East of England Co-operative Society History
The East of England Co-operative Society was formed in October 2005 by the Merger of the Ipswich and Norwich Co-operative Society and the Colchester and East Essex Co-operative Society.
Both former Societies can trace their origins back more than 130 years to the 19th Century.
Ipswich Society
Early attempts to get a Co-operative Society going in Ipswich started in the 1840s, with a small shop at 34 Carr Street. A little later in 1858 another attempt was made, and the shop stayed open for around five years.
It wasn’t until 1867 that the successful start was made. George Hines, a local man who was born in Tattingstone and raised in Ipswich, took the initiative. After returning from the Crimean War, he worked for the Great Eastern Railway, before moving on to become the Secretary of a boot manufacturing company. This company was owned by Frederick Bugg, a successful businessman, who was known as a champion of the interests of working people in the town, who would become the first President of the Ipswich Society. Jeffrey Snelling, a printer, was the first Secretary from 1868 to 1869, followed by George Hines from 1869-1873.
The rules of the Society were drawn up and on 3rd March 1868 the Ipswich Industrial Co-operative Society was registered with the Registrar of Friendly Societies, the date which marks the formal beginning of the Society. And it was over a year later, on 25th March 1869, that the Society opened its first shop at 34 Carr Street, Ipswich.
The Ipswich Society over the years merger with a number of its smaller neighbours, following the timeline below:
Ipswich Industrial Co-operative Society founded February 1868
Hadleigh Co-operative Society 1886-1887
Walton Co-operative Society 1869-1911
Wickham Market Co-operative Society 1887-1921
Woodbridge failed - neighbouring societies reimbursed its members
Ipswich Co-operative Society November 1968 (Name Change)
Halstead Co-operative Society March 1970 (merger)
Stowmarket Co-operative Society December 1982 (merger)
Leiston Co-operative Society March 1984 (merger – Aldeburgh joined Leiston)
Norwich Co-operative Society March 1993
Norwich Society
The Norwich Society had a similar tale to tell; a Co-operative Society had been set up in 1858, but had sadly failed. It was in 1874 that a fresh start was attempted, and in 1876 they found a suitable shop in Goat Lane, before moving three years later to Pottergate Street, Norwich.
A significant figure in the early history of the Norwich Society was J.T. Gee, who moved through unpaid offices as Education Secretary, Committee Member, Treasurer, Auditor, Chairman and Secretary. He was appointed permanent Secretary in 1884 and eventually retired as General Manager in 1922.
Norwich established 1875, over the years the following societies were absorbed:
Wymondham, including Attleborough, joined Norwich 1923
Cromer and Melton Constable merged in 1930 - became North Norfolk
North Norfolk joined Norwich 17th March 1933
Sheringham
Great Yarmouth est. 1888, joined Norwich 16th June 1971
Colchester and East Essex Co-operative Society
On 13th May 1861 a general meeting was held in Colchester of interested persons, to draw up the rules for a Colchester Co-operative Society. A committee of 28 was formed, and by August 9th a special meeting of members was held in Culver Street, to mark the official opening of the first shop.
The first store was originally open for sale of bread and flour, later other items such as butter, sugar, cheese, soap and starch, blues, backing, black lead and mustard were offered for sale.
The first balance sheet showed sales of £429, assets of nearly £89, and the dividend was declared at 1/- (5p) in the pound on Members’ purchases.
From these humble beginnings, the Colchester and East Essex Society also merged with a number of smaller Societies:
Tiptree Self Help – November 1921
Clacton Co-operative Society – April 1931
Coggeshall Heart in Hand Society – November 1945
Harwich and Dovercourt and Parkeston Society - March 1967
Maldon Society – November 1967
Witham Society – June 1970
Earls Colne Society – August 1970
