October 2022 digital edition

QUEEN ELIZABETH II
Co-ops pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
Co-operators in the UK were among those
sending condolences to the Royal Family
following the death last month of Her
Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
The Queen, who died on 8 September
aged 96, had visited Rochdale in 1994 for
the 150th anniversary of the founding of
the Rochdale Pioneers’ Toad Lane store.
“The Queen and Prince Philip both
went to the exhibition held at what is now
Touchstones, which was up for the whole
p Home Magazine – Editor’s letter on the
occasion of the Queen’s coronation (Image:
Co-operative Heritage Trust)
year, with information and activities
about the development of the co-operative
movement,” says Gillian Lonergan, co-op
historian. “It was decided that they should
go to Touchstones as there was more space
for people to gather and meet them rather
than at Toad Lane; the necessary security
precautions precluded visiting both sites.”
The Queen also visited Manchester
in 2013, when she officially opened the
Co-operative Group’s new head office at
One Angel Square – which at the time
was the greenest building in the world.
Accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh,
the Queen toured the building before
unveiling a plaque to mark the formal
opening of the 14-storey building and
signing the visitor’s book. Prince Philip
had opened the CIS building in 1962.
“On behalf of the Co-op Group I would
like to offer our deepest condolences to
the Royal Family, following the news
about the passing of Her Royal Highness,
the Queen,” wrote Group CEO, Shirine
Khoury-Haq, on Twitter. “Our thoughts
are with the Royal Family, and we join
all others who will be reflecting on her
historic reign.”
Tributes were paid by other cooperative
retail societies including
Midcounties Co-operative and Central
England Co-operative, while the Coop
Party announced it would suspend
p The CWS celebrates the Queen’s coronation
(Image: Co-operative Heritage Trust)
all campaign activity and events until
further notice as a mark of respect.
“We are deeply saddened to hear of
the passing of Her Majesty the Queen,”
said Jim McMahon MP, chair of the Cooperative
Party.
“She has served our country with
distinction over the past 70 years, and in
the coming days, our nation will come
together to mourn and remember her
extraordinary contribution to British life. I
send the thoughts and condolences of our
Party and our movement to her family.”
Rose Marley, Co-operatives UK CEO,
said: “Queen Elizabeth II had an affinity
and connection with co-operatives ... Like
co-operatives, Her Royal Highness had
an enduring presence and adaptability -
the ability to reinvent oneself even as the
world transforms around you.
“Her staying power; her dignity; her
quiet effectiveness... Her Royal Highness,
Queen Elizabeth II was a low-key, but
u The Queen opening One Angel Square,
home of the Co-operative Group’s
headquarters, in 2013 (Im age: the
Co-operative Group)
t The Queen on a visit to Rochdale in 1994
(Image: Co-operative Heritage Trust)
6 | OCTOBER 2022