Ballots went out last week to Coop members for them to elect four members of the local group of 16 people who run the coops in this area which stretches from Lancaster to Barrow to Kendal, thus including Ulverston. One is elected for a period of four years with elections every year at this time.
As you will see I am one of the six candidates.
I mentioned this to an acquaintance as I saw her coming out of our local Coop on Market Street and she said "Yes, and I voted for you"
I added "Well it will be hard work" to which she gave what I thought was a strange reply : "Why are you doing it then?"
"Why does one do anything?" was my reply.
The implication for me was that people didn't do or enjoy doing things that were hard work.
Surely we all find that the harder the work the more the satisfaction in achieving a goal, unless it's something we do against our better judgement.
I heard on television last night that someone started to run for fun at the age of 82 and has being running Marathons ever since- he's now over 100. How hard is that! In fact having a goal in life seems to be very important to those over 100 that were featured in the program.
Having 25 years ahead of me is a great way of looking forward to the rest of my life.
Hard work, here I come. - Now for a cup of tea in an armchair as I reflect on this thought!
If anybody who is a coop member would like to vote and has not received a voting pack they can get it from Lorna Andrews by giving their membership card number and address and it will be sent to them.
They will have until the end of July to vote.
Lorna Andrews
PA to Regional Secretary
5th Floor
New Century House
Corporation Street
Manchester
M60 4ES
Telephone: 0161 246 2345
Email: membership@co-operative.co.uk
You can read the eleven postings I have already made supporting the coop on this blog by following this link
Showing posts with label Coop. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coop. Show all posts
Tuesday, 10 July 2012
Wednesday, 23 May 2012
I'm one of six candidates for the board that runs my Coop
I am turning my energies to running my Coop organisation. I shall be one of the six candidates that have been nominated for Coop members to vote for in July.
Few of you may have realised that I actually own the Coop that I have used for most of my life.
That's why I have banked with the Coop, have my car insurance with the Coop and shop at the Coop.
Naturally because I own it - I use it!
And now , if elected, I shall run all the Coops in South Cumbria and North Lancashire - an area encompassing Barrow, Kendal, Lancashire and of course Ulverston.
Anyone reading this blog won't be surprised that I'm doing this as I naturally been very biased in favour of my company when it came to Tesco invading our territory here in Ulverston.
Press the Coop link to see what I've had to say in the past to see that I'm being entirely consistant:
http://geoffdellow.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Coop
Oh by the way - you also own my company too - if you are a Coop member : which is why you too receive dividends from the profits of my company - and will be invited to vote.
What all six candidates have to say about themselves will be available on line and I'll indicate where you can read this as soon as it's up!
Meanwhile you can alert all your Coop Member friends to the fact that there's an important election coming up in early July.
Now this election will really count as unlike the local elections we've just had, we in the Coop can decide to do what we want as we act totally independently of Government policy. This is why the Coop came into being when people in the community decided to set up shop for themselves.
See Wiki for more information:
To quote:
"The Co-operative Group has over 123,000 employees across the UK. The group has headquarters in Manchester on an eight-building complex which includes the CIS Tower.[8] The group will move to 1 Angel Square, its new £100m headquarters at NOMA, Manchester in 2012 - ahead of its 150th anniversary in 2013.[9]"
and elsewhere:
"The group's roots can be traced beyond the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers established 1844.[10] The eight Rochdale Principles included distributing a share of profits according to purchases that came to be known as 'the divi'. In 1863, the North of England Co-operative Wholesale Industrial and Provident Society Limited was launched in Manchester by 300 individual co-operatives in Yorkshire and Lancashire. By 1872, it was known as the Co-operative Wholesale Society (CWS). "
Few of you may have realised that I actually own the Coop that I have used for most of my life.
That's why I have banked with the Coop, have my car insurance with the Coop and shop at the Coop.
 |
| The Coop "CIS Tower" in Manchester which I own ! |
Naturally because I own it - I use it!
And now , if elected, I shall run all the Coops in South Cumbria and North Lancashire - an area encompassing Barrow, Kendal, Lancashire and of course Ulverston.
Anyone reading this blog won't be surprised that I'm doing this as I naturally been very biased in favour of my company when it came to Tesco invading our territory here in Ulverston.
Press the Coop link to see what I've had to say in the past to see that I'm being entirely consistant:
http://geoffdellow.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Coop
Oh by the way - you also own my company too - if you are a Coop member : which is why you too receive dividends from the profits of my company - and will be invited to vote.
What all six candidates have to say about themselves will be available on line and I'll indicate where you can read this as soon as it's up!
Meanwhile you can alert all your Coop Member friends to the fact that there's an important election coming up in early July.
Now this election will really count as unlike the local elections we've just had, we in the Coop can decide to do what we want as we act totally independently of Government policy. This is why the Coop came into being when people in the community decided to set up shop for themselves.
See Wiki for more information:
To quote:
"The Co-operative Group has over 123,000 employees across the UK. The group has headquarters in Manchester on an eight-building complex which includes the CIS Tower.[8] The group will move to 1 Angel Square, its new £100m headquarters at NOMA, Manchester in 2012 - ahead of its 150th anniversary in 2013.[9]"
and elsewhere:
"The group's roots can be traced beyond the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers established 1844.[10] The eight Rochdale Principles included distributing a share of profits according to purchases that came to be known as 'the divi'. In 1863, the North of England Co-operative Wholesale Industrial and Provident Society Limited was launched in Manchester by 300 individual co-operatives in Yorkshire and Lancashire. By 1872, it was known as the Co-operative Wholesale Society (CWS). "
Now that should give you all something to talk about !
Saturday, 18 December 2010
Tesco / Coop
Shopping yesterday
Both at approximately 11.00 am
Both at approximately 11.00 am
I wonder which is the most popular.
Are people voting with their feet . . . .
Having now checked out the products and the service on offer?
Should we be preparing for a Tesco pull out as the recession bites?
(You heard it here first!)
We'd better have some ideas of what to do with the Tesco space.
Anyone fancy a bouncy-castle play park?
I wonder where I got that idea.
Could someone put me down for one of the first bounces along with my three year old mates ?
Now wouldn't that be fun?
,
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Hugh of Riverside cottage - who battled with TESCO over chicken farms
Hugh's taken his anti-discard Fish Fight to Brussels . . .
He reports :
"For the past few months, I have been travelling around the UK meeting fishermen, marine conservationists, politicians, supermarkets bosses, and of course fish-eating members of the public.
You can find out all about my experience, and how it has changed the way I think about fish, in the Channel 4 series, Hugh’s Fish Fight, to be broadcast in January 2011."
You could also watch this video
It's worth comparing how Tesco compare with the Coop when you look at the fish in their stores
He reports :
"For the past few months, I have been travelling around the UK meeting fishermen, marine conservationists, politicians, supermarkets bosses, and of course fish-eating members of the public.
You can find out all about my experience, and how it has changed the way I think about fish, in the Channel 4 series, Hugh’s Fish Fight, to be broadcast in January 2011."
You could also watch this video
It's worth comparing how Tesco compare with the Coop when you look at the fish in their stores
Sunday, 22 November 2009
Cast your Tesco/Co-op vote here !
Here's a poll that someone has set up !
Which store do you love in Ulverston?
I thought we'd let this run for a month and then we could try another!
So you have till 21 12 2009
Then what?
Results and their interpretation no doubt.
A spot check tonight of both Tesco and the Co-op confirms the present figure on the poll. At 4.30pm tonight (Tuesday 24th) there were 9 people in the Co-op and 14 in Tesco.
Which store do you love in Ulverston?
I thought we'd let this run for a month and then we could try another!
So you have till 21 12 2009
Then what?
Results and their interpretation no doubt.
A spot check tonight of both Tesco and the Co-op confirms the present figure on the poll. At 4.30pm tonight (Tuesday 24th) there were 9 people in the Co-op and 14 in Tesco.
Thursday, 12 November 2009
Tesco suffering, The Co-op thriving.
Now that Ulverstonians have had time to take stock of the new store, many have realised it is a big disappointment.
The stock is limited. The prices are high. The service not brilliant.
What has been good is that the Co-op have had a shake up for the better and the atmosphere of helpfulness has improved to even higher levels than before.
So for the time being most people are happy. We have a major business learning the hard lesson that Ulverstonians are a canny lot. They quickly see through a bunch of crooks and appreciate the personal contact with people at the Co-op selling goods that are wholesome in most respects.
Other good local stores are thriving if they provide a genuine service and a wide variety of stock.
We should be looking done the road to planning what we will do when Tesco have learnt their lesson and decide to pull out and cut their losses.
The stock is limited. The prices are high. The service not brilliant.
What has been good is that the Co-op have had a shake up for the better and the atmosphere of helpfulness has improved to even higher levels than before.
So for the time being most people are happy. We have a major business learning the hard lesson that Ulverstonians are a canny lot. They quickly see through a bunch of crooks and appreciate the personal contact with people at the Co-op selling goods that are wholesome in most respects.
Other good local stores are thriving if they provide a genuine service and a wide variety of stock.
We should be looking done the road to planning what we will do when Tesco have learnt their lesson and decide to pull out and cut their losses.
Friday, 25 September 2009
Tesco
To clarify my position on Tesco being in Ulverston.
I welcome it being here.
I would have much prefered a different store such as Sainsbury or alternative use of the building but given the suddenness of the Woolworth vacancy it is an excellent choice of building and adds much to the Market Square.
I welcome it also because I hope that no one will shop there. The Coop is far to be preferred.
Let's hope that Tesco will get its fingers burnt and suffer a loss at this store and that local people will want to support all the alternative shops in Ulverston and avoid Tesco whenever they can.
Anyone that cares to look beneath the surface of what kind of organisation they have in their midst will feel the same. They are wolves dressed up in sheeps clothing see my links on Tesco
I welcome it being here.
I would have much prefered a different store such as Sainsbury or alternative use of the building but given the suddenness of the Woolworth vacancy it is an excellent choice of building and adds much to the Market Square.
I welcome it also because I hope that no one will shop there. The Coop is far to be preferred.
Let's hope that Tesco will get its fingers burnt and suffer a loss at this store and that local people will want to support all the alternative shops in Ulverston and avoid Tesco whenever they can.
Anyone that cares to look beneath the surface of what kind of organisation they have in their midst will feel the same. They are wolves dressed up in sheeps clothing see my links on Tesco
Sunday, 6 September 2009
Blackberries and Tesco
People justify their use of Tesco by saying they are near the bread line and have to shop as cheaply as possible.
If people are so strapped for cash - why are there so many blackberries in the hedgerows of highly frequented places? (Just returned from Chittery Lane, one of the main routes up Hoad)
This reinforces my provocative view that people who shop at Tesco are hypocrites. Nothing wrong with that - we're all hypocrites in one way or another - but Tesco shoppers won't like to admit it! They aren't that short of cash - they just go for the unthinking option when if they must buy their blackberries, there is the Coop down the road.
If people are so strapped for cash - why are there so many blackberries in the hedgerows of highly frequented places? (Just returned from Chittery Lane, one of the main routes up Hoad)
This reinforces my provocative view that people who shop at Tesco are hypocrites. Nothing wrong with that - we're all hypocrites in one way or another - but Tesco shoppers won't like to admit it! They aren't that short of cash - they just go for the unthinking option when if they must buy their blackberries, there is the Coop down the road.
Sunday, 26 July 2009
Why I won't shop at Tesco
Here is a repeat of my posting on Jan 27th:
Last night on Hugh Fearnley's TV program we heard about Tesco's disreputable labelling of its chicken products.
Today I read this on a packet of Tesco Express Chicken in Morecambe:
Below a photo of a man outside was the text:
One of our farmers Ernie Wheatley.
Ernie has been rearing chickens on his farm set on the edge of the Derbyshire Dales for over 20 years. He regularly checks his flocks as bird welfare is a priority. This helps him achieve the high standards required by Tesco and Independent Farm Assurance.
From this we can imagine an idyllic scene of happy chickens fluttering across a beautiful fell side.
The reality is this:
Clearly Tesco is misleading us and trying to lull us into a false sense of security.
On the evidence of this, would you not be asking questions about Tesco's humanity?
Or doesn't humanity matter when it comes to money?
Just watch this video and you'll quickly get the picture.
If you are concerned - go to the River Cottage site.
This has made me stop and think - something that I appreciate.
My reluctant conclusion on reflection is that if you shop at Tesco you are either a hypocrite or deliberately choose not to think about what you do. If you stopped and thought, you would compare the descriptions of the way chickens are reared in the Coop as well - there you would find that chickens are reared more humanely though personally I don't think even this standard is good enough. It's a question of how humans treat animals and what people feel is acceptable - at least the coop method is a step in the right direction.
Having read the information given above and still shop at Tesco then the inescapable conclusion is that " yes, you are a hypocrite".
To test this thought out:
I bet that if I had a flock of chickens in the market square and ran around kicking and mistreating them, bundling them forcibly into crates, then the above shoppers would be the first to shout at me for being so cruel.
If I stamped carelessly on "darling little robins" or as mentioned before kicked out at cats then these shoppers would immediately shout out in outrage.
In the above TV program it was only when a chicken shopper was willing to visit the sheds where they were grown that she decided that she would stop buying them a pay a small amount more for chickens that lived with a little more dignity. Up to that point she was being a hypocrite in having one set of standards but living by another.
Sadly many people don't like facing the truth that they often do act as hypocrites. Join the human race - you're no better than the rest of us.
Face up to it and like yourself for being honest with yourself.
Our country is filling up with people that are becoming depressed because deep down they don't like themselves and are very touchy about being told the truth.
Tesco shoppers : you're hypocrites.
Last night on Hugh Fearnley's TV program we heard about Tesco's disreputable labelling of its chicken products.
Today I read this on a packet of Tesco Express Chicken in Morecambe:
Below a photo of a man outside was the text:
One of our farmers Ernie Wheatley.
Ernie has been rearing chickens on his farm set on the edge of the Derbyshire Dales for over 20 years. He regularly checks his flocks as bird welfare is a priority. This helps him achieve the high standards required by Tesco and Independent Farm Assurance.
From this we can imagine an idyllic scene of happy chickens fluttering across a beautiful fell side.
The reality is this:
Clearly Tesco is misleading us and trying to lull us into a false sense of security.
On the evidence of this, would you not be asking questions about Tesco's humanity?
Or doesn't humanity matter when it comes to money?
Just watch this video and you'll quickly get the picture.
If you are concerned - go to the River Cottage site.
* * * * * * *
Someone posting a comment about Tesco has accused me of calling them a hypocrite.This has made me stop and think - something that I appreciate.
My reluctant conclusion on reflection is that if you shop at Tesco you are either a hypocrite or deliberately choose not to think about what you do. If you stopped and thought, you would compare the descriptions of the way chickens are reared in the Coop as well - there you would find that chickens are reared more humanely though personally I don't think even this standard is good enough. It's a question of how humans treat animals and what people feel is acceptable - at least the coop method is a step in the right direction.
Having read the information given above and still shop at Tesco then the inescapable conclusion is that " yes, you are a hypocrite".
To test this thought out:
I bet that if I had a flock of chickens in the market square and ran around kicking and mistreating them, bundling them forcibly into crates, then the above shoppers would be the first to shout at me for being so cruel.
If I stamped carelessly on "darling little robins" or as mentioned before kicked out at cats then these shoppers would immediately shout out in outrage.
In the above TV program it was only when a chicken shopper was willing to visit the sheds where they were grown that she decided that she would stop buying them a pay a small amount more for chickens that lived with a little more dignity. Up to that point she was being a hypocrite in having one set of standards but living by another.
Sadly many people don't like facing the truth that they often do act as hypocrites. Join the human race - you're no better than the rest of us.
Face up to it and like yourself for being honest with yourself.
Our country is filling up with people that are becoming depressed because deep down they don't like themselves and are very touchy about being told the truth.
Tesco shoppers : you're hypocrites.
Friday, 1 May 2009
Tesco - pull out - ?
Rumour has it that they are miffed with our bye-law prohibiting deliveries before 7.00am. They appear to have called a halt on all work
The suggestion is that they could try to bully (persuade) the council to change the rules for them by refusing to carry on and refusing to sell.
Will they just dig their heels in and leave the store empty until they get their way?
What do you think? Should the council give in and change the bye-law?
It's surprising how suspicious people are of this multinational giant and ready to suspect the worse of them.
For me the main point is how to we keep or even encourage our town to be more active trading.
I do NOT feel that our councillors take this problem seriously.
We need some imaginative thinking of how to proceed.
Wouldn't it be great if we could have another ethical organisation like the Coop in the town?
The suggestion is that they could try to bully (persuade) the council to change the rules for them by refusing to carry on and refusing to sell.
Will they just dig their heels in and leave the store empty until they get their way?
What do you think? Should the council give in and change the bye-law?
It's surprising how suspicious people are of this multinational giant and ready to suspect the worse of them.
For me the main point is how to we keep or even encourage our town to be more active trading.
I do NOT feel that our councillors take this problem seriously.
We need some imaginative thinking of how to proceed.
Wouldn't it be great if we could have another ethical organisation like the Coop in the town?
Thursday, 19 March 2009
Tesco is coming!
If you like this leaflet, feel free to download it (below) and print off all the copies you want; we're waiving the copyright!Many will be welcoming Tesco and can't wait for it to open.
Personally I would have preferred to see Sainsbury or Booths here for those not satisfied with the service The Coop offer. Failing this then a host of small units occupied under an umbella organisation a bit like the indoor market but with really go ahead firms and organisations taking spaces. But this is not to be, because Tesco got there first.
So, let's show Tesco what we really think of them- by avoiding them!
First be well informed and download the above leaflet.
Here's the front
And here's the back.
If you think it's worth passing on to others tell them about this or print your own copies off for those without computers!
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
Tesco - Some very helpful thoughts
Someone has sent in the following excellent analysis. Comments from the Mill Road Campaigners have been added in red.
What do you think?
Tesco
Pros
• When Tesco opened in Bowness, it showed signs of wanting to create goodwill in the local community by donating money to support local groups (it’s not exactly known for its generosity though, and this was only £500).
• Could draw more people into the town and support other businesses that way
• Saves people who shop at Tesco already a trip to Barrow – better for the environment and keeps money circulating locally.
No, that's precisely what Tesco doesn't do. Money spent in Tesco goes to their Head Office. Independent retailers keep the money local. The stats are somewhere on our website (!)
• May draw people from the outskirts (such as Swarthmoor) who now go to Barrow to shop back into Ulverston.
• Jobs (unless other local businesses are squeezed out)
Unlikely to be any doubt about that, unfortunately, and the jobs on offer are likely to be part-time and low-paid.
• Cheaper goods available for hard-up locals
see my initial comments (likely to be 20% higher than Tesco Barrow). Express stores are not cheap!
• Provides competition for local shops – they’ll have to up their game somehow, which could have a positive effect.
• Ulverstonians need to be able to buy everyday necessities locally and at reasonable prices. This is becoming very difficult now Woolworths is gone. Local suppliers such as Pellymounters charge extremely high prices (possibly due to a lack of competitors) provoking townspeople to drive all the way to Barrow and back just to get simple goods at prices they can afford. Personally, I am forced to shop via the internet more and more. This all means less of our money is staying in the town and there are fewer jobs locally. If the new Tesco store sells similar goods to Woolworths (as opposed to merely foodstuffs), this may well be just what we need.
Cons
• Where will everyone park? Could cause traffic chaos. Or are there ways in which they could develop more parking space? Where might that be?
• Will need to be supplied – more lorries coming into the town centre.
• Will it put other businesses at risk? Direct competitors locally are Booths, Co-op, newsagents, butchers, bakeries, delicatessen, the indoor market. Other competitors – depends on whether the store will sell mainly foodstuffs or other items as well.
• Tesco doesn’t sell or promote locally produced goods (unlike Booths, which does).
• Doesn’t make the local high street look attractive or unique – a selling point for Ulverston. Might be bad for tourism.
• Will Tesco do a Bargain Booze and buy up adjacent shops, becoming larger and larger? Bargain Booze uglifies the street and causes parking problems, Tesco may prove even worse in that regard.
• Tesco is not known for its business ethics (unlike Co-op and Booths). Should such an unethical business be encouraged?
• What about our status as Fairtrade town?
• What about the possibility we have at the moment of marketing Ulverston as an alternative to clone towns, as a place where you can still get quality, where people can come for an alternative shopping experience?
Questions
• Will they be allowed to expand if they want to?
• What kind of Tesco will it be? Express? Mainly foodstuffs or a mix of food and other goods? This is something that could possibly be controlled by changing the planning permission so that they are only allowed to sell foodstuffs. However, the town really needs somewhere to buy the kind of goods that were stocked by Woolworths, otherwise people will have to go to Barrow just to buy the odd pot or pan.
What do you think?
Tesco
Pros
• When Tesco opened in Bowness, it showed signs of wanting to create goodwill in the local community by donating money to support local groups (it’s not exactly known for its generosity though, and this was only £500).
• Could draw more people into the town and support other businesses that way
• Saves people who shop at Tesco already a trip to Barrow – better for the environment and keeps money circulating locally.
No, that's precisely what Tesco doesn't do. Money spent in Tesco goes to their Head Office. Independent retailers keep the money local. The stats are somewhere on our website (!)
• May draw people from the outskirts (such as Swarthmoor) who now go to Barrow to shop back into Ulverston.
• Jobs (unless other local businesses are squeezed out)
Unlikely to be any doubt about that, unfortunately, and the jobs on offer are likely to be part-time and low-paid.
• Cheaper goods available for hard-up locals
see my initial comments (likely to be 20% higher than Tesco Barrow). Express stores are not cheap!
• Provides competition for local shops – they’ll have to up their game somehow, which could have a positive effect.
• Ulverstonians need to be able to buy everyday necessities locally and at reasonable prices. This is becoming very difficult now Woolworths is gone. Local suppliers such as Pellymounters charge extremely high prices (possibly due to a lack of competitors) provoking townspeople to drive all the way to Barrow and back just to get simple goods at prices they can afford. Personally, I am forced to shop via the internet more and more. This all means less of our money is staying in the town and there are fewer jobs locally. If the new Tesco store sells similar goods to Woolworths (as opposed to merely foodstuffs), this may well be just what we need.
Cons
• Where will everyone park? Could cause traffic chaos. Or are there ways in which they could develop more parking space? Where might that be?
• Will need to be supplied – more lorries coming into the town centre.
• Will it put other businesses at risk? Direct competitors locally are Booths, Co-op, newsagents, butchers, bakeries, delicatessen, the indoor market. Other competitors – depends on whether the store will sell mainly foodstuffs or other items as well.
• Tesco doesn’t sell or promote locally produced goods (unlike Booths, which does).
• Doesn’t make the local high street look attractive or unique – a selling point for Ulverston. Might be bad for tourism.
• Will Tesco do a Bargain Booze and buy up adjacent shops, becoming larger and larger? Bargain Booze uglifies the street and causes parking problems, Tesco may prove even worse in that regard.
• Tesco is not known for its business ethics (unlike Co-op and Booths). Should such an unethical business be encouraged?
• What about our status as Fairtrade town?
• What about the possibility we have at the moment of marketing Ulverston as an alternative to clone towns, as a place where you can still get quality, where people can come for an alternative shopping experience?
Questions
• Will they be allowed to expand if they want to?
• What kind of Tesco will it be? Express? Mainly foodstuffs or a mix of food and other goods? This is something that could possibly be controlled by changing the planning permission so that they are only allowed to sell foodstuffs. However, the town really needs somewhere to buy the kind of goods that were stocked by Woolworths, otherwise people will have to go to Barrow just to buy the odd pot or pan.
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