Gwent Archives
Blaenavon Co-operative Society
GB0218.D4639
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- Gwent Archives
- Creator
- Blaenavon Co-Operative Society.
- Title
- Blaenavon Co-operative Society
- ID
- GB0218.D4639
- Date
- 1936-1968
- Extent
- 0.015 Cubic Metres
- Language
- English
- Language of Materials note
- English
Biographical/Historical note
The modern co-operative movement evolved from the activities of the Rochdale Pioneers in 1844. The basic idea was that each co-operative would run a shop which sold local produce and that each member of the co-operative had shares in the shop. The manufacturing of goods to sell would also provide employment for the co-operative's members. Co-operatives were not just economic in nature; there was also a social dimension. They could help members improve their conditions and create a sense of community. Co-operative societies were owned and regulated by their members and customers.
The Co-operative Wholesale Society Limited united all the individual co-operatives in a federation for the wholesale buying and manufacturing of goods. The North of England Co-operative Wholesale Society Limited was created in 1864 and the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society Limited in 1868. In 1872 the `North of England' was dropped from the title of the organisation and the Co-operative Wholesale Society represented the whole of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland with its base in Manchester. It merged with the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society in 1973. The co-operatives became involved in a wide range of activities from printing and publishing to agriculture and piano manufacture. By the 1950's there were approximately 10 million 'co-operators' in the United Kingdom.
The Co-operative Union Limited is a federation of co-operative societies including the Co-operative Wholesale Society and other co-operative bodies in the British Isles. It functions as a governing and advisory body, defining co-operative practice and spreading information throughout the co-operative world. It was established in 1869.
In 1934 the CWS Retail Co-operative Society Limited was set up with the purpose of establishing co-operatives in areas previously without them and for taking over societies which were experiencing difficulties due to adverse economic circumstances. In 1957 it was renamed Co-operative Retail Services Limited.
In 1883 the Womens Co-operative Guild was created. At first it was called the Women's League for the spread of Co-operation. The Women's Co-operative Guild was set up to spread information on the purpose of co-operatives and their value to the community and the nation as a whole; it also promoted women and improved their standing in society.
Scope and Contents note
The collection contains Blaenavon Co-operative Society records: Applications for shares, sales returns and weekly branch cast statements.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Gwent Archives
Conditions Governing Access note
Usual conditions apply.
Conditions Governing Use note
Usual copyright conditions apply.
Accruals note
Accruals are not expected.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Deposited 2007
Appraisal note
All records have been retained.
Controlled Access Headings
Subject(s)
- Financial Records-Blaenavon Co-operative Society-Monmouthshire
Other Finding Aids note
A hard copy catalogue is available at Gwent Archives.
Collection Inventory
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D4639/1 Applications for Shares Apr 1936-Oct 1938 |
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D4639/2 Applicatons for shares Oct 1939-Jun 1940 |
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D4639/3 Applications for shares Dec 1941-Dec 1947 |
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D4639/4 Applications for shares c.1940-1945 |
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D4639/5 Mutuality sales returns Sep 1965-Mar 1966 |
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D4639/6 Weekly branch cast statements Mar 1966-Aug 1967 |
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D4639/7 Weekly branch cast statements Sep 1967-Aug 1968 |
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