The Co-op and Basingstoke book launched (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Basingstoke Archaeological and Historical Society launch A Story of Change

2:00pm Thursday 5th July 2012 in Local By Richard Garfield

BASINGSTOKE Archaeological and Historical Society members have proudly officially launched their latest publication – The Co-op and Basingstoke – A Story of Change.

The already locally acclaimed 135-page illustrated book, edited by Barbara Applin, charts many of the social changes seen in Basingstoke from the time before the Co-operative movement firmly established itself in the town in 1892 with the Basingstoke Co-operative Society, which later became part of PIMCO – The Portsea Island Mutual Co-operative Society, right up to today with The Southern Co-operative.

The launch, attended by society members and guests, who included Basingstoke MP Maria Miller, deputy mayor and mayoress of Basingstoke and Deane, Councillor Dan Putty and Julie Putty, and former borough mayor and Co-op manager Councillor David Leeks, was held at Church Cottage.

The society’s new chairman, Ginnie Pringle described the book as an important piece of social history.

“It is going to provide resource for many people and future generations. It not only tells us about the Co-op in Basingstoke, but the way people used to live in Basingstoke.

“And it is one of those books that once you start to pick up and dip in and out of, you can’t put it down – it’s an excellent book.”

In addition to viewing an exhibition about the book, those attending were also able to tuck into a delicious cake, fashioned into the style of a Co-op token, made by Nicola Turton.

And to help raise funds for the society’s book fund, original illustrations, used in the book and drawn by Nicola and her husband Alan Turton – formerly the curator at Basing House – and Anita Leatherby, were auctioned off.

Barbara, who is a founding member of the society, thanked those who shared their memories and those who were involved in compiling the book.

She said: “It’s been such a team effort – it has been utterly wonderful.”

The accomplished editor also thanked The Southern Co-operative for its support and grants and Mark Jones, editor of The Gazette, for allowing members of the BAHS to go through the newspaper’s archives for the book.

Delighted to accept a copy of the book, Cllr Putty, said: “I am sure that I shall enjoy taking the time to read it and I hope that it sells well.”

The Co-op and Basingstoke – A Story of Change, costs £9.95 and is available at Waterstones, in Festival Place.