One for the diary, the History of the Coop, the talk at Furness Vale on May 6

Now there was a time when most places had their own Co-op shop and until the mergers of the middle and late 20^th centuries there were plenty of different societies, some larger than other others but all committed to the concept of co-operation.

In Chorlton there was one on Beech Road, two at various times near to the Four Banks and up by Hardy Lane another.

And in Furness Vale until it was merged with Whaley Bridge Co-op, they had their own society in with just one shop.

The original store which closed in the 1970's is now the Imperial Palace Chinese Restaurant.

So given that Furness could offer its own little bit of cooperation, the local history society is telling the story of the movement with guest speaker Gillian Lonergan of the National Co-operative Archives.

I freely admit that Furness Vale is tad far from Chorlton, but that has not stopped me from heading out there.  There is after all a good train connection and the Community Centre is not far from the station. 

And if like me you have a tendency to misread the timetable and arrive early there is a choice of pubs and that Chinese Restaurant which just happens to be beside the Community Centre and was once he Co-op.

Furness Vale Local History Society, http://furnesshistory.blogspot.co.uk/