Banner of the Middleton and Tonge Industrial Society Ltd Women’s Guild
The Middleton and Tonge Industrial Society was established in 1850, shortly after Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society. It opened a central store in 1871 and operated independently until 1950. The Women’s Guild branch was established in 1909 and operating until 1997 as part of Rochdale District Women’s Guild.
Made by Guild members but date is unknown. The letters were gold but have now faded to cream and are machine stitched onto the wool background with a cotton sateen lining and wool fringe. The banner measures 122cm high and 90cm 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
