Co-operative Fortnight 2010
Somerset Branch:
- held a small but successful Wine & Cheese Tasting Event at Albemarle Centre, Albemarle Road, Taunton on Tue 22 June 2010.
Our event was part of the first ever Co-operatives Fortnight, which ran from 19 June to 3 July, to celebrate what makes a co-operative different. Like many parts of the co-operative movement across the UK, we demonstrated the difference being a co-operative makes to our employees, customers and the community.
Facts and figures: Co-operatives in the South West - the total turnover is £2,339,986,651; total employees - 13,506 working across 356 organisations.
This event was put on at short notice after decision at our AGM on 25th May and we were extremely lucky to get at short notice (to whom the branch officers are most grateful) a guest speaker in the form of Chris Herries (among her many positions she is a Director on Co-operative Group Board and sits on Board of Co-operative’s UK). Chris gave a short but most illuminating talk on background to the whole concept behind the fortnight as it came from her proposal tabled at last years Co-operatives UK Congress and was supported overwhelmingly about the need for a special designated event to promote the Movement’s aims and achievements to the wider public.
Apart from letting all who wanted to attend, taste some fine Co-op Fairtrade wines and cheese, we were hoping to use it as a way to increase Branch membership and in this aim we succeed by recruiting one new member.
This was a successful first event in what will be a stepping stone to an annual event in the calendar along with Fairtrade Fortnight.
Exeter & District Branch:
Tony Badcock, Exeter City Football Supporters Club, spoke on Exeter City football Club – Exeter’s best kept co-operative secret - run by the fans, for the fans. Held at Exeter Labour Hall, 26B Clifton Hill, Exeter on Mon 21 Jun 2010.