursday 6th May and most people will make the pencil "x" to elect a City Councillors. Look on the bright side there will be a good turnout, and you get two votes for one trip to the polling station...

Withington Co-operative Party is supporting several candidates all of whom are members of this branch :
Sue Murphy (Brooklands)
Suzanne Richards (Longsight)
Jim Battle (Ancoats and Clayton)
Eddie Newman (Woodhouse Park)
Chris Paul (Withington)

General Election

2010-04-06T19:44:00.001Z

At last it has been announced, it would have been a shock if it had been called for a date other that Thursday May 6th 2010.

If you want to follow Co-operative Party reaction, action and other news then the best place is on Twitter @ CoopParty. We'll bring some stories from the Withington Labour Campaign HQ, which is in the rooms above the Hardy Lane Co-op Store.

So, one month from now the electorate decide and by then we'll be worn down by the debates, accusations, leaflets through doors, counter-claims & etc...

Remember the Conservative Co-op

2010-02-25T20:56:00.000Z

"Remember when the conservatives announced that they were launching their own co-operative movement a few years back and everyone said "what??!",

Well, they're now incorporating it as a co-op, so what's to stop us all becomming members, exercising our democratic member control to call a general meeting, agree to dissolve it and distribute the assets amongst the wider, non-partisan co-op movement? -- tip of the hat to Adrian Ashton for this one

Full article http://bit.ly/cd38XW

Fairtrade Fortnight 2010

2010-02-22T22:23:00.000Z

The Co-operative has kept to its fairtrade ethos whilst others have clearly dropped off the bandwagon in the "boom years". The message this year is "The Big Swop". More details here.

Star Inn

2010-02-19T14:07:00.000Z

One of the interests shown by the members present at the AGM was a trip to the co-operative pub in Higher Broughton, Salford. On 15th October 2009 The Star Inn on Back Hope Street was bought by its regulars. The UK's first urban co-operatively owned pub with 62 shareholders.
http://www.staronthecliff.co.uk/index.html

Dirty Oil Movie

2010-02-19T14:03:00.000Z

Dirty Oil dramatically explores the battle between industry, government, local communities and environmentalists over the development of the oil sands of Alberta, Canada. The Co-operative is offering free tickets for the film to its members for showings on Monday 15 March, 1815h at 3 cinemas - Ambleside Fellinis, Liverpool Picturehouse, and Manchester Odeon.

https://www.co-operativememberevents.coop/dirty_oil_event/our_events.aspx

Mostly Peterloo & Some AGM

2010-02-18T23:30:00.001Z

A small muster of hardy co-operators turned out for the AGM. Most of the meeting was given over to Chris Mills, the Ethical Policy Manager of the Co-operative Group. We heard about several diverse campaigning iniatives of the Co-operative. Tar sands, sustainable fisheries, the Plan B for the honey bee, and democracy for Burma. Then the talk switched to an update on the campaign to have a worthy memorial to the victims and events at Peterloo. Even though that happpened way back in 1819 it still evokes emotions and an anger that it has been airbrushed from history.

The last twenty minutes had the re-election of the officers and delegates, actually no elections and everyone agreed to carry on for another year. The forthcoming General Election was the big event for 2010, and there are no plans for meetings and events until that has taken place.

Radical History Manchester

2010-01-25T15:40:00.002Z

For those with an interest in historical topics you'd do well to check out
Radicalmanchester. Topics include Co-operatives, Robert Owen, and even very recent history from the 1990's up to almost yesterday. It's in weblog format with short articles and interviews.

AGM & some Peterloo

2010-01-25T15:32:00.002Z

Thursday 18th February in the Hardy Lane Co-op Rooms starting at 2000h.
Annual General Meeting

We have Chris Mills coming to talk to us. Chris is the Co-op Group’s Ethical Policy manager but he takes a keen interest in Peterloo being onvolved in the Peterloo Massacre Campaign. So he will be talking primarily about Peterloo, but hopefully he will also be able to tell us a bit about his work as ethical policy manager.

After Chris has spoken we will have the usual AGM business – Officer Reports, election of officers and delegates.

As ever Fair Trade refreshments will be provided.

Greener Together

2010-01-20T17:29:00.004Z

"Greener Together is an ambitious and dynamic project. The core focus is to engage, support and provide the means to share lifestyle changes that reduce members’ and customers’ environmental impact in the areas of energy, waste and personal transport."

Greener Together- the co-operative way is part of the Greener Living Fund sponsored by Defra. Good ideas but we'll see what happens, if anything other than boxes ticked...

Co-operative Fortnight

2010-01-12T10:59:00.001Z

19th June to 3rd July 2010 will be a Co-operative Fortnight. Billed as the launch of a groundbreaking two weeks to celebrate co-operative business. June 23rd to 26th will be the UK Co-operative Congress at Plymouth, and the fortnight will finish with the celebration of International Co-operators Day.

Hydro Scheme For Stockport

2009-11-30T21:46:00.002Z

Two hydro power schemes have been given the go-ahead in Stockport. Otterspool Weir and Stringer Weir are archimedian screw setups which together will generate over 500MWh/yr. H2oPE a social enterprise is developing the two sites for construction in 2010.

Both schemes will be owned by the community with surplus profits funding further environmental schemes in Stockport.

The schemes are to be funded by a mixture of grants, a share offer and bank loan. Share prospectus are due out early next year and there will soon be a web site for your to register your interest in receiving a copy. We will announce this when it is online.

H2oPE is funded by the Co-operative Group, Joseph Rowntrees Charitable Trust and Key Fund Yorkshire.

New Toy Shop Co-op

2009-07-09T16:57:00.003Z

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.

Development Plan

2009-06-27T21:50:00.002Z

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.

Co-op Backing Films

2009-06-13T22:39:00.002Z

"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.

Co-operative.TV

2009-06-11T21:49:00.005Z

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..

Compass Conference

2009-05-19T21:47:00.002Z

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.

Co-ops & TU Event

2009-05-13T22:29:00.003Z

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.

Members Meetings in May

2009-05-10T20:16:00.002Z

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.

Next Meeting is in town

2009-05-07T21:40:00.002Z

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.

FC United join Co-ops UK

2009-04-27T19:45:00.002Z

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.

Spy Who Came in From The Co-op

2009-04-19T21:52:00.004Z

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.

Read Paul Gosling

2009-03-27T11:36:00.001Z

Paul Gosling writes a fortnightly column for the Co-operative News. It's a good informative read about financial matters of co-operatives and mutuals. You can see for yourself as the writings are available online.

He also writes, researches and broadcasts for lots of other titles.

Hardy Lane Co-op History Talk

2009-03-27T11:09:00.001Z

Thursday 23rd April 2009 at 1500h
(yes an afternoon meeting)
Tilley's Coffee Shop, Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton
(opposite Southern Cemetery).
Chorlton History Group
Talk about the Hardy Lane Co-op Store and the possible last co-op meeting rooms above in shop in the UK. You can read about the project to record the history of Store & Meeting Room at
Hardy Lane Scrapbook. Photographs, video footage, posters are being collated. Lots of material still needed.

Olive Co-ops Come to Chorlton

2009-03-26T20:53:00.003Z

Chorlton's Big Green Festival on Saturday 4th April.
The Olive Co-op will be there :-
"Olive Co-operative seeks to raise awareness of the difficulties faced by Palestinians, and to support those working for a just peace in Palestine and Israel. It aims to do this by three main means: sponsorship of new olive trees, arranging tours to Palestine and Israel, and selling Palestinian fairly traded goods in the UK."
There is a lot of events, food, bicycle parade, films etc... on at the Green Festival so you need to check their website.

Unicorn Co-operative Grocery in Chorlton on Sunday 5th April.
Sindyanna of Galilee will be there
"this is an organisation based on co-operation between Palestinian and Jewish people, founded on a mutual belief in equality and Palestinian right to self-determination. Sindyanna founders, Samia Nasser and Hadas Lahav, will be offering samples of their range of high quality, popular products including extra virgin organic olive oil, olive oil soap (plain and with four blends), olive wood soap dish, za'atar herb mixture, carob syrup, baskets and artwork."

Trees for Life

2009-03-18T10:23:00.002Z

"Trees for Life was launched in 2006, a joint project from the Olive Co-operative Ltd in Manchester and Zaytoun, a community interest company and member of Co-operatives UK. In the first six months the campaign had raised £20,000 to plant more than 5,000 olive tree saplings in Palestine..."

Greater Nottingham Co-operative Party have adopted this campaign with some vigorous fund raising activity. You can read about it at their website.

AGM done and dusted

2009-03-15T19:37:00.001Z

The AGM was held a couple of Monday's ago and forgot to post....We predicted a low turnout but come the Monday a good muster. The usual people stand for office and the usual people let them. The highlights are the refreshments - some home made Fairtrade crunchy banana slice, beers and crisps. Then a chat about a future programme. Settled on a realistic three meetings this year :-

1) An event at an ambient venue in the City Centre for the new members who have recently joined in that part of Manchester. Going to leave to cosy world of the Co-op Rooms of Chorlton, about time we got out more. A theme based around the forthcoming European Parliamentary Elections with a notable speaker and refreshments.

2) An update on The Co-operative's new Fairtrade products which is a heavy hint on New World wine tasting and some accompanying short video clips.

3) A meeting about the campaign to erect a statue to mark Peterloo. It might be 190 years after the event but it still provoked a lively discussion in the room.

Tory Porkies

2009-02-21T15:12:00.002Z

From LabourList channel on YouTube. Only a minute - if only party political broadcasts were this short and featured food.

New Co-op Advert

2009-02-16T21:02:00.002Z

If you missed the new 2 minute 39 second Tv advert for The Co-operative - the one with the Bob Dylan "Blowin in the Wind" soundtrack then you can see it at :
http://www.co-operative.coop/aboutus/

Don't know for how long it will be available.

Fairtrade Fortnight 2009

2009-02-11T08:39:00.000Z

It's that time of year again ,23rd February thru 8th March, when Fairtrade issues are highlighted. 2008 saw lots of events, film showings and publicity. This year with economic bleakness dominating the media things are bound to be a little less exuberant.

A view is that consumers generally trade down to cheaper options, and budget supermarkets in a recession. Confectionery, tea and coffee sales have been pretty much recession proof as they are the one luxury customers console themselves with...

Events noted so far in Manchester are at the 8th Day Co-operative, 111 Oxford Road with fair trade games, tombola (don't you just love that Italian word - from tombolare - to somersault) and tastings. Details here.

Cameron "Bring Back The Job Clubs"

2009-02-10T16:57:00.007Z

David Cameron addressed the Social Enterprise Coalition Conference today. He does a nice line in buzz words - enterprise, more training, empower individuals - that's what all politicians do. Put me down as naive but I thought he'd be offering support for all the social enterprise / third sector organisations given that was his audience. But no it's the same story of market forces, laissez-faire and bring back the Thatcher-era Job Clubs. The last one around here met in the Tory Club on a Thursday, don't know if it was like the one in the film "The Full Monty".

Not so sure about his take on capitalism :
"So if we want to make capitalism a success again, we need to make it popular again."

"It means shaping capitalism to suit the needs of society; not shaping society to suit the needs of capitalism. And it means being clear about the social goods we want our market economy to achieve - a society that is fairer, greener and safer, where we save more and waste less, and where we create good-paying and rewarding jobs for all."

History shows that capitalism does not create fair societies with well paid jobs for all. It can do wonders but that isn't one of them.
Full text.
BBC Report

No canvassing

2009-02-09T09:39:00.002Z

12 places up for the taking and 15 candidates on the ballot paper for the first Area Committee of this region. Co-operative Members have until Saturday 14th February to make their choices. Under the rules no canvassing for or by any candidate is allowed. Don't know what would happen if such a dastardly act took place. Obviously the online voting process is the quickest and easiest. The old school pencil, envelope and walk to the post box method is still available. You know you've been involved in this Co-op stuff a while when you've met most of the people standing for office. But I can't say who to vote for. Photo of election poster taken in my local store next to the adverts for unwanted electric guitars, buggies and other bric-a-brac...

Turn failed banks back into mutuals

2009-02-08T20:09:00.005Z

"Turn failed banks back into mutuals Labour is told", and the Co-operative Party makes it into a story in the Observer business pages, which might be a first. It is possible says Martin Weale, director of the National Institute of Social and Economic Research, but it will take time. Thanks to our Secretary for drawing attention to this article.
Story

Cameron at Social Enterprise Conference

2009-02-08T09:24:00.004Z

David Cameron is to make a keynote speech at the Social Enterprise Coalition conference fashionably called Voice09 and that room will be in Birmingham on Tuesday 10th February.

We'll await what he has to say, though you can't help being a little sceptical. These days you'd want to put as much clear blue water between the your party and the City institutions, hoorah capitalist speculators and the boom that went surprisingly bust.

Social enterprises are businesses set up to tackle a social or environmental need - more info. Co-operatives UK, Supporters Direct, New Economics Foundation, The Big Issue all have board members on the Coalition.

AGM Season

2009-02-06T22:18:00.004Z

February thru March is the AGM season. I've got about five written in the diary and the Withington Co-op Party is in there.

Monday 23rd February 2000h
at Hardy Lane Co-op Rooms. (that's above the shop in the picture. Entrance is the black door on the left hand side and up the steep stairs - never seen anyone use the chair lift but it is there as a trip hazard)

All the usual business, plus some refreshments purchased from the shop on the ground floor. Wrap it up just after 2100h and retire to the pub. Keep it brief and make it informal. We also plan our programme for the coming year. No local elections so that frees up April.

Our Secretary points out "More and more of our members live outside the ‘Withington Constituency’ particularly in the City Centre so we will be looking at organising at least one event in central Manchester this year."

There is a Plan B

2009-02-06T20:38:00.004Z

The Co-operative has launched Plan Bee, a new campaign and 10-point plan to help reverse the worrying decline in the British bee population.

Better than that you can join in with positive action if you have a garden or allotment. All simple practical steps like letting a patch of grass grow long, buying a bee box at a subsidised price, planting some patches of wild flowers (I'd certainly recommend borage as they little blighters spend summer buzzing all over them at my allotment).... More info

New Co-op Ventures in South Manchester

2009-02-05T20:39:00.003Z

A story in the local free sheet about two new planned co-operative enterprises has prompted a revival in blogging after an overlong seasonal layoff. A food store / cafe over in Longsight taking over from an existing business. Nearer here a co-operative toy shop in Chorlton, again taking over from a business that recently closed through retirement of the owner. All very encouraging in times of economic woe. The toy shop was a local institution though I suspect it didn't have enough customers. No indication in the story which form of co-operative ownership model is going to be used....

Co-ops: Together we can save our local shops
in the South Manchester Reporter 5/2/2009

Cherished Toy Shop
in the Manchester Evening News 6/2/2009

Co-operative Food Alternatives

2008-12-10T11:02:00.002Z

Article in The Guardian 10th December
"Supermarkets? No, thanks. Local food-buying cooperatives, which cut out the middlemen between producers and consumers, are taking the country by storm. But how do they work, and how do you set one up? Tom Moggach reports." Link.
The piece features a picture of members of Unicorn Co-operative Grocery, Manchester which is actually a workers co-operative and not a community consumer co-op. It's also the joint winner of this year's BBC Radio 4 Food & Farming Awards as Best Local Retailer which doesn't get mentioned in the article.

Film Co-op's First Christmas

2008-12-01T10:00:00.002Z

Manchester Film Co-operative shows intrigueing and thought provoking films and on Tuesday 16th December they'll be showing a "series of short films will include the doccumentary Au Rez-de-chaussee de la ville [Ground floor of the city] which documents the ecoBox project." Followed by music, food and xmas spirit. All this for £3 at the King's Arms, Salford. The room the films are shown in is a fabulous late Victorian treasure too.
Details.

Co-op at Festival of Britain

2008-12-01T08:48:00.004Z

There is a good post at Hayes Peoples History called The Lansbury Estate 1951 though the best bit for me is the CWS Furniture for your new flat - cheerful optimism in an age of austerity.

"The three-piece is of entirely new design, consisting of a settee, one armchair, intended for the man—comfort being the key-note—and the other for the woman, which gives firm support to the back and ample elbow room for sewing, knitting and the other spare-time occupations which fall to the lot of the housewife."

Lots of other good stories at the blog about local Labour Parties, sports activities, trade unions, demonstrations - helpful index at the side to assist the casual browser.

New Regional Party Structures

2008-11-23T15:33:00.000Z

Yesterday (Sat.22nd November) we had the chance to hear new General Secretary of the Co-operative Party, Michael Stephenson outline his vision and plans for the future. Very positive stuff about membership and online activities.

On a more exasperating note the new regional party structures have been formalised. It's a bit of a messy dog's breakfast. The Manchester Area (which is Greater Manchester but apparently excluding Bury, Bolton and Wigan), plus Warrington, Crewe & Nantwich, Stoke and anywhere else in between will make up a region. Title of the region not known, first inaugural meeting should be in April 2009.

Vote Yes : A Video

2008-11-23T13:32:00.002Z

An excellent use of video to promote the YES campaign in the forthcoming referendum in Manchester. There are some not so well made NO videos too.

Video Details : filmed at Manchester Piccadilly with a cast of hundreds - 2 mins 59 seconds
Tip of the woolly hat to Chris Paul's weblog for this item -Greening Manchester Travel A Tale of Two Videos.

Vote Yes

2008-11-22T21:35:00.003Z

At today's Manchester Area Co-operative Party a resolution was passed - urging people to vote yes in the forthcoming referendum on investement of 3 billion GBP in the public transport system and a congestion charge to be introduced in 2011. This is in line with support given by The Co-operative Group earlier this week.
Manchester Area Co-op Party believes that :
· the forthcoming TIF bid vote provides an once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve public transport in our conurbation
· the proposed improvements to public transport, cycling and walking, and greater control of our road network, will pay environmental dividends for generations to come.
· the proposed investment will provide a boost to employment in the region during these difficult economic times.

Money like this is rarely, if never ever on the table for Greater Manchester. It would a pity to not get it. As was pointed out there is no Plan B if the vote goes against the proposal.

We Vote Yes
Lucy Powell's weblog in The Guardian - link

Co-op Online Magazine

2008-11-21T22:22:00.004Z

The new online Co-operative magazine was been uploaded. Alright it's not a political document being full of recipes and xmas. There is a couple of pages on Fairtrade, and as ever the Co-operative introduces a new product - the UK's first Fairtrade sparkling wine from South Africa. There is some video clips - I particularly liked how to cook an aubergine? Don't laugh - I've had lots of meals at friends houses with badly cooked aubergine. Look on the bright side it saves on paper and postage, or should we be spending on such as spending is the only way out of recession? But an excellent effort all round.

Here is the link

Report on Academies Meeting

2008-11-20T19:53:00.003Z

Withington Co-op Party held one of its infrequent meetings, Wednesday 19th last. The turn-out was a little disappointing but the quality of the speakers and the questions made the night. First we heard Cllr. Sheila Newman (Labour : Chorlton) give the City Council's support for academies with certain conditions being set by the authority. Then Megs Bradley gave a presentation on The Co-operative support with 5 academies being planned. Followed by Hannah Spiers from the new Manchester Academy to be in Blackley. Other subjects discussed were the new co-operative trust schools. The first one is running in Reddish Vale, Stockport. The questions were very direct and open. As education is a department that costs lots of money the funding and finance issues were aired.

Meeting on Saturday

2008-11-19T07:55:00.000Z

Saturday afternoon is probably not the best time for a meeting. At least it's not all day. Manchester Area Co-op Party have their open meeting for local Co-op Party members, with a speaker from Manchester Home Carers – a newly set up co-operative which has spread here from Sunderland, and which was set up here at the particular invitation of Manchester City Council. There is also a chance to meet the new General Secretary of the Co-op Party, Michael Stephenson.
Sat 22nd November 1330h - 1500h at YHA building, Potato Wharf, Castlefield.

Robert Owen - Manchester #6

2008-11-17T21:05:00.000Z

Today is the 150th Anniversary of the death of Robert Owen. Apart from an excellent post by "Politics For People", the event has gone unrecognised. However his legacy of ideas carries on even if people are not familiar with his name.

Photos is the blue plaque on The Royal Exchange building, St.Ann's Square, Manchester. The site of a drapery shop were Robert Owen worked when he first came to the city.

Worth a browse are Archives Hub: Robert Owen which has a brief biog and some pictures of letters in the spidery quill writing of the day.

Earlier Robert Owen posts

Hardy Lane Refurbed & Re-opens

2008-11-15T21:07:00.005Z

Bit of giddyness amongst local co-operators as the Hardy Lane co-op store reopened today after a makeover in the new livery and layout. There is a vested interest in keeping the store going as our meeting room is above the shop. Now it has extended out the back the square footage of sales area has doubled. The meeting room will still be same size, and still feature the steepest staircase in Manchester. All in all, very impressive. Bright, well stocked and organised.

The shop and meeting room will be 80 years next year. Currently making a short video of its small history - the usual stuff of old pictures, bits of footage and definately some talking heads. Contributions welcome.

Co-operative Rail

2008-11-10T20:23:00.007Z

An interesting transport solution from a co-operative called Lightweight Community Transport. Ultra-light railcars to run on branch lines to serve communities that have few transport links.

They are currently seeking investor members, and will soon be staging demonstrations in Stourbridge.

You can read all about it :
lctltd.co.uk

Manifesto Website

2008-11-04T20:48:00.002Z

Co-operative Manifesto is a new Co-operative Party website that is concerned with developing you guessed - the next Co-op Party manifesto.
"over the coming weeks they will be hosting a series of online blogs covering the twelve themes of the manifesto"

An innovative idea for a poltical party to obtain feedback and input.
http://www.co-operativemanifesto.org/

Meeting on Academies

2008-11-04T20:42:00.002Z

We've managed to arrange a meeting on "Co-operative Academies". For some Academies are controversial but the Co-op and the City Council are working to develop an academy along co-op principles.

Mags Bradbury from the Co-op Group and Cllr Sheila Newman Manchester City Council Exec Member for Childrens Services.

Lloyd's Hotel, Chorlton 19th November starts 2000h.

Still Here

2008-10-22T18:40:00.003Z

Sometimes news goes through a thin patch. Especially when there have been no meetings. Hopefully one can be arranged before the xmas season kicks in, and hopefully it will be above the newly expanding Hardy Lane store. The official opening date is Friday 21st November.

One co-operative that is getting good support is the Manchester Film Co-operative with its monthly screenings. Next one is "Blood Car" on Tuesday November 25th...
"In the near future gas prices have reached $40 a gallon. Archie Andrews, an environmentalist school teacher, is trying to discover an alternate fuel source. While experimenting with wheat grass, Archie accidentally stumbles upon a solution. Human Blood".

The picture above which relates to nothing written here is a Manchester & Salford Co-op Commenrative Plate from 1909. The building in the picture used to stand in Ardwick and held the Labour Party Conference of 1901. A whole conference in a room above a store before all the corporate milarky and heavy security got in the way. Thanks to Michael for the irregular supply of interesting pictures.