A busy Co-op Fortnight to Celebrate International Year of Co-ops

The Southern MCC have had a busy Co-op Fortnight with lots of activities and events to mark the special occasion.

Stores in Marston Moretaine, Thrapston and Grange Place in Kettering all held Golden Ticket and give aways alongside Town Fairs and Carnival days and at the Marston Moretaine store, we invited along Heart of Marston, a young people's charity who sold books and toys to raise much needed funds for families experiencing hardship.

We held a Savvy Shopping event at our Ashby de la Zouch Store, where young people were given the opportunity to come into the store and shop for breakfast, lunch and dinner for four people on a small budget. Following the challenge, they were treated to a tour of the store and a go on the till, before departing with some healthy fruit.

We were also invited into Stafford Leys Primary School in Leicester Forest East to help out wi th some french classes where the children were tastings lots of french cuisine which was provided by the local Co-op Store (apart from the "Escargots" which the teacher had brought in)! We were once again invited to the Sustainable Schools Leicester Eco Celebrations Day as judges for the schools that had entered the awards event to showcase their contribution to climate change and healthy living.

On the second week, we delivered three Co-op History and Fairtrade lessons to children in Barleycroft School in Leicester, and also held our ever popular Murder Mystery evening entitled "The Murder of Edna Bass" with the Whetstone Drama Group, who receive a grant from us, at our Insomnia Cafe in Blaby. On the 4th and 5th July some of us headed off to Rochdale, the home of co-operation, for this year's Co-op Congress and it didn't disappoint. Among the very inspiring speakers from all different co-operatives and community initatives we were joined by Steve Coogan, Actor and Comedian who was flying the Co-op flag!

Lastly, working with Coalville Radio Station, we produced a podcast on Co-ops - Past, Present & Future with the help of our colleagues, MCC members, retired employees and invited guests. We also launched a new "World Builders" game to educate both children and adults on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.