Aspatria Agricultural Cooperative Society
Encyclopedia
The Aspatria Agricultural Cooperative Society was established in Aspatria
, Cumberland
, England in 1870, after a group of local farmers combined to deal in artificial manures, feeding stuffs, seeds, and agricultural implements. Although formed in a small rural community, the society had the integrity to sue agricultural agencies when their guarantees did not conform to their advertised products. Although one of the first organisations of its kind, it continues to flourish when others fell by the way side and is now arguably the oldest of its kind in the world. Moreover the society became a catalyst which empowered three local men to further the cause of agriculture by establishing the Aspatria Agricultural College, the second of its kind in the world.
, of Glasgow University. Anderson confirmed Norman's suspicions, as the manure contained only 13 per cent of soluble phosphates with a value of £2 50p per ton. In the meantime, Twentyman, acting independently applied the manure to a field of turnips and experienced disappointing results. The two neighbours met through the intermediary of local veterinary surgeon Henry Thompson MRCVS
who suggested they form an Agricultural Society
at Aspatria, with the primary aim of initiating an annual Agricultural Show
. It was during a speech at the inaugural show dinner, in September 1869, that Sir Wilfrid Lawson, 2nd Baronet of Brayton advised local farmers to follow his example and join the Agricultural and Horticultural Association, established by Edward Owen Greening at Manchester
two years earlier. Twentyman took the initiative one stage further and organised a meeting of local landlords and tenant farmers with a view of establishing a small company for buying fertilisers and feed stuff at a guaranteed quality. At a meeting on 24 January 1870, twenty members agreed to draw up a list of rules, adopt a motto ‘each for all and all for each’, appoint Henry Thompson as secretary, on an initial salary of £65 per annum, and to purchase 160 subscription shares at £1 each. On April 14, the society, the first of its kind in Cumberland
, registered the company under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act.
, reported to contain 17 per cent ammonia. The society purchased 50 tons, and dispersed it amongst their membership. Norman took samples from several of the consignments which under analysis proved to contain no more than 13.45 per cent of the desired compound. The directors reacted with direct action and refrained from payment of the value of the difference, a sum of about £59. This action infuriated the seller who issued a writ in the high court
. Although the initial ruling went against the society they immediately lodged an appeal. The case became protracted and journeyed through several courts eventually settling at the Committee to the House of Lords
. After five years of squabbling the arbiter ruled in favour of Aspatria. Although the case cost the society a sum of £630, the seller’s legal expenses exceeded £2,400; furthermore the society had fulfilled one of its prime objectives 'value for money rather than profit'. The arbiter had settled the case but it took a further thirty-six years before the British government introduced legislation to guarantee the composition of fertilisers and animal feedstuff.
Aspatria
Aspatria is a small town and civil parish in Cumbria, England, and lies half way between Maryport and Wigton, on the A596. Historically within Cumberland, it is about away from the coast. It is approximately seven miles from the northern boundary of the Lake District, and located to the south east...
, Cumberland
Cumberland
Cumberland is a historic county of North West England, on the border with Scotland, from the 12th century until 1974. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974 and now forms part of Cumbria....
, England in 1870, after a group of local farmers combined to deal in artificial manures, feeding stuffs, seeds, and agricultural implements. Although formed in a small rural community, the society had the integrity to sue agricultural agencies when their guarantees did not conform to their advertised products. Although one of the first organisations of its kind, it continues to flourish when others fell by the way side and is now arguably the oldest of its kind in the world. Moreover the society became a catalyst which empowered three local men to further the cause of agriculture by establishing the Aspatria Agricultural College, the second of its kind in the world.
Early beginnings
In 1869, a quantity of artificial ‘turnip’ manure priced at £7 50p per ton arrived in the Aspatria district. Of the recipients John Twentyman of Hawkrigg Farm, and William Norman of High Close, bought 5 tons and 2 tons respectively. Norman, a qualified chemist, doubted the integrity of the declared chemical properties and sought verification from former colleague, Thomas AndersonThomas Anderson (chemist)
thumb|280pxThomas Anderson was a noted 19th century chemist. In 1853 his work on alkaloids led him to discover the correct structure for codeine...
, of Glasgow University. Anderson confirmed Norman's suspicions, as the manure contained only 13 per cent of soluble phosphates with a value of £2 50p per ton. In the meantime, Twentyman, acting independently applied the manure to a field of turnips and experienced disappointing results. The two neighbours met through the intermediary of local veterinary surgeon Henry Thompson MRCVS
Henry Thompson MRCVS
Henry Thompson was a founder member of the Aspatria Agricultural Society, the Aspatria Agricultural Cooperative Society and the Aspatria Agricultural College.-Early life and education:...
who suggested they form an Agricultural Society
Agricultural society
An agricultural society may refer to:*An agrarian society, one where the chief occupation is agriculture: typically contrasted with an industrial society....
at Aspatria, with the primary aim of initiating an annual Agricultural Show
Agricultural show
An agricultural show is a public event showcasing the equipment, animals, sports and recreation associated with agriculture and animal husbandry. The largest comprise a livestock show , a trade fair, competitions, and entertainment...
. It was during a speech at the inaugural show dinner, in September 1869, that Sir Wilfrid Lawson, 2nd Baronet of Brayton advised local farmers to follow his example and join the Agricultural and Horticultural Association, established by Edward Owen Greening at Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
two years earlier. Twentyman took the initiative one stage further and organised a meeting of local landlords and tenant farmers with a view of establishing a small company for buying fertilisers and feed stuff at a guaranteed quality. At a meeting on 24 January 1870, twenty members agreed to draw up a list of rules, adopt a motto ‘each for all and all for each’, appoint Henry Thompson as secretary, on an initial salary of £65 per annum, and to purchase 160 subscription shares at £1 each. On April 14, the society, the first of its kind in Cumberland
Cumberland
Cumberland is a historic county of North West England, on the border with Scotland, from the 12th century until 1974. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974 and now forms part of Cumbria....
, registered the company under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act.
The rules
This society will check the sale of inferior and adulterated articles, by giving the members the control over the agency that purchases for them. The committee having supreme power, and being a representative body annually elected, no abuse of the kind can creep in without the connivance of the members themselves; a thing all but impossible. If any member or customer can supply themselves better without the intervention of the society, or through other agency, we have no right to expect or desire to obtain their custom. In judging this however, it is necessary to bear in mind that purchasing members receive back all surplus profits after payment of working expenses, and interest on capital. They must also remember that the greatest possible care will be taken by obtaining analyses, and exacting guarantees to secure pure articles of the very highest quality. The committee will make this in fact the special feature of the society.An extensive court case
Later that year a vessel arrived in Whitehaven harbour carrying a cargo of high quality Peruvian guanoGuano
Guano is the excrement of seabirds, cave dwelling bats, and seals. Guano manure is an effective fertilizer due to its high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen and also its lack of odor. It was an important source of nitrates for gunpowder...
, reported to contain 17 per cent ammonia. The society purchased 50 tons, and dispersed it amongst their membership. Norman took samples from several of the consignments which under analysis proved to contain no more than 13.45 per cent of the desired compound. The directors reacted with direct action and refrained from payment of the value of the difference, a sum of about £59. This action infuriated the seller who issued a writ in the high court
High Court
The term High Court usually refers to the superior court of a country or state. In some countries, it is the highest court . In others, it is positioned lower in the hierarchy of courts The term High Court usually refers to the superior court (or supreme court) of a country or state. In some...
. Although the initial ruling went against the society they immediately lodged an appeal. The case became protracted and journeyed through several courts eventually settling at the Committee to the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
. After five years of squabbling the arbiter ruled in favour of Aspatria. Although the case cost the society a sum of £630, the seller’s legal expenses exceeded £2,400; furthermore the society had fulfilled one of its prime objectives 'value for money rather than profit'. The arbiter had settled the case but it took a further thirty-six years before the British government introduced legislation to guarantee the composition of fertilisers and animal feedstuff.
A Successful business
Sales in the opening six months amounted to £4,381, and generated a profit of £701, out of which the committee distributed 5 per cent on capital, working expenses involved in the establishing of the society £192, discount to purchasing members at time of sale £272, leaving £228 paid as dividend to purchasing members only. By 1900 membership had risen to 327 with annual sales totalling £13,467; almost all the profit being distributed to the membership as interest and dividends. On their 50th anniversary in 1920, Henry Thompson retired, after serving as secretary since the inception. In that year, the oldest society of its kind in Europe, reported a turnover of £40,000. In the period since its formation, total sales amounted to £800,000, with interest paid to shareholders of £4,000, and dividends to purchasing members of £8,100. Although Thompson left a society never seeking to become a market leader, it was steeped in genuine integrity, which continued to practice on the assumption that the reason for its existence was to guarantee the quality of its goods and services.Modern times
In 1919, a special general meeting decided not to transfer the business to the Aspatria Cooperative Wholesale Society and natural growth continued. In 1976 the society dropped the word cooperative from its title and in 1990 underwent a further name change when they became known as Aspatria Farmers Ltd. On 1 November 2006, Aspatria Farmers took over Joseph Hillary Ltd an agricultural machine retailer and the business relocated to Hillary’s site on Station Road Aspatria.External links
- Aspatria Farmers Limited – profile at Co-operatives UK