The Rochdale Pioneers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Rochdale Pioneers |
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Official film poster
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| Directed by | Adam Lee Hamilton and John Montegrande |
| Produced by | John Montegrande and Kevin Atkinson |
| Written by | JS Papenbrock |
| Starring | John Henshaw, Robert Maxfield and John McArdle |
| Release date(s) | 11 November 2012 (UK) |
| Running time | 57 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | Less than £90,000 |
The Rochdale Pioneers is a British movie from 2012. It tells the true story of how the first successful cooperative shop started. This shop was created by a group of working-class people in Rochdale, England, in 1844. At that time, many people faced hard times. There was a lot of unemployment, poverty, and unfairness. The idea of a cooperative shop was new and faced challenges.
A short film called The Making of 'The Rochdale Pioneers' was also made. It shows how the main movie was created.
Contents
Why the Pioneers Started
Life in the 1800s
After the big wars ended in 1815, life became very tough in Britain. Many people, especially those who worked with textiles like weavers and spinners, lost their jobs. Wages, or pay, also dropped a lot.
People were unhappy because they couldn't vote to change things. This led to protests. One famous event was the Peterloo Massacre in 1819. During this, soldiers attacked a peaceful protest in Manchester.
The Idea of Cooperatives
Before the Rochdale Pioneers, some groups tried to start cooperative businesses. These were places where people worked together to help each other. However, these early attempts didn't last.
The Rochdale Pioneers wanted to offer good, honest food and supplies. They promised fair prices and correct measurements. Any extra money made would go back to help the community.
These 28 working-class men are seen as the founders of the modern cooperative movement. The rules they made, called the Rochdale Principles, are still used today. Now, there are about 1.4 million cooperative businesses worldwide. They have nearly 1 billion members!
Inspiration for the Film
The movie The Rochdale Pioneers was inspired by an older film. That film, Men of Rochdale, was made in 1944. It celebrated 100 years since the first shop opened.
The original shop was at 31 Toad Lane in Rochdale, England. It opened on December 21, 1844. The shop was used until 1867. Later, it became the Rochdale Pioneers Museum. It reopened in 2012 after a big renovation.
What the Movie is About
The story takes place in 1844. A group of working-class people in Rochdale were tired of how unfair society was. Shopkeepers often sold bad quality goods. They also charged high prices and cheated customers.
So, this group decided to act. They put their small amounts of money together. With enough funds, they opened their own shop. They promised to sell only good, pure products. They also decided to share any profits fairly with their customers.
The shop was small and only sold a few items. These included butter, flour, and sugar. But their idea was very new and special. The way they did business was completely different and fair.
Who is in the Movie
- John Henshaw as John Holt
- Andrew London as William Cooper
- Jordan Dawes as Samuel Ashworth
- Rachel Caffrey as Betty Cooper
- Jack Baldwin as Charles Howarth
- Matthew Stead as James Daly
- John Symes as Mr. Butterworth
- Josie Owen as Mrs. Croft
- Ian Pink as Mr. Leach
- Bob Young as John Shackell
- Darren White as James Smithies
- John McArdle as Dr. Dunlope
- Eric Hulme as Miles Ashworth
- Michael Whewell as James Standring
- Eliza Kempson as Mrs. Shackell
- Robert Maxfield as Mr. Smith
- Ian Jenkins as Robert the stallholder
- Rod Barry as Mr. Crowther
- Hazel Mrozek as Mrs. Charlesworth
- Jennifer O'Brien as Jenny Fletcher
How the Movie Was Made
The Co-operative Group asked for The Rochdale Pioneers to be made. It was produced by the Co-operative British Youth Film Academy. The movie came out in 2012. This was part of the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives.
A documentary called The Making of 'The Rochdale Pioneers' was also created. Darren White directed and produced this film.
Many people who acted in and worked on the movie were from local towns. They worked alongside famous actors like John Henshaw and John McArdle. Parts of the movie were filmed in the old village of Heptonstall in Yorkshire. This village is close to Rochdale.
Where to Watch the Movie
The Rochdale Pioneers first showed at Co-operatives United in Manchester, England. This was on November 1, 2012. It was first shown on TV on Film4 on Sunday, November 11, 2012.
See also
- History of the cooperative movement
- The Hungry Forties
