Rushden Research Group: Co-op Wheatwheaf Magazine 1932

Transcribed by Kay Collins

Co-op - The "Wheatsheaf"

In the 1930s a national Co-op Magazine was produced, with a local 4-page insert.
We have copied the local section from two magazines for Nov/Dec 1932:-

November 1932

		A page and a half of this month's Rushden section was taken up with these two adverts.
Local Notes and Notices. NEW HOUSES, BEDFORD ROAD. We have accepted a tender for the erection of two further houses and work will commence shortly. They will be a little larger than the previous two and the frontage has also been altered. These differences will be pointed out to anyone who is interested and would like to inspect the plans at onr offices. The prices are of course higher. One which has the same area of land as the others will be £650, and the other which has an additional frontage of four feet will be £660, both inclusive of legal expenses. SAVINGS BANK. We have to draw the attention of depositors to the fact that £20 is the maximum amount they may have to their credit. Interest on this sum must not be allowed to accumulate and therefore must be withdrawn each half year. We have a number of cases where interest has been allowed to accumulate and we must request the persons concerned to withdraw these amounts without delay. Our auditor has notified us that the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies is asking for a special report where the rule is not adhered to. Will those concerned please oblige ? STAMP CLUB. We have changed the colour of the 6d. stamps but members are asked not to attach any significance to this. These stamps will answer the same purpose as the old ones and the latter are still of value and may be sent in in the usual way. We do, however, wish to take this opportunity of asking for an increased trade in these stamps. If only one stamp is purchased weekly for ten weeks you will have 5s. worth which may be exchanged for goods in any of our departments. It is a real help in these hard times. Buy Stamps and use them for Christmas Club, Poultry Club, C'oal Club, or any particular purpose you desire. MEMBERSHIP CARDS. Members are now aware of the purposes for which membership cards are issued and requests are frequently made for a new one to be issued as the old one has been lost. This may be quite true in some cases but in others it is only a case of being mislaid and when this is eventually discovered two cards are in use. We must respectfully ask that where such is the case the oldest card must be returned to the office. One card only must be in the possession of each member. PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS. The attention of members is drawn to the necessity for paying all accounts in the same week as the goods are supplied. This applies to grocery, butchery,drapery, bread and milk. Bespoke orders in outfitting must be paid for in the week following delivery and this applies to furniture and coal. Mortgage repayments are due on the first of each month. Hire purchase payments must be kept up in strict accordance with the arrangement agreed upon. Mutuality club collections are due weekly. Please comply with these conditions and thus prevent any unpleasantness which may arise if drastic action is taken to secure payment. It is to the interest of the society generally that this reminder is given. REDUCTION IN INTEREST. The committee's recommendation "that interest on members' share capital be reduced from 4½ per cent per annum to 4 per cent per annum as from March, 1933," was agreed to at the last quarterly meeting. This does not mean that the interest calculated at the end of this half year which is March 11th will be at the new rate. The new rate will first be calculated on the half year March to September, 1933. In view of the above the committee has decided to reduce from the same date the rate of interest on loan capital from 4½ per cent to 3¾ per cent per annum. The interest on savings bank claims may be reduced but a definite decision on this point will be arrived at later. BUTCHERY DEPARTMENT. In common with some other departments the sales in values show a decrease, but when the quantity of goods sold is taken into account a different story is told. A record is kept of the weight of meat sold and we are pleased to say that an increase of nine tons is shown for this year over last and further that each shop has participated in the increase, the lowest being 2 per cent and the highest 14 per cent. A greater trade can of course be done and it remains for those who have not yet supported this department to do so at once. MILK DEPARTMENT. We are pleased to report good sales for this department during the last half year. As you all know, the more members we serve the longer it takes our deliverers to finish their rounds. Consequently, it is later when some members receive their milk. This, we must confess, is a great inconvenience, especially when it is too late for making dinners. This matter has had our serious attention for some time, and arrangements have been made for an extra round to commence as soon as possible. These arrangements have had to be postponed for a considerable time, owing to illness and holidays. We can assure you, however, that everything possible will be done so that members can receive their milk earlier. Rounds have been reorganised so that the new round can commence on Monday, November 7th, unless anything unforeseen occurs. By this method we are hoping that all members will have received their milk by 11a.m. or, at the very latest, 11-30a.m. It will also be an inducement for members who do not support us for milk to give us their trade. We want all members to support this department as we are confident we can give satisfaction, also, think of the benefits derived from trading with this department; one pint of milk a day for twelve months costs £4.11s.3d., on which you receive a dividend of 2s. in the £, or 9s.1½d. — 9s.1½d. will provided you with 36½ pints of milk. Jnst think it over and let our deliverer call at once, so helping yourself to the extra benefits the society gives. May we also ask our members who are already taking our milk to return all empty bottles as soon as possible? Also, it will help the deliverer if empties are ready when he calls. By doing so it will save time and enable them to serve the other members sooner. Again, we appeal to all to give the society all the help you can both in trade and conveniency. FRUIT. Once again, we are in the fortunate position to offer our members first-class fruit at most reason-able prices. Thanks to the Co-operative Wholesale Society for purchasing such fine fruit we shall be able to supply all our members with their requirements. Our Valencia raisins are of splendid quality, in fact it has been some years since we have had such fine fruit and the prices are very reasonable. Our prices are 7d. and 9d. per lb. Also, our seedless are only 9d. per lb. These are far superior to our last year's fruit—they are up to their name this year—"Seedless." Give them a trial and see for yourself. Our sultanas are also of exceptionally fine quality and very much cheaper than they have been during the last few years, namely 8d. and 10d. per lb. The 10d. line is equal to if not better than some retailed at 1s. per lb. Again, we ask you to give us a trial order. Our currants are of finest quality. We believe in getting as good a quality as possible. The price is a secondary consideration. There is nothing worse than poor currants for any domestic cooking. See our windows for all kinds of fruit for the festive season. We are anxious to give you satisfaction in all peels. We have several kinds for you to choose from. We have mixed in ½lb. and 1lb. boxes. Also we have lemon, orange and citron, all of good quality. We can recommend our mincemeat and plum puddings to those members who prefer to buy them. They are made at the Reading and Acton works of the C.W.S. and contain the finest ingredients it is possible to obtain. Please bear this in mind when the opportune time arrives. Our cherries are also another line to be proud of. The quality is second to none. Ground almonds and icing sugar will be reasonable in price and of good quality. We shall also have some fine quality piping icing sugar. This will not cake together; it always remains in powder form. This should be tried by every member. The price will be 7½d. per Ib. Give it a trial. PORRIDGE. At this time of the year most people commence to eat porridge and we are anxious for you to have the best obtainable. As you all know, vour society stocks several kinds of oats, both English and foreign. Now we are making a special appeal to all our members to buy British and insist upon getting British. We are confident you do not want us to support foreign manufacturers' goods when it is possible to have British and especially when our own are better and cheaper than the foreign. For instance, when you require another packet of oats ask at the store for Cremo. These are well known all over the country. By asking for them you are supporting British labour, and apart from that you receive full weight of oats, without the box. This cannot be said of another well-known brand. Why buy the box instead of the food, in these hard times? Just think it over! We think you ought to consider seriously buving British oats. We are hoping the time is not far distant when we can discontinue selling foreign oats and sell no other but British. It is entirely up to our members to help us to do this. Again, may we appeal to all to help us in the matter, and to help British labour and capital? LUTON COCOA. During November we shall be holding at all our shops a special cocoa fortnight. This will be a special fortnight to induce our members to support the Luton works. Our sales of this commodity ought to increase tenfold. These works are worthy of all co-operative members' support. As we all know unless co-operative members purchase C.W.S. cocoa there is no other outlet for their productions. Shop windows will be dressed with Luton cocoas, &c., for this fortnight and we appeal to all members to give us their trade for cocoa, &c. (during this period at least), and prove for yourself that C.W.S. cocoa is all that is guaranteed, and equal to any on the market. Again, please help to make this a great success. A WORD TO GARDENERS. Again the society has booked a considerable quantity of Scotch seed potatoes. Prices this year will be very low compared with last year's and member's will have the advantage of such. We cannot give definite prices yet but you can rest assured our prices will be as low as possible based upon the booked price. As soon as the prices are issued we strongly advise all our members to place their orders early, and have advantage of the low prices. It is the opinion of a good many that prices will advance later in the season on account of so many potatoes being of poor keeping qualities.

December 1932

RUSHDEN Industrial Co-operative Society Limited.

The Committee, Officials and Employees extend to all members Best Wishes for a Happy Christmas.

Local Notes and Notices.

CONTRIBUTIONS to share and loan capital must be paid by December 11th to secure three months' interest at the end of the half year March 11th 1933.

WITHDRAWALS - Members are advised that payments will not be made to any person other than the share or loan holder unless the secretary is given written authority to do so.

SAVINGS BANK.
There are still a number of deposit books in our possession which we shall be glad if the persons concerned would call for.

We have also a number of accounts which exceed the statutory limit of £20 and it is imperative that the depositors concerned should withdraw the amount in excess. If it applies to you please give the same attention without further delay. We must comply with the law.

CALENDARS.
We are not having the usual sheet almanac but a very nice card calendar which we believe will be more acceptable. The usual information is given but in more compact form and should be easily followed.

The calendars will be issued during this month and as they are more expensive than almanacs we hope they will be taken care of.

The number is of course limited and early application is necessary.

NEW HOUSES, BEDFORD ROAD.
Two more houses are in course of erection. They will be a little larger than the previous two and the frontage has also been altered.

These differences will be pointed out to anyone who is interested and would like to inspect the plans at our offices.

The prices are of course higher. One which has the same area of land as the others will be £650, and the other which has an additional frontage of four feet will be £660, both inclusive of legal expenses.

PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS.
The attention of members is drawn to the necessity for paying all accounts in the same week as the goods are supplied.

This applies to grocery, butchery, drapery, bread and milk.

Bespoke orders in outfitting must be paid for in the week following delivery and this applies to furniture and coal.

Mortgage repayments are due on the first of each month.

Hire purchase payments must be kept up in strict accordance with the arrangement agreed upon.

Mutuality club collections are due weekly.

Please comply with these conditions and thus prevent any unpleasantness which may arise if drastic action is taken to secure payment.

It is to the interest of the society generally that this reminder is given.

MUTUALITY CLUB.
Members are advised that when they wish to make a purchase through the above club in the drapery, outfitting, furnishing and hardware departments the assistant should be so informed and the necessary vouchers handed over. In the case of coal, vouchers must accompany the order.'

REDUCTION IN INTEREST.
The committee's recommendation "that interest on members' share capital be reduced from 4½ per cent per annum to 4 per cent per annum as from March 1933," was agreed to at the last quarterly meeting.

This does not mean that the interest calculated at the end of this half year which is March llth will be at the new rate. The new rate will first be calculated on the half year March to September, 1933.

In view of the above the committee have decided to reduce from the same date the rate of interest on loan capital from 4J per cent to 3| per cent per annum.

The interest on savings bank claims may be reduced but a definite decision on this point will be arrived at later.

NEW SHOPS BIRCHALL ROAD.
We expect to open these shops the first week in the New Year, but a special announcement will be made later.

Members in this district are asked to give full support to both departments and to kindly comply with methods and conditions which will be necessary.

OLD PEOPLE'S TEA AND SOCIAL.
This annual event will take place on Friday, January 6th, 1933.

The tea will again be held in the Independent Wesleyan Schools, Queen Street, to be followed by a concert in the Co-operative Hall.

All members of the age of 65 and their wives or husbands are entitled to be present and if an invitation is not received by Saturday, December 24th, the secretary should be notified.

Please note the date, Friday, January 6th.

CHRISTMAS CLOSING ARRANGEMENTS.
The grocery, drapery, outfitting and furnishing departments will remain open on the Thursday afternoon before Christmas. The drapery and outfitting departments will also be open until 9 p.m. on Friday and 8-30 on Christmas Eve.

All these departments and the offices will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, December 26th and 27th.

Butchery shops will be closed on Monday, December 26th and open Tuesday and Wednesday December 27th and 28th, from 8 a.m. to 12-30 p.m. only.

Fried fish shops will be closed on Monday, December 26th and Wednesday Dec. 28th.

Bread will not be delivered on Monday, December 26th and Wednesday, Dec. 28th.

Drapery and Outfitting Departments.

BE OF GOOD CHEER AND SUPPORT THE ABOVE DEPARTMENTS
FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS.

We have a good selection of children's toys and annuals for all ages; for the ladies, scents and handbags which are at competitive prices. Also we hold a splendid range of fancy linens, including bedspreads and eiderdowns.

In our hosiery department we are it for quality in gloves, hose and silk underwear.

Our outfitting department is well equipped for men and sons of men in ties, gloves, caps and scarfs.

Why go elsewhere when you can get civility and satisfaction from your own store?

Furnishing Department. HIGHAM ROAD.
FELLOW MEMBERS—Space does not permit us to describe here all the good things we stock in our furnishing, carpet and hardware departments, but we have space enough to extend to you an open invitation to visit us and see for yourselves just how much it is to your advantage to furnish entirely at your own store.

Estimates are given free for any work you may call upon us to do. No order is too small and none so large that it does not receive the same exacting attention, and the undersigned is always at your service to help and advise you.

We offer you furniture and furnishings of quality better than ever offered before, and our comprehensive system of deferred terms is entirely at your disposal to take advantage of.

Why not call to-day and see what you can get for the home comforts at your own store? Yours sincerely,

C. HANNAFORD,
Furnishing Manager.
Grocery Department.

Call and inspect our range of Christmas crackers. We have attractive boxes from 6½d. each. They are of very fine value and very decorative. We also have our usual range of Christmas stockings at the usual attractive prices and good value.

Have you tried our mincemeat ? We have No. 1 size at 7½d., No. 2 size at 1s.2d. and No. 6 at 3s.6d., 1 pint jelly moulds, 1s.5½d. each. These prices are most reasonable. The ingredients are the finest obtainable, and if you do not make your own, try C.W.S. this Christmas. Our plum puddings too, are worthy of note. They are of very fine flavour, and attractively packed.

Place you orders for pork pies as soon as you can. We make any size to order from 1lb. upwards. These need no recommendation as the sales are increasing every week.

We are anticipating a heavy demand for our finest Danish gammons, so we advise you to place your orders early. We will endeavour to meet your requirements, whether it be for part or a whole one. If you wish, we will bone and roll your gammon for 1s.; this will relieve you of anxiety and the trouble of cooking it yourself. Try us, and you will be more than satisfied.

Our iced cakes, made at our bakery will be equal to any in the town for quality and price, and we would advise you to place your orders at any of the grocery branches or at the confectionery department, High Street, as soon as possible.

Have you seen our very fine range of fancy tins of tea, ½lb. from 1s.7d., 1lb. from 2s.9d.? The tea is of good quality, and they make very suitable presents. We also have decorated tins of biscuits, which are also suitable for presents. Our range of cigars, whiffs, cigarettes and tobaccos packed in fancy tins and boxes to suit all, is of our usual high standard. Also, inspect our extensive range of boxes of chocolates and toffees, you will be delighted with the wide choice. We have already met with huge success with this range of chocolates, You cannot do better than support your own society.

We also have a good stock of icing sugar, piping icing sugar, ground almonds (loose and in 1lb. and ½lb. tins), glace cherries in 2oz., 4oz. and 8oz. cartons, lemon, orange and citron peels, mixed, in ½lb. and 1lb. boxes. We also have a good range of nuts, oranges, grapes, drums of dessert, confections, sweets, &c.

WEETABIX.
We are now stocking this 100 per cent British food in all our shops. It is made in the heart of our own county, at Burton Latimer, and is a very nourishing and palatable food. Weetabix is the whole of the wheat. This whole wheat biscuit can form part of every meal every day of the year. It takes the place of a breakfast cereal and of bread, and brings convenience, economy and better food values. The ways in which Weetabix can be eaten are so innumerable that womenfolk are finding in this whole wheat cereal biscuit the solution of no end of problems connected with the preparation of meals.

Weetabix retains all the vital food elements of the wheat, namely : the mineral salts, proteins, carbohydrates, and particularly the vitamins so essential to life and vigorous growth. Weetabix is most palatable and easily digested. By a special process the wheat is thoroughly dextrinised to ensure easy digestion. The flakes are deliciously flavoured and toasted an appetising brown—ready to eat. They are packed in two sizes, 6d. and 10d. per packet. Try a packet to-day.

Milk Department.
We have pleasure in reporting an increase in our sales of milk, especially since the reorganisation of the rounds. We hope all members will appreciate our action, and the fact that the milk is being delivered much earlier should enable every member to purchase co-operative milk. Our price is right and the quality is second to none. It is perfectly clean. We trust our members will now support this department as all milk is now delivered by 11-30a.m., and we are out to give entire satisfaction in all directions. If you have not been taking our milk we shall be pleased if you will hand in your name and address at your nearest store and our deliverer will call on you next day.

Again, we appeal to all members to support this department and we are sure you will be satisfied with the service our deliverers give. Start to-morrow.

Butchery Department.
The festive season will soon be upon us and our butchery department will again be able to serve you with choice fed beef, pork and mutton, also choice turkeys, geese, ducks and fowls. We trust we shall again receive good support from our members, who realise the good value we offer. Our Christmas meat and poultry will be as reasonable in price as possible, and our members can be assured that they will be offered the finest obtainable. Support your own society and obtain the best.

Women's Co-operative Guild. PROGRAMME.

Dec.	14.—	Paper by Mrs. E. Lee.
	21.—	Social evening. Refreshments.
	28.—	No meeting.
1933.
Jan.	4.—	An address by Mr. G. W. Coles, J.P., president of the society.

E. LEE, President.
E. KNIGHT, Secretary.

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