Banner of the Rochdale Community History Group
Rochdale Community History Group 1994 Committee for the Celebration of the Centenary of the opening of 31 Toad Lane store of ‘Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers’.
Made in 1994 by members of the committee; D. Walkins, M. Rimmer and A. Smith.
The dark teal cotton fabric background is bordered with red. The cotton motifs and lettering reading ‘Co-operation ... to the next 150 years’ are machine sewn as is the satin / figured weave ribbon trim. Lining is a plain woven polyester fabric. The banner measures 207cm high and 107cm wide.
The rainbow reflects co-operative associations with the peace movement and the International Association of Co-operatives. The beehive and three different varieties of honey bees symbolise unity, collectivism and diversity. The wheatsheaf is commonly used as a British co-operative symbol.
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
