The new bakery erected by the Rushden Co-operative Society on a site adjacent to Newton-road and Park-road is now practically complete. Baking will be started there on Monday next, and on the following Saturday the formal opening will take place. The bakery will be in the charge of Mr. Raines, an expert at the business, who has won numerous prizes and certificates in baking and confectionery competitions, and he will have the assistance of a good staff of workers. Everything, from first to last, will be done on scientific lines, and there will be sufficient facilities provided and a staff adequate enough to cope with any demands which are made upon the society in the way of bread, cakes, confectionery, etc.

The Main Entrance

to the bakery is from Newton-road, with an additional entrance from Park-road by the 'Rushden Echo' printing office. All the flour which will be from the Co-operative mills and is guaranteed to be of the highest quality obtainable for the purpose required will, on its being brought into the premises, be lifted by a 2½ h.p. hoist up to the flour chamber. This is a light, airy room, admirably adapted to the purpose. Like the rest of the premises, it is fitted up with electric light, and all the motive power is electricity, the bakery being the first place in Rushden to be fitted up and served by the new Electric Lighting Co. for both light and power. In

The Flour Chamber

is a hopper leading into the bakery proper, which is situated on the floor beneath. The flour will be passed down this hopper and will find its way first into the sifter, where all the deleterious matter will be automatically removed. From the sifter, the flour falls into the kneading machine, the action of which is like that of a human hand in kneading. From the kneading machine the dough is cut automatically into lumps and transferred into the dough-dividing machine, which cuts up the dough into any size required and which will throw out 1,200 lumps of dough per hour, the gauge being alterable at will.

The Ovens

Three patent Telescocar steam-pipe drawplate ovens, each measuring 10ft 9ins by 5ft 9ins, with Lowfurn furnace, have been put in by Messrs. Werner, Pfleiderer, and Perkins, Ltd., of Peterborough. A fourth oven can be easily added, if it should be found necessary. In each of these ovens 280 loaves of bread can be baked in one batch: thus 840 loaves can be baked at one and the same time. Each oven is fitted with a temperature thermometer and a time-marker, which will indicate the time the bread was put into the oven and when it should be taken out, thus preventing the possibility of the bread bring taken out too soon or left in too long.

Adjoining the bake house proper is

The Cooling Chamber

A separate shelf is provided for each layer of loaves, which does away with the 'saddening' effect of piling one lot of cooling loaves on another. This cooling chamber will also be fitted up for the production of confectionery of a high order. The whole premises are compact, convenient, and up-to-date.

The kneading machine is a patent Viennara dough kneading machine, with a capacity up to one sack of flour (280lbs). The sifting of the flour is done by means of an improved Spiral Brush sifting machine. The improved water tempering and measuring tank has a capacity of 24 gallons. The Pointon loaf dough dividing machine, which, as stated, has an output up to 1200 pieces per hour, ranges in weight for pieces from 1lb 2oz to 2lb 6oz., at will.

The Rushden Echo, 31^st October 1913

Model Bakery At Rushden

Co-operative Society's New Enterprise
The Formal Opening

  If there is one thing above another which distinguishes a Rushden Co-operator, it is the spirit of thoroughness. Saturday's proceedings, in connection with the opening of the new model steam bakery, built by the Rushden Industrial Co-operative Society, and of which a full description has already appeared in our columns, were no exception to the rule.

  The committee had arranged a most attractive day's programme, and it is little to be wondered at that the members of the Rushden Society and delegates from neighbouring societies turned up in such goodly numbers to give fitting celebration to so important a day in the history of the co-operative movement in Rushden. The stores were closed from one until five o'clock to enable the assistants to attend the opening ceremony and the tea which followed.

  At two o'clock, representatives of the General Committee, Women's Co-operative Guild, employees, members, C.W.S. workers, and delegates from neighbouring societies assembled at the Railway bridge, and, headed by the Rushden Temperance Band, marched via High-street and Newton-road to the new bakery premises for the

Opening Ceremony

  Mr. C. Lingard (chairman of the Educational Committee) presided, supported by Messrs. G. W. Coles (chairman of the Committee of Management), J. T. Henson (C.W.S. Director), J. Hornsby, J. W. Crouch, W. Clark, F. Berrill, and Mrs. Webster (General Committee); Messrs. E. Freeman, F. W. Elsdon, C. J. Giles, and J. Wright (Educational Committee), W. J. Cure (secretary and manager), and the delegates. Following a selection by the Temperance Band and a collection on behalf of the sufferers in the Senghenydd colliery disaster, the Chairman, in opening the proceedings, said he tendered his heartfelt thanks to the committee for having asked him to preside on so important occasion. When the question of the erection of a new bakery first came before the general committee, he was one of the sub-committee appointed to go into the matter and he believed he was the only one left. When the committee first considered the erection of a new bakery so that that branch of the society's work might be centralised, they came in for a good deal of criticism, much of it adverse. The success of the bakery department's new quarters would be the best answer to such criticism. In bringing about such a result he was not going to appeal to the loyalty but to the reasonableness of every member of the society. Let them make the new bakery a success because it belonged to them (applause) and if anyone desired to criticise let him do so at the quarterly meeting, when members' suggestions would receive the consideration of the committee.

  Mr. Coles (president) then gave some interesting facts and figures regarding

The Progress of The Society

during the past ten years. In 1903, he said, the drapery department was in High-street south and was doing a trade of £2,000 per annum. In the latter part of that year it was removed to its present premises in High-street and has now a trade of £8,000 per annum. The land, buildings, and fixtures cost £5,134, and stand in the balance to-day at £2,787. In 1905 No. 4 store was removed from rented premises in Harborough-road to their own premises in Park-road, where the trade is now £2,500 per annum. The building cost £602 and stands in the balance-sheet to-day at £483. In that year they also purchased four coal wagons for £231, which by depreciation were now quoted in the balance-sheet at £9. In 1906 three cottages adjoining their Queen-street premises came into the market, and these were purchased by the society for £570, the value now being quoted in the balance-sheet as £458. Some land and buildings were purchased in Newton-road for £528, and in 1911 the present stables were built on the site at a cost of £819, the whole standing in the balance-sheet to-day at a valuation of £1,200. In 1908 the society purchased a farm on the Bedford-road for £2,041, the present assessment of which was £1,845. Also in that year considerable internal alterations were made in the High-street South premises of great benefit to the grocery department, and a provision shop was opened in rented premises in High-street and was soon doing a trade of £1,800 to £1,900 per annum. In 1911 this department was removed to the present premises adjoining the drapery department, and is now doing a trade of £3,000 per annum. The block of buildings used by the drapery department provided accommodation for office staff and committee and cost £2,409, and was quoted in the balance-sheet of to-day at £2,289.

Dean, Podington, etc.

  In 1909 a country round was commenced for Dean and surrounding villages, and the present trade is now £800 per annum. In 1910 a store was opened in rented premises at Podington, and is now doing a trade of £1,700 to £2,000 per annum. Other extensive internal alterations had taken place from time to time, mainly in the drapery and No. 2 grocery departments. The original cost of the society's land and buildings was £21,794 and now stood on the balance-sheet at £14,611. The society's members numbered 2,200, employees 67, and they had a trade of £55,000 per annum. They had had success all along the line, and he hoped similar success would attend the new model bakery. (Applause.) He asked every member of the society to give the products of the new bakery a fair trial.

  Mr. J. T. Henson (C.W.S. director), Birmingham, said that coming into a town such as Rushden, and seeing such a large number of co-operators assembled to celebrate the result of their enterprise, it was an encouragement to such as he who had to work for the forward movement of Co-operativism. That evidence of communal wealth ought to send a glow of pride through every member of that institution and encourage them to persevere. He could not help but realize that progress did not take place spontaneously. It represented a vast amount of work on the part of somebody. He could recall the time when workers were in a very different position from that which they now occupied. When they looked back at the work of the pioneers of the co-operative movement, full of troubles and trials and

Bitter Opposition

they ought to feel thankful that their lot had fallen in easier places. The progress of the movement had been slow, and properly so. (Applause.) Every step forward had had to be carefully considered. They had added gradually to their possessions, and had grown gradually, being therefore all the safer. (Applause.) The greatest asset of the movement was not bricks and mortar, although they were valuable. No society could possibly have attained their present position without it having resulted in the building up of human character. Besides strengthening character, their association one with another had had a humanising influence. The men and women who inaugurated the movement had given their lives and periods of leisure for the good of the cause, and they of to-day were reaping the benefit. Present-day Co-operators should follow in the footsteps of these pioneers and endeavour to make the world a little better for those who would come after them. The centralization of labour as would be effected by the erection of those new premises showed that they had men of business at the head of their affairs. If any of them wished to become members of a joint stock company after its inauguration they would have to pay more for the shares, but in the co-operative movement nothing of the kind prevailed. They considered all brothers and said "Come in with us and share our advantages." They had set up their bakery and he hoped they were going to

Bake C.W.S Flour

that was as it should be. The C.W.S. had some of the biggest factories in the world, and each Rushden co-operator was as much a shareholder in the C.W.S. as was the society to which he belonged. The profits thus came back to the consumer. Co-operation ought to be one cycle in itself – to grow and grind the corn, bake the flour, and distribute the bread. (Applause.) A good and well managed bakery was in most instances the mainstay of a society, for it usually returned better profits than any other department, and consequently larger dividends resulted. He appealed not only to the reason of the members, but also to their loyalty. (Applause.)

  Mr. Lingard expressed regret at the absence of Mr. Harris, the architect, whom they had expected would be present to perform a pleasing duty, but who had been prevented from carrying out his intention, owing to family bereavement. Fortunately, in co-operation was a cure for everything, and he would ask Mr. Cure to take his place. (Laughter.)

  Mr. Cure said that not only would co-operative flour be used in the bakery, but the whole building has been designed and built under co-operative supervision, viz., by Mr. Harris, the chief architect to the C.W.S. The Rushden committee had gone a step further and had arranged that the concert to take place that evening was to be provided by the London branch of the C.W.S. On an occasion such as that it was customary for the chief officer of the society to receive some slight recognition of his work in connection with the erection of the new building. He therefore had pleasure in presenting to Mr. Coles, on behalf of the architects department of the C.W.S., a key in a case as

A Souvenir

of the opening of the new model bakery. The key was inscribed "Presented to Mr. G. W. Coles, president of the Rushden Co-operative Society, Ltd., by the architects' department of the C.W.S. Ltd., on the occasion of the opening of the new bakery, Newton-road, Rushden, Oct, 25^th, 1913".

  Mr. Coles briefly acknowledged the gift, saying that he would always treasure it. He declared the bakery open.

  The members and visitors then made an inspection of the new premises under the direction of Mr. Cure, and tea was subsequently served in the society's hall and in the Public Hall, the delegates being entertained in the B.W.T.A. Hall. Those who sat down to the tables numbered well over 800.

  After tea at the B.W.T.A. Hall, Mr. Hornsby, an ex-president of the Rushden Society, welcomed the visitors, and said that functions of that nature helped them to understand one another better. (Applause.) The more they could get together and spread the principle of Co-operation the better it would be for the movement. (Applause.)

  Mr. T. Panther (president of the Kettering branch) expressed thanks to the Rushden friends for their splendid hospitality. They in that district looked upon Rushden as one of the most progressive societies in the county. (Applause.)

  Mr. Clayson (Wellingborough) congratulated the Rushden committee upon the signs of progress, as evidenced by the proceedings that day.

  Mr. Will Rogers (president of the Northampton branch) added his felicitations. A bakery, he said should not always be judged by its size but by the appliances put in for the comfort of its workpeople and the hygienic production of bread. A building put up and subsidised by working men tended to make the working man believe in his own independence. He was one of those who believed that

The Working Classes

when educated would prove to the world that there was no class outside their own that could perform any function that the working man could not perform for himself. (Applause.)

  Mr. Meadows (Finedon), one of the oldest co-operators in the county and formerly a member of the central board, who was accorded an enthusiastic reception, said that 40 or 45 years ago co-operation met with great difficulty, not only in securing new members, but in buying goods to retail to their members. When they looked back to the day of small beginnings one was surprised to see what co-operativism had resulted in. he was a great believer in slow growths. The advocacy of co-operativism could not be clearly explained without showing its monetary advantages, but he had been pleased to hear Mr. Henson refer to its influence in the moulding of character.

  Mr. Marlow (Desborough) also spoke, and moved a vote of thanks to the Rushden friends for their hospitality, which was enthusiastically carried.

  Mr. Cure, in response, said he felt that the Rushden society had entered upon a period of greater success than that which had attended it in the past. The bread already produced at the new bakery had told its tale upon the members and their trade was increasing day by day. (Applause.)

  Mr. Will Rogers said that many of them were very interested in a poor fellow who at that moment was lying in gaol. He referred to Driver Caudle, who had been sentenced to two months' imprisonment. He did not intend to discuss the justice or injustice of the sentence, but he was concerned for the man’s wife and family, who would be suffering during Caudle's incarceration. Caudle would return to his family with

The Gaol Stigma

upon him. He, the speaker, would even go so far as to say that perhaps Caudle made a mistake, but if everyone who made mistakes was sent to prison there would not be many at liberty. (Hear, hear.) He moved:

“That this conference of co-operative delegates write to the Home Secretary asking him to give immediate consideration to the harsh treatment meted out to Driver Caudle and to use every means in his power to release the unfortunate man at the earliest possible moment.”

  This proposition was also put before the assemblies at the other halls and carried unanimously, Mr. Cure being asked to forward it to the Home Secretary.

A fitting and much-appreciated finale to the day’s proceedings was a concert given in the Public Hall to an audience of 700 to 800 people by a concert party from the London C.W.S. The members of the party proved themselves competent artistes, and practically every item of the programme, which was as follows, was encored:- Pianoforte solo, Overture to Zamps, Mr. Thomas Stokes; chorus, Cheero, The Party; song, The floral dance, Mr. F. Claude Thorogood; comedy song, No little boy to love me, Miss Edith Williams; humorous duet, The Twins, Messrs. Bert Haylock and F. C. Thorogood; song, II Bacio, Madame Rose Sallaway; humorous song, Ragtime yokel, Mr. Bert Haylock; duet, Farewell to summer, Madame Sallaway and Miss Williams; pianoforte solo, Au Rouet, Mr. Stokes; chorus, Four jolly sailormen, The Party; song, The valley of laughter, Madame Sallaway; humorous duet, Take me up with you, Miss Williams and Mr. Haylock; song, Shipmates o’ mine, Mr. Thorogood; humorous song, Maggie frae Dundee, Mr. Haylock; comedy song, Creep a little closer, Miss Williams; humorous duet, Spring cleaning, Madame Sallaway and Mr. Thorogood.

During the interval Mr. Henson, of the C.W.S. delivered a speech, in which he advocated Co-operative principles.

Mr. Cure also spoke, giving a detailed account of the working of the machinery at the new bakery, a description of which appeared recently in the “Rushden Echo.”