EVENWOOD CO-OP 1904-1984

1904 October 1: Evenwood Co-operative Store was opened.

Following the resolution to provide an establishment at Evenwood, 18 February 1903, land was purchased for £440. Plans were prepared and a contract let out for £1,273. 13 shillings and 6 pence for the premises to consist of a grocer’s shop, warehouse, stables and Manager’s house.

At the opening,

“The occasion was made a time of great rejoicing and excitement. A brass band paraded the locality and another notable tea, public meeting and concert were held.”

Mr John Metcalfe was appointed to manage the Branch. Soon, a weekly trade of £368 was accounted for. By 1910, John Metcalfe had 30 years’ service with the co-op, having started his career at Spennymoor, before moving to Central (Bishop Auckland) and then onto Evenwood.

4 other Evenwood men were named as Co-op Board Members. They were:

George Parkin who was a Board Member between May 1904 to November 1906. He was a colliery manager at Randolph Colliery, Evenwood.

Richard Parkin, who had only 1 years’ experience in 1910

William Parkin, who was then in his second year, brother of George Parkin and an overman at Randolph Colliery.

Johnson Welch, was a Board Member for 2 years, from November 1906 to 1908. He was a colliery manager. In May 1910, Johnson Welch died aged 62. He was a, “sidesman” at St. Paul’s Church and evidently highly regarded in the community. The Evenwood Parish Magazine reported that:

“4,000 followed his remains to their resting place.”

1914: John Metcalfe was the manager. He died in December 1918, aged 57. He lived at Prospect House. It was reported that he passed away after a long illness. He had a 38-year association with the Co-op Society.

At some time, understood to be 1914, the Co-op store was substantially extended by the addition of a first floor.

By 1921, Edward Howlett was the Co-op manager, presumably succeeding John Metcalfe. Sadly, Edward lost his 20 years old son, 39146 Private John Wilfred “Wilf” Howlett, 12/13 Northumberland Fusiliers when he was killed in action 18 September 1918. He is buried at Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery, France and commemorated on the Evenwood War Memorials.

Between 1921 and 1937, we have very little information.

Below: 1927: Miss Rachel Young on her first day at work. The man stood next to her was called Mr. Metcalfe, possibly a relative of the first co-op manager.

Tom Bryce moved to Evenwood after his war service and took up the position of manager in 1949, a post he held for 20 years, until 1969. Earlier, in 1937, Tom married Rachel “Ray” Young, herself an employee of Evenwood Co-op. By 1939, Tom and Ray lived at High Street, Byers Green where Tom worked as the Co-op Store Manager (grocery and hardware. Tom had a 32-year association with the Co-op Society, commencing as a 14 years old at Ferryhill Station.

From 1969, Tommy Robinson from the Butterknowle Co-op Branch took over as Manager at Evenwood.

Names of people employed at the Co-op either in the shop or warehouse include the following – Harry Horsman, Bobby and Billy Selby, Arnold Smith, Leo Watson, Joan Yole (Watson), Bobby Clinton, Harry McConnell, Alma Anderson, Harry Buttle, Harry Burnett, Barry Tate, Gordon Humphrey, Malcolm Charlton, Joyce Tate, Thelma Heaviside, George Alderson, Mavis Row, Kathleen Wren, Freddie Bradbrook, Betty Lamb. Mr. Payley, Mr Hodgson and Peter Ward worked in the butchers. Les Stubbs and Reggie Metcalfe collected the clubs.

Those who worked in the office were Tom Bryce, Joyce Stokeld, Jean Watson, Marion Simpson, Sheila Dodds, Dorothy Taylor, Joan Peddelty, Christine Partridge and Marjorie Fryer from Copley. Also Joe Barker, Eileen Maughan, Mary Clark, Barbara Grieves and Edith Grieves in drapery. Brian Purdey was the painter from the Bishop Auckland depot and Mr Neasham was the blacksmith from Bishop Auckland.

Below: 1955 Leo Watson on “Jackie”.