The Co-op Treats
The Kent Co-operative Societies had branches in Rainham, Chatham, Rochester and Gillingham and held their annual ‘Treat’, or ‘Fete’ for the local population in local parks in each of the towns. The late Alan Major recalled the Rainham Co-op ‘Treat’ or ‘Fete’. He lived locally and his father was employed as a shop assistant and roundsman at the local Co-op Branch in Rainham. He recalled tales in the December 1986 issue of Bygone Kent, some of which are shared here. ‘At least as far back as 1910/11 up to 1915 a Coop ‘Treat’ had been held in Rainham Recreation ground, with ordinary sports, races etc. Mr Henry Samson the Co-op’s baker from 1896 to 1915, made bread, swiss rolls and 15 inch long slab cakes at Rainham’s Co-op bakehouse for these ‘Treats’.
Photo above showing W.Samson, E.Packer, K.Jones, W.Costen, B.Reeves at a Co-op treat in the 1920s.
In the 1920s the ‘Treat’ was also preceded by a Carnival Procession through Rainham. Rainham’s Co-op Carnival Procession started at Longley Road, up Station Road, along the High Street and Broad Walk to the ‘Men of Kent’ and back again but continuing down Station Road to the Recreation Ground. Children of Co-op members would gather in Station Road and climb aboard the horsedrawn carts and Motor vehicles to take part in the Carnival. Local farmers and other Rainham businessmen loaned their horses and carts and lorries for the purpose. These vehicles were suitably gaily adorned with streamers and similar. In addition there were floats advertising C.W.S. (Co-op brand) goods. Prizes were received for the best floats and best fancy dress costumes in a variety of classes and the vehicles gradually dispersed for the fun to continue on the Recreation ground. The Co-op used to provide the coloured crepe paper etc for anyone intending to enter in fancy dress as either Co-op or non Co-op subjects or characters. The last ‘Treat’ that had a preceding carnival was held about 1931 after which the police refused permission for it to be held on the High Street route. After that he Co-op ‘Treat’ continued with the help and support of those who had previously been involved from the the Co-op employees and families. Floats and Fancy Dress on the Rec and the ‘Treats’ teatime party for the children continued. Only the children of co-op employees and members were entitled to the tea-time treat.
The children with ‘tickets’ would sit in long rows across the grass at the Rec and volunteer lady members of the Rainham Co-op Women’s Guild would walk along with large wicker clothes baskets filled with sandwiches, bread and butter, buns and slices of various different cakes. They would be followed by other lady helpers carrying long white enamel jugs of tea to be poured into the dozens of outward thrust cups and mugs. When the children had finished eating, members’ children could also have free rides on the swings, roundabout, coconut shies, hoopla and other sideshows. The children of the non-members had to pay for the privilege of sitting down to eat and enjoy the swing rides etc. The ‘Treat’ was aimed at being a perk for Co-op membership.
Penfold’s Fair, with a magnificent roundabout and all the rides, was an attraction along with the sideshows at the ‘Treat’ and set up on the Rec. There were running races, egg and spoon and sack races for boys and girls whose parents had obtained tickets from the Co-op previously for them to enter. Races for adults were held after Tea or in the early evening, the winners receiving ‘useful prizes’.
What would seem nowadays to be a somewhat amusing contest on ‘Treat’ day in the 1930s was to clean a silver spoon which had been made really black and tarnished. Alan recalls, ‘The spoon, along with a yellow cloth and a tin of C.W.S. Silvo polish was laid out for each competitor and on the word ‘go’ the children started to clean vigorously. A time limit was set after which the judges judged for cleanliness and brightness. The prize? A big package of C.W.S. products - brass polish, silver polish, polishing cloths, blacking etc.!
Maypole dancing was another attraction in the 1920s with beribboned, white-dressed local girls trained by a Mrs Brunning whose father, Mr Bardon, was President of the Rainham Co-op at the time. It was such an exciting day and so enjoyed by the local population of Rainham and those living in Upchurch and Lower Halstow. Sadly Co-op involvement with the ‘Treats’ ended before the 1939 War but it was a fun day with crowds of lively people enjoying themselves.
An extra perk enjoyed by the local children of the Council School in Solomon Road, was on the Monday after the ‘Treat’. As soon as they left their classes for dinner they raced to the corner of the Rec and on their hands and knees turned over every blade of grass, in the hope of finding dropped coins. Sometimes they were rewarded with pennies and halfpennies but just occasionally a shiny silver sixpence was found half trodden into the turf!
As told to Maggie Francis by the late Alan Major
