(BECS) Brighton Equitable Co-operative Society Junior Guild - membership badge (1920’s / 1930’s)
A finely made membership badge of the Brighton Equitable Co-operative Society (BECS). During the 1920’s there were nine Junior Guilds catering for children 7 to 14 years of age and who organised children’s activities, competitions, sports days, plays etc. to encourage and retain their membership.
The Brighton Equitable Co-operative Society was opened on the 1st January 1888 with some 200 members and in May of the same year opened their first store at 32 North Road in Brighton. Membership numbers rose steadily with just under 1,000 in 1900 and 4,414 members by 1914. With the amalgamation of other Sussex Co-Op societies, membership of the BECS rose to over 10,000. The 1920’s and 30’s saw a huge expansion in the operations of the Co-operative movement, especially amongst the poorer and lower income people. In 1931 the BECS opened their new headquarters and flagship store on the London Road, Brighton.
In contrast to modern supermarkets and major retail outlets, the Co-operative Movement was interested in its members not only as consumers but also as members of society. So the Co-Ops involved its members in clubs or guilds (see badge links below) and this philosophy extended to their children too.
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References:
archiveshub.ac.uk/features/christmas-southeastretailgroup... (An outline history of the CWS South-East retail Group that includes a paragraph about the Junior Guilds).
www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk/page_id__7946.aspx (The growth of the Co-operative Movement including a section on the Brighton Equitable Co-Operative Society).
www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk/page_id__8219_path__0p115p21... (Pictures of the BECS main store on the London Road, Brighton – as it was in the 1930’s and as it is today).
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Enamels: 2 (blue & white).
Finish: Gilt.
Material: Brass.
Fixer: Pin.
Size: 1” across x 1 1/8” down (about 25mm x 28mm).
Process: Die stamped.
Makers: No maker’s name or mark.
.
Thank you for reading.
Stuart.
(BECS) Brighton Equitable Co-operative Society Junior Guild - membership badge (1920’s / 1930’s)
A finely made membership badge of the Brighton Equitable Co-operative Society (BECS). During the 1920’s there were nine Junior Guilds catering for children 7 to 14 years of age and who organised children’s activities, competitions, sports days, plays etc. to encourage and retain their membership.
The Brighton Equitable Co-operative Society was opened on the 1st January 1888 with some 200 members and in May of the same year opened their first store at 32 North Road in Brighton. Membership numbers rose steadily with just under 1,000 in 1900 and 4,414 members by 1914. With the amalgamation of other Sussex Co-Op societies, membership of the BECS rose to over 10,000. The 1920’s and 30’s saw a huge expansion in the operations of the Co-operative movement, especially amongst the poorer and lower income people. In 1931 the BECS opened their new headquarters and flagship store on the London Road, Brighton.
In contrast to modern supermarkets and major retail outlets, the Co-operative Movement was interested in its members not only as consumers but also as members of society. So the Co-Ops involved its members in clubs or guilds (see badge links below) and this philosophy extended to their children too.
.
References:
archiveshub.ac.uk/features/christmas-southeastretailgroup... (An outline history of the CWS South-East retail Group that includes a paragraph about the Junior Guilds).
www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk/page_id__7946.aspx (The growth of the Co-operative Movement including a section on the Brighton Equitable Co-Operative Society).
www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk/page_id__8219_path__0p115p21... (Pictures of the BECS main store on the London Road, Brighton – as it was in the 1930’s and as it is today).
.
Enamels: 2 (blue & white).
Finish: Gilt.
Material: Brass.
Fixer: Pin.
Size: 1” across x 1 1/8” down (about 25mm x 28mm).
Process: Die stamped.
Makers: No maker’s name or mark.
.
Thank you for reading.
Stuart.