The Chorlton and Manley Park Women’s Guild.

Well today there is another milestone in the blog, with the publication of this story on the Chorlton and Manley Park Women’s Guild.  It was researched and written by Lawrence Beedle who has agreed to post a series of stories over the next few months on the blog.  His own excellent site on local co-operative history can be reached from the link below.

A photograph of the Manchester & Salford Equitable Co-Operative store on Beech Road has yet to be discovered. Considering it was there from 1915 until 1967 at the corner with Stockton Road it was surely captured by a camera at least once.

Anyway this is an interior shot of the meeting rooms over the shop. It features the Chorlton and Manley Park Women's Guild holding their 25th Annual Party on Thursday 4th December 4th. "Freedom of the Branch" was presented to Mrs. Lomas the Secretary and Mrs. Scott for being associated with the Guild for all this time.

The cake was presented by Mrs. Mayo who received a cake stand for her services. Presumably all these ladies are surrounding the three tier cake which wasn't bad considering post-war rationing.

That fine banner which is blue is now held by the People's History Museum in thir banner archive. It has stitching on a royal blue background. Probably last seen in an exhibition of banners in Rochdale. That was way back in 1994 a part of the Rochdale Pioneers celebration of 150 years.

By modern fashion standards the people look and dress to appear older than their years? Also notice the chain of office around the lady in the centre. The Manley Park in the title of this organisation is at the north east end of Chorlton. There was once a co-op store in that area on Clarendon Road at it was here that the Guild met before WWII.

Picture; from the collection of Lawrence Beedle

Credits : Manchester & Salford Herald Co-Opertive Herald January 1948 page 21.

For more about local co-operative history visit www.hardylane.blogspot.com