Co-op in Chirk

[keithwynne]

I am trying to find anything of the history of the Cooperative Society in Chirk.
As I understand My G Grandfather John Wynne played a part in its founding in Chirk Green. His photograph used to be in the Board Room of the Co-op in Chirk but probably no longer.
As a start I would like to know the date when the Co-op came to Chirk Green.
I've tried looking at the Co-op history site in Rochdale but got nowhere.
If anyone has any idea how I can proceed I would be grateful.
Thankyou
Keith   

[Gadget]

Hi Keith 

Me again. My grt grandfather, Henry was also a founding member. His diary of 1900 records meetings and the new 'bakehouse'.

I can't find my references to when Chirk Green was built - I'll have another scout around.

Gadget

Added - I have an idea that Chirk Green houses were first started in the 1860s (old row) and new rows were added over the next 30-years or so.

[Gadget]

On the Old Postcard site, there are a few photos of a fire at Chirk Green. You've probably seen them but here's a link to one of them:

http://www.chirk.org.uk/fire/b122.htm

I've spent ages pouring over them - some of my ancestors might be on them but the tree photos are not good enough to identify



Gadget

[keithwynne]

Thanks for your reply re. the Co-op in Chirk Green. It's interesting to find our ggrandfathers were part of the movement in Chirk. Did you ever get to see the photographs of the Board members in the room above the shop in the village, and if so did you see your ggrandfather? I wonder if these photos still exist.

Something else now, can you recall the names of the various rows which made up Chirk Green?
The Bottom Row 1-20 was the oldest, appearing on maps of the 1870's.
I then get confused as to which came next, the Old Row or the Middle Row. Then I believe there was the Top Row.

Also, do you know anything about the whereabouts of the fire in the photograph? Again I get a bit confused since at one time there were two Chirk Greens in the village.

I'm sure I'm putting you to a lot of trouble but you do seem to be very well informed about Chirk and surrounds.
Thankyou
Keith   

[Gadget]

I get confused about the naming of the rows - I'll ask big sister, she is most likely to know.

I think it was:

Top row

Old row

Middle row

Bottom row


Gadget

* But the top row was two rows and so was the next one down so................

oh dear 

[Gadget]

Here's one taken in the Bottom Row circa 1941:

 

[Gadget]

I think the photos on the Postcard site were of a fire at the Chirk Green that we generally think of by that name. The other Chirk Green was a row of about 8 cottages - I think all owner occupied.


Gadget

[keithwynne]

That is a lovely photograph of a nice man, the load of coal brought back memories.
I'd like to know if the Co-op Offices, sited above the grocery department in the village, still exist, and if so, does someone know the whereabouts the photographs of the officials.
Keith

[Gadget]

Maybe you could write. Here's the address:

Co-op Market Town Store
       16 Church Street
       Chirk
       Wrexham
       Denbighshire
       LL14 5HA



Gadget