Banner of the Lewisham Women’s Guild R.A.C.S.
The Women’s Guild of the Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society (R.A.C.S.). Thought to have been last used in the 1950s.
Made in 1927 by V Hardy, J Scott and R Springham (signatures on reverse).
Shot silk ground and lining in plain cotton. The motifs are applied in silk, satin and velvet with silk and metal threads and glass beads incorporated into the embroidery which is hand finished. The cotton cord and tassel are covered in silk.
The stylised white rose tree with long roots runs the full length of the banner. Fully bloomed flowers and buds symbolise the long history of R.A.C.S and the growing membership in symbols of flowers, youthfulness and loyalty. Sheaves of wheat are co-operative symbols. The banner measures 176cm high and 63cm 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
