Co-op Community Event Marks the Summer of Love

Twice a year the Co-op Florists in Great Barr organise a Community Day with stalls running along the street outside the Florists, Funeral, Travel and Food stores, and activities in the Co-op Hall upstairs.

The summer event co-incides with International Co-operatives Day on the first Saturday in July and this year the theme of the event was the Summer of Love, combining memories of 50 years ago with a fantastic display by a local women's Morris Dance group!

The local allotment society lent their gazebos to provide cover for the stalls, and it was great to see a range of community groups, the local Councillor, crafts people and Birmingham Friends of the Earth promoting their activities.  Central England Co-op's own member groups and classes also had a stall encouraging members to get involved with folk dancing, crafts and the Birmingham Film Co-op.

Great Barr Co-op is unique in Birmingham in that it retains a well-used Co-op Hall above the row of shops.  This is looked after by a dance school and the Great Barr Musical Theatre Group who were also in attendance running a stall and promoting their next show.

These community days are a lot of fun, so get the next one in your diary now for Saturday 30th November.  If you're free that day, you'll be made very welcome!

Richard Bickle is an elected Director of Central England Co-operative and serves on the Western Region Membership & Community Council.