’21st Century Green Pioneers distribute free sunflower seeds for Earth Cafe & proposed Environmental Centre & New Social Enterprise in Rochdale outside Toad Lane Co-operative the birthplace of the original Rochdale Pioneers!
The sign says on the approach to Rochdale after turning off the M62 motorway:

‘Welcome to Rochdale – the birthplace of cooperation! ‘
Lets today remember some of our town’s richly diverse & proud local history, replace these words with deeds and recall that:

“The Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers, held in Toad Lane, in the Parish of Rochdale, in the County of Lancaster,” made up its mind that a capital of £1,000 must be raised for the establishment of the Store. This sum was to be raised by £1 shares, of which each member should be required to hold four and no more’.

[Self Help by the People - The History of the Rochdale Pioneers , George Jacob Holyoake, 1844 - 1892] , [IV]

‘This tiny Toad Lane Cooperative shop in Rochdale inspired the worldwide modern era co-operative movement and gave rise to a successful trans-national corporation with financial assets held in the millions of pounds. We believe that the 21st century will be the century of environmental co-operation, because we have no choice. It is a sustainable and green future by necessity or it will be no future at all. We are all part of the same jigsaw today; We invite people who believe Rochdale deserves better and that our environment is worth fighting for to buy a piece of this thousand piece jig saw as members of a community who intend to create a more sustainable and socially just society for our children and green children to inhabit. We as individuals all have an investment in the future of our planet – as individuals acting collectively our voice will be more powerful – Earth Cafe is to be a Social Enterprise and Workers Cooperative taking the social justice values of those 19th c Rochdale pioneers with the environmental values and principles of the environmental movement of the 21st. ‘

said Andrew Wastling, Campaigns & Media Worker, Earth Cafe Rochdale.

“We are planting these seeds today to remember that inspirational and “pioneering spirit” which made Rochdale world famous as the birthplace of the world co-operative movement. As well as to plant the seeds of an idea that Rochdale can be a cleaner greener place to live”

‘We know that this is no small task but equally believe that with the passion and commitment of the wonderful people of the town that we can make this happen. Since we voiced our thoughts and plans, there has been much enthusiasm for this concept. Today we are letting the people of Rochdale know that the seeds of a greener, cleaner, future for our much loved home on the edge of the Pennines have well and truly taken root; and to confirm that those of us at Earth Cafe, Rochdale intend to do all that we can to ensure we have a environmentally and socially sustainable future for our children to inherit‘

Said Helen McCarthy, Director of Earth Cafe, Rochdale, and founder member of Rochdale Freegle : www.rochdalefreegle.org.uk

Starting from an idea that has been bubbling away in Helen’s mind for some time, two people got together over a drink, and an environmental exchange and realised that they could make a difference to the place they call home. Starting with a simple idea that home is where the heart is, Heart of Earth and Earth Cafe were born.

“We believe that we can make Rochdale Borough a greener, cleaner, more vibrant space. We know that this is no small task. But equally believe that with the passion and commitment of other like minded individuals collectively we can make this happen.”

If you feel that you are passionate about making a change to our town. Want to help our town become somewhere that is renowned for it’s vibrancy, culture, heritage and diversity then please take the first step by contacting us by email or give us a call and we can make this happen. We both have past experience of community engagement; social/environmental/ political action and both have a shared concern for future generations and the type of society and the future state of the planet they will one day
Inherit from our generation.

We believe that action will speaker far louder than words and that it is only by actively challenging the status quo by creating sustainable communities, workers co-operatives, social enterprises and eco-housing co-operatives and lifestyle alternatives that there will be any future worth inheriting at all.

AIMS:
Green Education Information and Resource Library Talks, demonstrations and ideas for making small changes in our lives that have a big impact on our town.

A central meeting space at low cost for community groups. A vibrant cafe space for meeting people, discussing green issues, enjoying locally sourced food and drinks. Promotion of local art through a gallery space on the cafe walls. Children’s play area that encourages, educates and entertains whilst embedding environmental sustainability.

If you ‘get it’ and can help us realise this concept then please contact Helen or Andrew on:

earthcaferochdale@googlemail.com or visit Rochdale Earth Cafe’s website at: www.earthcafe.org.uk

Publicity Links

Rochdale Freegle Site at: www.rochdalefreegle.org.uk
Manchester Greencycle UK Network at: ManchesterGreencycleUKCafe@yahoogroups.co.uk
Environment Network 4 Manchester at: http://www.en4m.org.uk/?q=node/1629
Diggers & Dreamers – Guide to Communal Living in Britain At: http://www.diggersanddreamers.org.uk/index.php?one
Manchester Climate Fortnightly: http://manchesterclimatefortnightly.wordpress.com/
Earth Day Network Blog: http://network.earthday.net/profiles/blog/show?id=1734264%3ABlogPost%3A98020

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