Rochdale raise flag to past and future

The home to the Rochdale pioneers raised a flag to co-operation to mark the 80th International Day of Co-operatives on July 7.  

The home to the Rochdale pioneers raised a flag to co-operation to mark the 80th International Day of Co-operatives on July 7.

The Mayor, Councillor James Gartside, raised the ICA flag outside the Rochdale Town Hall to salute the men whose principles sparked a worldwide movement of around 800 million people.

The Mayor said: “Our status as the birth place of the Co-operative Movement is a very proud part of our history and it’s great to see the flag flying outside the town hall.
 
“We have led the world in showing the value of working together and the principles laid down by the Rochdale Pioneers in 1834 have gone on to benefit millions of people.”

People were given the chance to visit key co-operative landmarks such as the newly restored Pioneers Museum on Toad Lane, where the original Rochdale Pioneers shop still stands.

Joining the Mayor was the Mayoress, Councillor Jane Gartside; Sana Khan, Member of the UK Youth Parliament for the Borough of Rochdale and Lewis Threlfall, Children’s Champion for the Borough of Rochdale.

In further celebrations, Bowlee Nursery has recreated the 2012 International Year of Co-operatives symbol in the flowerbeds outside Touchstones.

Councillor Colin Lambert, Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “The International Day of Co-operatives provides a chance to both honour our past and look to the future.
 
“Schemes such as the award-winning Community Champions project and the creation of the country’s largest housing mutual show how co-operation is continuing to enrich the lives of our borough’s residents.” 

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