Fenwick's 250 years of co-operation
16 March-
Fenwick Weaver's Co-operative
It all began here. Exactly 250 years ago this week, Fenwick became home to the world's first co-operative - beating Rochdale, previously thought to be the home of the co-op, by nearly a century.
On March 14, 1761, sixteen Fenwick weavers signed a charter promising to support each other in business, trade honestly and charge fair prices.
Working in competition the weavers remained poor as merchants forced down their prices. But by banding together they could keep prices fair. They money they made was invested in the village, providing a credit union, a library, and cut-price food which was bought in bulk then sold to members.
Local historians John Smith and John McFadzean have established Fenwick's claim to be home to the world's first co-operative. They appeared on the BBC's Good Morning Scotland on Monday, the anniversary of the historic signing.
Mr McFadzean said: "The [weavers] realised that they were facing financial ruin.
"Working independently, selling their goods to the merchants, and getting bartered down and bartered down, there was no profit left in their sales.
"So they banded themselves together, so they could actually fix a price, and buy stuff in in bulk.
"Then they used the money they made to look after the poor, and to expand the whole co-operative venture throughout the village."
Mr Smith said: "It started off as a local enterprise to help the people of the village, and to help the weavers themselves.
"But when you look into the history you can see how it developed locally after that, and you see other co-operatives springing up in the area.
"You can see that the principle was being taken to other places, where they thought it was a good idea, so they copied the example that was set here in Fenwick."
Now the co-operative movement extends around the world, covering a wide range of businesses - including department store chain John Lewis. Worldwide, the co-operative movement has a turnover equivalent to the GDP of a country like Canada, according to the local pair.
You can see this story on the BBC's site here.
There's a Facebook page for the Fenwick Weaver's Co-operative here.
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