Netherthong Co Operative Society Part 1

A Memory of Netherthong.

Netherthong
Industrial & Equitable Co-operative Society

Some of the first co-operatives were set up in the Holmfirth area well before the Rochdale Pioneers. In 1827 spinners, twisters, weavers, bleachers and farmers at Meltham Mills sold goods at the same prices as other shops and shared the profits out proportionately. Others were set up at Underbank,1832, New Mill, 1833, Holmfirth, 1833, Honley,1839, and Hepworth, 1840.
The Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers, founded in 1844, was an early consumer co-operative and the first to pay a patronage dividend forming the basis for the modern co-operative movement. Although other co-operatives preceded them, the Rochdale Pioneers became the prototype and are most famous for designing the Rochdale principles.

On January 14th. 1881 the first meeting to discuss setting up a Co-op in NT was held in the Free Church school.
It was proposed and carried that Barry Sykes be the chairman of the meeting. It was proposed that a co-op store be established in Netherthong and that it should be called the Netherthong Industrial & Provident Co-operative Society Ltd. It was further proposed that they should lease the premises, formerly known as the Rose and Crown public house, from Reuben & James Senior, brewers of Shepley at a rent of 10pa.

Full handwritten minutes of each committee meeting from the start right through to the last meeting on January 27 1968 are kept in the Archives Section at Huddersfield library.

The initial meetings were involved with extending and modifying the premises. The minutes identify that John Batley and Harry Eastwood were the joiners and Henry and Hiram Gill did the stone mason jobs.

The first general meeting was held on February 11. Mr. G. A. Senior from Berry Brow was accepted as shop manager at a wage of 26/- a week provided he entered into a bond of 40. Beryl Sykes would be secretary on a salary of 2 for the first half year. The treasurer was elected by ballot - David Dutch, 10 votes, beat John Beaumont, 5 votes, and George Platt, 8 votes. His salary would be 1 for the first half year.
The committee under the chairman, G. Fitton, were Jonas Hobson, George Platt, John Beaumont, Joe Wimpenny, Joseph Ricketts, James Eastwood, George Fitton, Alfred Sykes and Ben Hoyle.

A sign for the shop was made, painted and erected so that all entering the village could see it.

Also in the Archives is a ledger which gives a list of all candidates with profession, residence,name of proposer and seconder, date of proposal, entrance fee, signature, date of signing declaration and witness of signature.
'We the undersigned declare our willingness to be bound by rules and to take out at least 5 shares of 1 each to be paid by installments of not less than 3d. per week in the Netherthong Industrial & Equitable Co-operative Society.'
The first few names on the list were: Joe Hayle - publican: Joe Buckley - size boilers: Jonas Hobson - fitter up: Alfa Sykes - twister: Ben Sisson - dyer: James Eastwood - gentleman.

The Express reported the results of the half yearly meetings with details of profits, membership and the divi to be paid.

Various items of interest during the life of the Co-op are given below.

March 1882 - they held an Easter tea party and the entertainers included the NT Glee party and the Philharmonic Band.

In 1889 - Benjamin Sykes died. He had been the secretary since the formation of the co-op in 1881.

March 1890 - it was proposed that the dividend would not be paid on tobacco and snuff.

1892 - A resolution to purchase a horse and cart for delivering goods to members was defeated by 3 votes.

In March 1893 - plans were approved to alter and enlarge the shop premises. The manager applied for a reduction in the working hours of the employees and this was granted. The store will be closed at 7pm.

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