History of the United Co-operative Baking Society Ltd.

by William Reid

WILLIAM BARCLAY.

The name of William Barclay will always be associated with the Scottish Co-operative Convalescent Homes Association, which he helped to found, and for which he worked earnestly and enthusiastically. In the early days of the U.C.B.S. he was associated with St Rollox Society, and it was as a member of that society that he was appointed to the chair of the Baking Society in 1870. He continued to act as chairman for fifteen months only, and then severed his connection with the committee. In his later years he was associated with Kinning Park Society, and it was as a member of that society that he did his work in connection with the Homes Association.

THOMAS SLATER.

When Mr David Smith resigned the secretaryship of the Society to take up its management he was succeeded by Mr Thomas Slater, who represented London Road Society on the board, and Mr Slater continued to act as secretary until the end of 1887. During his term of office Mr Slater had proven himself a most efficient and painstaking secretary, and it was due to his initiative that the ground annual of the St James Street property was purchased by the Society. After ceasing his official connection with the Society he continued to take a keen interest in its affairs and at times even to criticise the policy of the directors through the columns of the press.

ANDREW BROWN.

It is probable that it was to the wise guidance of Mr Andrew Brown more than to the work of any other man that the Baking Society was able to overcome the difficulties of its early days. He was appointed to the chair in 1872, and continued to act as president during all the strenuous days when the proposals for building a branch bakery farther west were being discussed with vigour. When he became president the Society had many difficulties to contend with, not the least of which were inefficient workmen, while shortage of money retarded its operations to a very great extent. Mr Brown continued to act as chairman until his society—Paisley Provident—withdrew from membership at the end of 1880. All those who had the pleasure of knowing him speak of him as a cautious leader, shrewd and clear-sighted, who always took a business view of the proposals which came before the committee. Thus he was able to steer clear of the many pitfalls which lined the pathway of his Society.

ALEXANDER FRASER.

Mr Alexander Fraser succeeded Mr Brown in the chair. At the time of his appointment to the chair he had been continuously a member of the board of the Society from March 1873, as the representative of Busby Society, and he continued to perform the duties of president of the Society until the quarterly meeting which was held in December 1887. Mr Fraser had thus an unbroken connection with the committee of the Society for the long period of fourteen years, until then the longest period during which any member had filled a seat on the board. During his term of office he had seen the Society grow wondrously. He had seen it become too big for its home at St James Street, and had steered it safely to its new home, erected specially for its occupation, at M‘Neil Street, and he felt that, that task accomplished, he did well to lay aside his task. He was a worthy successor to Mr Brown and a worthy predecessor of the men who followed him.

JOHN FERGUSON.

Mr Fraser was succeeded by Mr John Ferguson, of Glasgow Eastern Society. Before Mr Ferguson came to the Baking Society’s board he had filled many positions of responsibility in the Eastern Society. He was member of the committee for a number of years, a member of the first educational committee of the society when it was formed in 1876, and was also president of the society for a number of years. In his own society and in the Baking Society he did good work for Co-operation, and was much respected by all who came into contact with him. He, too, joined the great majority a number of years ago.