Dec 5, 2014

North Wellington Co-op writes its own history book!

Members attending North Wellington Co-operative's recent Annual Meeting were pleasantly surprised to learn about a newly published book that tells the many stories that make up the 70 years of history for the co-op.

The authors of the book are past general manager of the co-op Bill Chamberlain along with his daughter Cathy Chamberlain who is a long-time co-operative communicator. They took this project on as a labour-of-love wanting to produce the 100-page history book so that others in the co-op community could reflect on the past and celebrate the present. 

North Wellington Co-op was established in 1944 and has survived through many changes in agriculture, economic downturns and a pension crisis. Today the co-op is a thriving community icon in the towns of Harriston, Durham, Hanover and Mount Forest with an annual sales figure of close to $34M and about 5,000 member-owners. 

"Congratulations to all those who have worked with such dedication in the past and today," says the co-operative's general manager Kelly Boyle. "I truly admire the foresight of those who fashioned the foundation of our co-operative for success over the past 70 years."

The new book was well received by members of the co-op and will be sold in all four of the co-operatives FS stores. Some of the books will be given to local libraries and historical societies.


             Bill Chamberlain, author of new book, signs his new publication during North Wellington Co-operatives Annual Meeting. (Right) is Cathy Chamberlain, editor of the book and long-time co-op communicator with Mollie Loughran, NWC accounts receivable clerk.