Supper and Social at Rushden

Co-operative Employees Entertained

At the invitation of the committee of the Rushden Co-operative Society, the employees and their friends enjoyed their annual supper and social last night at the Co-operative Hall. A first-class supper was served and full justice was done to it. Mr J Hornsby presided, and was supported by the following members of the committee:- Messrs G. French, W Clarke, J Drage, F W Elsdon, W Hobbs, J W Crouch, and G Coles, with Mr W J Cure (secretary).

Mr Cure, after supper, proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the committee for their kind invitation. It was pleasant to be able to break away from the cares of business for a time. It was surprising what an amount of labour was involved in a business like theirs. Last year, by the daily efforts of all concerned, the trade had reached nearly £41,000. (Applause.) They continued to progress, and the trade for the first six weeks of this year showed an increase of £412 over that of last year. During 1907, they received 24 tons of bacon, 6½ tons of tea, over 40,000lbs. of butter, about a ton of tobacco—all ending in smoke(laughter)—nearly 5000 bags of flour and offals, 3530 tons of coal, 146 tons of sugar, besides enormous quantities of lard, cheese, jams and soap. That would give them

An idea of The Work

that had to be done. He had intended to give particulars dealt with at the butchers’ shops with the number of the pigs killed and the number of their squeals when killed but they had not time. (Laughter.) This year they were aiming at a trade of £50,000, and if each employee and member realised his responsibility there was no reason why they should not reach it. (Applause.)

Mr T E Wigginton, assistant secretary, seconded the motion. He compared the conditions of employment in 1900 and 1907, and said that not only had the average in wages increased but many little privileges and concessions had been granted. One striking feature in connection with the Rushden society was the sociability of the committee with the employees. (Cheers.) Some committees regarded themselves as masters and the employees as servants, but the Rushden committee looked upon and treated the employees as fellow workers in the same cause. (Applause.) That the employees recognised this was shown by their efforts to raise the standard of efficiency. There were seven employees who held certificates and eleven more were taking subjects for which they hoped to get certificates. (Applause.)

Mr I Haigh supported the motion on behalf of the drapery department, and said that department would do its little bit.

To Make the Society More Prosperous.

(Applause.)

Mr W H Marriott voiced the thanks of the grocery departments, and said the grocery departments were going to do what they could to reach that £50,000. (Applause.)

Mr W Jeacock supported the motion on behalf of the butchers.

Mr S Coot, speaking for the bakers expressed the hope that trade would increase till they had two annual suppers like that in a year. (Laughter.)

Mr J Hilton supported on behalf of the coal department.

Mr C Giles representing the Education Committee and the Orchestral Band, bespoke everyone’s support for his committee who had no light task at times. He specially complimented Mr Firth and his friends on the excellent dramatic performance given at the beginning of the week.

The motion was heartily carried.

Mr J Hornsby responding on behalf of the committee, said it gave them great pleasure to meet the employees. He believed every employee had done his level best in reaching their

Splendid Record of Last Year.

The Education Committee, too, had done good work and he was quite sure that work had been appreciated. (Applause.) They were all glad to welcome as visitors some of the former employees, who were now holding good positions in other societies. The only new venture they had at Rushden during the past twelve months had been the provision store and he was glad to say that had turned out a great success. (Applause.) He hoped they would all spend a thoroughly enjoyable evening. (Applause.)

A very pleasant social followed. Dancing was indulged in, and songs, instrumental solos &c., were given by Miss H Wood, Miss Holyoake, Messrs. C Tew, W Colton, T E Wigginton, I Haigh, G Coles, F W Elsdon, G W Button, J Underwood, J W Crouch and S Bierton.

Several interesting competitions took place. A ‘Limerick’ competition was won by Mrs Wright, Mr W Hobbs and Mr C Neal taking second and third prizes respectively. In a candle-lighting competition for ladies, the winners were:- 1 Mrs Harlow, 2 Mrs Hornsby, 3 Mrs Coles. An orange-eating contest for youths created both astonishment and uproarious merriment. Bob Wright was easily first, with E Tansey second. Messrs Bierton and Hankins tied for prizes in a cigarette-smoking competition. There was also a tug-of-war for ladies and another set-to for gentlemen. Refreshments were handed round during the evening and a thoroughly enjoyable time was spent.

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