Video: Rochdale Pioneers story brought to life through animation

A short animated film telling the inspiring story of the Rochdale Pioneers has been created.

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A short animated film telling the inspiring story of the Rochdale Pioneers has been created.

The film, created by Accrington-based Huckleberry Films, includes original photographs and material from the Co-operative Heritage Trust archives.

Entitled ‘New Pioneers’ the film, almost five minutes long, shows the Rochdale Pioneers open their first co-operative shop in Toad Lane in 1844.

It then shows how co-operation spread across the country.

The film goes on to outline the concepts of the co-operative and how at the time they were ‘ahead of their time.’

It concludes back at Toad Lane, encouraging people to visit the Rochdale Pioneers Museum when it re-opens.

The film was commissioned by the Outreach Team at the Co-operative College and was shown at a VIP international event in Manchester.

A statement on the Huckleberry website, reads: “We were really happy with how the 'New Pioneers' film turned out - and the way that the visuals compliment the narration, reinforcing the large amount of information presented. The narration was read by Caroline from Huckleberry FIlms - who really enjoyed being turned into an animated creation.”