Amazing Co-op memories in Lowestoft

‘Amazing' legacy as memories shared at heritage celebration

What a wonderful day we all had capturing stories and memories.  Highlights included families bringing in photographs and memorabilia of their loved ones who used to work in the Canning Factories and sharing their stories, two former employees celebrating their 90th Birthdays, members being re-acquainted which was a wonderful sight to see.  We were entertained by the wonderful Vibettes who performed a number of memorable songs.  The great team from Lowestoft Woodcraft Folk helped with the refreshments which was tremendous.

The films showcased the CWS Canning Factories and the former Rogerson Hall Holiday Camp - members sat and enjoyed reminiscing over a cuppa and cake.

Thanks to the Eastern Membership & Community Council ((in particular to Kym Cooper, Tami Evans and Tanya Noon) for arranging the event in conjunction with the Heritage Open Days, Lowestoft Central, and Wherry Lines. A great combination of everyone working together to deliver this wonderful event.

Written by Mark Boggis, Lowestoft Journal. Published: 12:01 PM October 16, 2022

Russell Walker, Tanya Noon and Bob Collis at the event. - Credit: Mick Howes

Memories were shared as hundreds of people turned out to reminisce during a major community celebration.

Lowestoft's Co-operative history is showcased. - Credit: Mick Howes

Lowestoft's Co-Operative history was showcased during a special event that highlighted how one of the largest food production complexes in Europe was based in the coastal town.

The popular Co-operative Wholesale (CWS) Society's Canning Factory once employed more than 1,500 people in Lowestoft.

Lowestoft's Co-operative history is showcased. The former Co-op factory. - Credit: Russell Walker

With the Co-operative Movement having always played a major part in Lowestoft's heritage and culture, two large food processing factories were built by the food producer Maconochie Bros in 1894 and 1933 on Waveney Drive and Riverside Road in Lowestoft.

The former Co-op factory. - Credit: Russell Walker

CWS took over the Lowestoft factories in the 1930s, with a wide range of 'Waveney', 'Unity' and 'Wheatsheaf' branded lines.

Lowestoft's Co-operative history is showcased. - Credit: Mick Howes

In the 1940s the factories extended into the quick freezing of fruit and vegetables, with a wide range of products made in Lowestoft and distributed to millions by 1950 - as it provided substantial income to the local economy.

Lowestoft's Co-operative history is showcased. - Credit: Mick Howes

Celebrating the Co-operative movement, a special exhibition, films, memorabilia, memories and live music from local duo The Vibettes as people recalled the organisation's former CWS food factory in the town and the Rogerson Hall holiday centre at Corton that was used by Co-op employees.

The Vibettes perform as Lowestoft's Co-operative history is showcased. - Credit: Mick Howes

The 'Prepared by the Shore, sold by the Store' event attracted a fine turnout on Saturday, October 15 - with more than 400 people visiting the Parcels Office Exhibition Space at Lowestoft railway station by the early afternoon.

Lowestoft's Co-operative history is showcased. - Credit: Russell Walker

Organised by the Central England Co-operative's Membership and Community Council, it was a chance to celebrate and reminisce about the former CWS Canning Factory that ran from 1932 through to its eventual demolition in 2000.

Lowestoft's Co-operative history is showcased. - Credit: Mick Howes

Former factory employees turned out and found out more on how the Co-operative movement continues to play a vital role in Lowestoft.

Lowestoft's Co-operative history is showcased. - Credit: Mick Howes

With a specially produced booklet featuring a history of the factory handed out to those attending, the successful free event was staged by kind permission of the Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership and the Lowestoft Central Project.

Reaction

With Central England Co-operative - one of the largest independent societies - continuing to operate in Lowestoft - chief executive officer, Debbie Robinson said: "My time working for the CWS Food Manufacturing Division in the 1980s and visiting Lowestoft, and the factory, were very special.

"The factory was beautiful and I was shocked at the scale of the whole operation.

"Several generations of families worked in the factories and there was always a great atmosphere."

Lowestoft's Co-operative history is showcased. - Credit: Mick Howes

Delighted with how the event had gone, Tanya Noon, part of the member and community team at Central England Co-operative, said: "It has been brilliant, especially in the morning with everyone coming out.

"It was fantastic to hear people still wanting to share their memories.

"We had two ladies celebrating their 90th birthday's at the event - both worked at CWS - and so we sang them happy birthday.

"Another lady told us how she met her husband-to-be there and how they went on to be married."

Community rail development officer at Community Rail Norfolk, Martin Halliday, said: "We have had more than 400 attending already which is amazing.

"This is part of Lowestoft's history and the memories shared have been fascinating.

"We are really, really delighted to host this event."

Russell Walker, a former employee of the CWS Factory in Lowestoft, provided a number of photos for the event and was part of the working group that organised it.

"The exhibition has been well received with lots of people turning out, with some great memories shared," he said.

Simon Fuller, as Lowestoft's Co-operative history is showcased. - Credit: Mick Howes

Among those turning out was Simon Fuller, whose father John Fuller used to work in the sauces and pickles department.

His mother's cousin Jeannie Howes appeared on a photo and badminton trophy that was won in 1952, that was brought along by Angie Barkes as an item of memorabilia for the event.

Written by Mark Boggis, Lowestoft Journal. Published: 12:01 PM October 16, 2022