CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY—For some time past it has been intended to form a co-operative society in the town, and the bellman was sent round on Wednesday inviting all who were interested in the matter to attend at the Board Schools that evening. Between 20 and 30 responded to the invitation. Mr. C. Groome was asked to preside, and he stated that Mr. C. Perkins had informed him that a prior engagement prevented him being present, but the movement had his heartiest sympathy, and a letter to the same effect was read from Mr. W. Newman. The Chairman gave his ideas of the steps necessary for the formation of a successful co-operative society, and Mr. A. Beetson proposed “That this meeting is of opinion that a co-operative society should be formed for Higham Ferrers, and pledges itself to promote the same.” Mr. Beetson gave some useful information on the subject, he having been a member of the Finedon society. The proposition was seconded by Mr. G. Lucas, and supported in an able speech by Mr. J. Lambert, who had four years' experience on the committee of the Rushden association at its commencement. After several questions had been put and answered, the motion was put to the meeting and carried unanimously. The following were then appointed a provisional committee to prepare a code of rules and submit to a future meeting to be called at an early date for the enrolment of members, &c.:- Messrs. W. Smith, J. Lambert, A. Beetson, G. Lucas, C. Bates, W. Newman, and H. Johnson. The meeting then adjourned.

Higham Ferrers - Co-Operation—An adjourned meeting for the formation of a Co-operative Society was held at the Board Schools on Saturday evening. Mr. Wm. Smith presided, and there was a good attendance. About 25 enrolled themselves as members and a committee of nine was appointed, with Mr. G. Appleyard as secretary, and Mr. W. Smith treasurer.

Higham Ferrers Co-operation - A Pleasing Presentation to the Secretary
The half-yearly meeting of the Higham Ferrers Industrial Co-operative Society was held in the Band Club Hall, Higham Ferrers, on Tuesday, under the presidency of Mr. G. Hunt, supported by the secretary (Mr. W. Randall) and the committee.

The report of the committee was as follows:-

We beg to submit for your consideration the half-yearly statement of accounts. Notwithstanding the many difficulties under which business is carried out at present, a record turnover has been made. The total trade amounts to £9,511, which is an increase over the corresponding six months of last year of £2,246. We have pleasure in recommending a dividend of 2s. in the £.

In the fervent hope that the war will be over in the near future, and in view of the eventualities which may arise when that wished-for time has arrived, we have purchased some well-situated property which will, we think, be adequate for any possible immediate requirements.

In order to give practical effect to a resolution passed at the special meeting held in September last in favour of direct Parliamentary Representations, and to enable us to subscribe to the fund for that purpose, it is necessary that an alteration to our rules be made. We are therefore calling a special meeting.

The balance sheet was adopted.

The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted in Mr. G. Hunt being re-elected president, Mr. W. Randall secretary, and the following being appointed members of the committee: Messrs. J. Peat, J. Pashler, D. Green and Mrs. Mould.

Mr. J. Jackson gave a comprehensive report of the C.W.S. Quarterly meeting, and Mr. G. Hunt of the Liverpool Congress, both delegates being thanked for their services.

Mr. J. Jackson was re-appointed as delegate to the next quarterly meeting of the C.W.S. to be held in London.

A very pleasing ceremony was performed by Mr. G. Hunt (president), viz., the presentation to the secretary (Mr. W. Randall) of a gold watch, chain and pendant as a mark of the members’ appreciation of his 22 years’ unbroken and faithful services as secretary of the Spciety. The watch was inscribed as follows: “Presented by the Higham Ferrers Industrial Co-operative Society to Mr. Wm. Randall as an appreciation of his 22 years’ service as secretary. July 16th 1918.”

Mr Hunt, in making the presentation spoke in felicitous terms of Mr. Randall’s valued services, and mentioned how considerably the capital and trade of the society had increased since Mr. Randall first took office. He expressed the hope that Mr. Randall would be spared for many years to continue his good work on behalf of the society.

Ald. C. W. Perkins, Councillor F. Twissell, and others, cordially endorsed the president’s remarks, and Mr. Randall, in acknowledging the gift, heartily thanked the members for their good wishes and for such tangible appreciation of his services. He spoke in cordial terms of the support which had been accorded him by every member of the staff, support which had considerably lightened his responsibilities.

In regard to the prosperity mentioned in the half-yearly report, the committee were congratulated upon their business acumen and foresight in having acquired what should be a valuable asset to the society. A special general meeting followed for the purpose of considering an alteration of the rules, and in this regard the committee’s suggestion was adopted by a large majority.

The Higham Ferrers Industrial Co-operative Society Ltd.—Invite Tenders for Carting Coal from Station to Customers’ Houses in quantities as and when required; also for unloading and stacking coal at station, and carting coke and flour to bakery.

Any further particulars can be obtained at the office.

Tenders to be received by 6p.m. on Wednesday next, September 12th.

Those Early Days in Grocery Trade
Days when married men in the grocery trade received no more than is now paid to a boy or girl fresh from school, are recalled by Mr Albert Jacques, secretary-manager to Higham Ferrers Industrial Co-operative Society, who has just completed 50 years in the Co-operative movement.

Mr Jacques plans to retire at the end of October.

Starting early in 1897 with the Leicester Society at their Gresham-street branch, Mr Jacques drew 4s. 6d. a week at 12 years of age.

As one of a family of 12 he had to look around for extra pocket money, and began cleaning the bicycles of the other three members of the staff for a few coppers a week.

In time, his ambition to buy his own bicycle was realised.

For 18 months previously he had been a butcher’s boy in the evening and Saturdays for the weekly sum of 1s. 6d.

After seven years at Gresham-street store, Mr Jacques went on to a considerable number of branches in Leicester as a “relief” at holiday periods.

Training Classes
As a young man he attended training classes in various subjects, including book-keeping, and the technical side of the grocery trade. His teacher was Mr William Bradshaw, manger of the Grantham society and later of the C.W.S. at Manchester, where he was knighted.

As first assistant at the Walnut-street branch, Mr Jacques earned 25s. 6d. a week.

Married in 1910, he left Leicester early in 1911 to take up the position of store manager for Cosby Co-operative Society, near Leicester.

A wage was not paid, but instead a commission of seven pence in the pound was offered. Mr Jacques was also expected to find his own help and his wife was his right-hand “man”.

They worked a 70-80 hour week, with no mealtimes—from 7.30a.m. to 8p.m. on most days, till 9p.m. on Friday and 10.p.m. on Saturday.

In January 1916, Mr Jacques was called for Army service and went to France, being invalided home early in 1918 and demobilised in the February.

Grocery Manager
After his Army career Mr Jacques took up his first appointment with the Grantham Society, of which Mr William Bradshaw was secretary/manager. He was central grocery store and warehouse manager, while the butchery manager was Mr Tom Best, the present owner of Langton Abbott.

It was in 1921 that Mr Jacques went to Higham Ferrers as grocery manager. The membership at that time was 593, and to-day it is 1,321.

After holding the position for 12 years and following the retirement of the late Mr William Randall, Mr Jacques was appointed secretary/manager. When he “took over” the trade of the society was £17,244 for a half-year. Sales for the last healf-yearly period amounted to £38,181.

Mr Jacques, in pointing out that a junior now commenced at 25s. 6d. a week, said that when he and his wife worked together at Cosby they received less than £2 10s. a week jointly.

He says that he has had a pleasant and happy association with the Higham Ferrers society, although the past seven years, with the complexities of rationing, having placed a big strain on him.