Fairtrade Fortnight 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

"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

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

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

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.