Banner of the Co-operative Women’s Guild Buxton Branch
The Buxton Branch was formed as part of the Lancashire District in 1883.
In 1908 the congress of the Women's Co-operative Guild proposed an international alliance of co-operative women and agreed the motto 'of whole heart cometh hope, of comradeship comes strength'. The Guild came into confrontation with male co-operators over pacifism in the years around the First World War but the motto became more widely used after the war.
Cutting wheat, traditionally done by both men and women, illustrates the woman’s part in the symbolism of the federation – the wheatsheaf. Cornflowers are also used symbolically elsewhere in women’s guild banners. The dove symbolises peace and re-birth, indicating political support for the peace movement after The First World War. White swagged roses symbolise purity and good intent.
The date of manufacture is not known. The signature “E Amos” may be the artist / maker. The banner textile is a wool and cotton twill and the fringe is made of silk bobbles. The central and top images are painted. The flowers and floral work around left, top and right appear to be stencilled. The banner measures 137cm high and 150cm wide.
The Co-operative Heritage Trust 117927
The Trust was formed in 2007 by Co-operatives UK, the Co-operative College and the Co-operative Group to bring together heritage assets of the British Co-operative Movement to educate and inspire audiences about how and why co-operatives developed from the 19th Century.
The Trust cares for Rochdale Pioneers Museum and the Co-operative Archive based in Manchester. In 2012 the National Lottery Heritage funded Rochdale Project took place including a major renovation of the museum building.
The banner and textile collection
As part of the Rochdale Project, conservation of banners in the collection was undertaken at the textile studios of the People’s History Museum, Manchester.
Trades Union style banners were carried by co-operators to reflect the pride of the membership in their societies and to rally support for positive change. As such they are decorated with symbols representing friendship, solidarity and peace.
https://www.co-operativeheritage.coop/
Photography by John Harris / Report Digital. Digital retouching by Adrian Hayes.
Photography, design and print by unionised labour. www.reportdigital.co.uk, www.kavitagraphics.co.uk and www.rapspiderweb.co.uk
