Scapegoat Hill Co-operative wasn’t the only one to offer a great dividend in the past.

Dave Whitworth of Mount says: “You might be interested to know that, despite the claims of the Rochdale Pioneers, Kirkheaton Co-op celebrated its centenary in 1934.

“Co-op members were each presented with a pewter teapot and a hamper of groceries.

“The shop windows had notices proclaiming a dividend of 4/- in the pound (20%).

“Beat that, as they say, but of course, that might just have been special for centenary year. Perhaps someone among your readers can tell us more?”

Co-operative stores were set up to sell goods at the lowest possible price to their working class members. The Rochdale Pioneers Co-operative started in 1844 and they are acknowledged as the founders of the modern movement.

Their set of principles were adopted by many of the co-operative societies around the world today.

But other co-operatives had operated before them and the very first was said to be at Meltham Mills. A store opened there in 1827 for the benefit of the mill workers of the village and moved into purpose-built premises in 1862: they’re still there, operating as a shop, at the junction of Meltham Mills Road and Mill Bank Road.

As Dave says, can anyone add anything more?