Way back in October my partner needed to get to Rochdale, and wasn't too shocked to discover my enthusiasm to take her was A225-related. We 'negotiated' a brief stop here, which is 31 Toad Lane - site of the first co-operative store run by the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers. Opened in 1844 selling a limited range of goods (sugar, butter, oatmeal and flour) this wasn't the first co-operative - but it has ended up having iconic status in the wider movement. It was established as a museum in 1931 and has a small but fascinating exhibition about co-operatives from the industrial revolution onwards. It's taken until now for the module to catch up with me, but I can now celebrate late-Victorian working class association along with chapter 19!
We had a lovely welcome from the volunteer guide - who it transpires is currently doing an MA in History with the OU - my partner decided at that point that I needed to be removed from further temptation! 😂