Symbol Of Success

Promotional film showing how the Co-operative Wholesale Movement is owned and controlled by its members to their mutual benefit. CWS meetings, the production of food on Co-operative's farms, processing in their factories and selling through their retail outlets is shown.

Close up of an ant on a leaf. The commentator states that on its own an ant is a pretty small operator. However, if you give it a few friends with similar ambitions in life things will get moving. Shot of a colony of ants moving a leaf. The commentator says that now the ant is a co-operator and immediately his horizons have widened and the whole world is a rosier place. The film changes from black and white to colour. The camera pans across a wheat field and a combine harvester. Close ups of people driving the combine harvester. Close up of a bunch of wheat which is the symbol for the CWS. Close up of a Co-operative Wholesale Society sign. Camera tilts down and shows a Co-op store and people shopping. Someone picks up a shopping basket as the commentator states that although it is commercial, the CWS only exists to serve the thousands of Co-operative retail shops and their customers. Various shots of people shopping. Camera pans across the street outside the store and the commentator states that over 13 million people in Britain shop in Co-op stores. Close up of a boy named Toby and his dog as the commentator says that he didn’t want to go Co-operative shopping and as far as he’s concerned it’s all a big yawn. Shot of the boy and his dog yawning. His mum, Mrs Ashton, greets him outside and it is explained that she manages many of the stores. Close up of his mum drinking a cup of tea and answering an interviewers questions about her role at the Co-op. She says that she likes the way the Co-op is run by people that they choose to elect. She adds that it is reassuring to know that she can go onto the committee if she wants to. Close up of some flowers. Shot of a village and someone leading some ponies past the shop. A woman walks towards the Co-op as the commentator states that whether your local society is large or small, each of its members is equally important as all of them are entitled to a share in the running of their particular society. Whether a village shop or a modern supermarket the principle is the same. Close up of the Co-operative Wholesale Society sign outside the shop. Shot of a sign on a building site for the new store being built for Manchester and Salford. The commentator says that new stores are being built all over the country. A woman puts a vote into a ballet box as the commentator states that no other store is governed by this democratic principle. Shot of the CWS logo shown on a lorry as it drives past the camera. Multiple Co-operative lorries drive along. Shot of a tower block as it is explained that the CWS is three mammoth businesses in one. Shot of two men on a ship to illustrate that the CWS is a mighty importer. The commentator states that the CWS is also a wholesaler to ensure that the customers get the most out of bulk buying. Shot of machinery packaging self-raising flour as it is explained that the CWS is Britain’s most versatile manufacturer. Shot of a little boy looking at stamps as the commentator states that the CWS spans all over the world. Shot of someone brushing a cow. Camera pans over a herd of cows on a Danish farm. Close up of chickens. The commentator claims that in Denmark alone the CWS has five buying depots. Shots of chickens, pigs and sheep. Close up of someone passing money over a counter as the commentator explains that the CWS is the consumer’s servant. Close up of cans on the shelves in a co-operative store followed by people shopping in the store. The commentator states that with the CWS, the customer always comes first. Close up of a woman holding a CWS share book. Clip of a housewife called Helen Brenard going to a CWS shareholders meeting in Manchester. Camera pans over the New Century House building. Interior shot of the building where the shareholders meeting is taking place. Close ups of people giving speeches at the podium. Helen explains that she was selected as a member in order to represent the ordinary shopper. Close up of the director giving a report on what the CWS has done over the last six months. Close up of people writing followed by people raising their hands as Helen explains that everything is decided by voting. A journalist interviews Helen and asks her why women would give up their time to come to these meetings. She replies that she was intrigued and it seemed a worthwhile way to spend the time. They discuss the Co-operative’s views and benefits. Camera pans over the cars driving along the road before zooming in on a Co-operative store. The Co-operative theme tune plays as a woman walks down the street. Camera zooms in on the store sign followed by a woman looking at china plates, close ups of milk bottles and a man changing the destination card on a vehicle, close up of a bread van and a sign reading ‘Come Co-operative Shopping’ attached to a bed. People look at the Co-operative window displays and a woman looks at the televisions in the store. A waitress places a plate of food in front of a man in a restaurant. A man gets a suit fitted followed by a shot of a child looking at the suit on a mannequin. A woman gets out her umbrella followed by various shots of people shopping in Co-operative stores and cars and buses driving along the street. The commentator explains the history of the Co-operative. Shot of the inside of a flat as the commentator states that the CWS started in two rented rooms on Cooper Street, Manchester. Shot of people shopping in the Co-operative. Two women sit on a sofa smoking and discuss why they joined the CWS and the high quality goods it sells. Close up of a CWS radio. Close up of the CWS Manchester logo on banners in front of the Co-operative Wholesale Society Manchester Brass Band. Shot of the factory machines making different products. Close ups of children eating sweets and football players running out onto a field. A little boy tries on shoes, a man drives his truck on a farm followed by close ups of chickens. A woman fries eggs whilst her dog watches. Another woman decorates a china cup and people make clay plates and bowls using machines. Close ups of products being made by people and machinery followed by close ups of it being sold in the store. Co-operative buses drive past followed by shots of fields and sheep. Close up of the CWS Concert Band sign. Close ups of people coming out of the CWS building as the commentator states that the company is for everyone and is a symbol of success.

Featured Buildings

New Century House CWS building in Manchester.

Keywords

Co-op; Co-operative; CWS; Co-operative Wholesale Movement; Co-operative Wholesale Society; Factory; Factories; Farms; Retailer; Shop; Shopping; Supermarket;

Other Places

Denmark; Salford;