Forest of Rossendale. 307 



awkward manner of wrapping up the articles was also watched, and 

 formed the occasion of amusement to those who tried to load the 

 movement with derision. But perseverance and a conscience void 

 of offence will carry a man through many difficulties, and the 

 Rossendale Co-operators still struggled on, till a success, greater 

 than was anticipated, crowned their enterprise. 



It is to be expected that mistakes would at first occasionally 

 be made, through ine.xperience, in " buying in." Some of these 

 assumed a ludicrous aspect : one example will suffice. Two of the 

 members were deputed to purchase a number of cheeses. They 

 invested in fourteen. But on arrival they were found to be so 

 hard as to need cutting up with a saw ; and where the instrument 

 had passed through, they shone like a piece of glass or ivory, being 

 nearly as difficult to masticate. These cost sixpence per pound 

 wholesale, and had to be retailed out at fourpence ; turning the 

 penny, certainly, but not increasing the profit. 



The Share and Loan Capital of the Bacup Co-operative Store 

 amourited in December 1892 to ;^79,88o; the number of 

 members at the same period was 2813. They turned over their 

 stock eight times during the year, and realised a profit of ^16,635, 

 their working expenses being 7-9 per cent, upon the returns. 



The Society possesses a news and reading-room, plentifully 

 supplied with newspapers and journals; a circulating and 

 reference library, containing in the whole 12,500 volumes; all free 

 to members ; and a spacious assembly-room capable of seating 

 1200 persons. The business portion of the premises is ample and 

 commodious. The whole buildings and fixtures belonging to the 

 Society cost £,2%,2']i. It is free from debt, never having had any 

 mortgage or encumbrance on it whatsoever. The Society has a 

 Reserve-fund amounting to £,2)^ 1 79. In connexion with the parent 

 establishment are seven branches and a large central shoe and 

 clog department. 



Such is a brief outline of the rise and progress of the oldest 

 Co-operative store in Rossendale. On the question of Co-operation 



