Cyclists begin journey of co-operation in Rochdale

Andre Martin (left) and his son Charles set off from the Co-Operative Museum on Toad Lane in Rochdale on a 5,500 kilometre cycle ride after saying goodbye to Council Leader Colin Lambert

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A father and son from Canada began a cycle ride in Rochdale this weekend that will take them 5,500 kilometres across Europe over the next eight weeks.

Andre Martin, a professor at Sherbrooke University in the Southern part of Quebec, and his son Charles have been so inspired by the global co-operative movement that they decided to make the epic journey to explore places that have been influenced by the famous co-operative principles, started by the Rochdale Pioneers back in 1844.

Their trip, which officially kicked off on Toad Lane in Rochdale on Saturday will see them arriving in Dover this weekend before cycling across Belgium, Germany, Czechoslovakia, and then into Austria, Italy, France and northern Spain. Along the way they’ll be stopping off at destinations synonymous with the co-operative principles, checking out the people and places that are keeping them going today.

In 2012, Rochdale was named ‘World Capital of Co-operation’ and it was this that provided the inspiration for the idea, said Andre: “Since last year I’ve discovered more about the fascinating co-operative movement and it’s really inspired me. I’d like to promote co-operation and find out a little more about it as we go.

"It’s also twenty years since I crossed Canada by bike so I wanted to do something special to mark the anniversary, and this is perfect.”

Before setting off, Andre and Charles spent a few days in Rochdale and met with Council Leader Colin Lambert, who welcomed the duo to town. They talked about the history of the co-operative movement in Rochdale and how the principles are very much alive and well in the borough, demonstrated by the formation of the biggest housing co-operative in the country last year.

The pair will swop the luxury of Rochdale’s Broadfield Hotel for more basic campsite and bed and breakfast accommodation over the next few weeks but Andre, who cycles up to four times a week at home said they’re determined to enjoy it: “Last time I did 5,000 kilometres it took 41 days, so although we’ve been training hard for a while, maybe I won’t be as quick this time! I intend to take it a little slower, we’re going to stop off and meet people along the way.”

And when it came to deciding where to start the journey he said he had no hesitation: “We just had to start it here in Rochdale. We’ve had a wonderful warm welcome and been very impressed with the town centre, the beautiful town hall and the co-op museum, here where it all began. The sun has been shining on us every day and it’s good to see all the regeneration that’s taking place, it’s exciting to see so much happening, many new developments and the contrast between the old and the new.”

In addition to meeting the council leader, Andre and Charles visited the Co-Op museum on Toad Lane, and got a taste of what it must have been like in 1844, behind the counter in the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society first store.

The 28 Rochdale Pioneers spawned a worldwide movement which is owned by nearly one billion people and, according to the United Nations, serves over half the world’s population.