Papers of Edgar H. Topley - Ten Acres & Stirchley and Blackley Co-operative Societies

Scope and Content

The collection consists of records relating to Mr Edgar H. Topley's involvement with the Blackley Co-operative Society and the Ten Acres & Stirchley Co-operative Society. The records include:

  • photographs of Edgar H. Topley and his associates within the Societies
  • certificates of achievement awarded to Edgar H. Topley
  • publications from the Blackley Co-operative Society and the Ten Acres & Stirchley Co-operative Society

Administrative / Biographical History

Mr Edgar H. Topley served on the staff of Mansfield, Sutton and District Co-operative Society for fourteen years before going to Blackley Co-operative Society in 1930. He served as branch manager of Barnes Green for four years until being appointed grocery manager and buyer for the Society. From the Co-operative Union he gained certificates and the Union’s scholarship for Salesmanship. He also held certificates from the Institute of Certified Grocers. Edgar H. Topley’s business motto was described in The Wheatsheaf publication of March 1936 as being “Harmony and efficiency go hand in hand”. In 1943 he was appointed grocery manager and buyer for the Ten Acres and Stirchley Society following his success in increasing grocery trade within Blackley Society by 50 percent. Edgar H. Topley was chairman of the Co-operative Grocery Manager’s Conference that took place from 22-26 March 1963.

Sources: X64/3/2 The Wheatsheaf, March 1936; X64/3/3 The Wheatsheaf, Vol. 47, No. 561, April 1943; X64/3/5 The Co-operative Grocer, Vol. 1, No. 2, March 1963.

Access Information

The collection is open to any accredited reader, subject to the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018.

Some files in this collection are subject to Data Protection legislation as they contain sensitive information and material under 30 years old is closed to access. It is advised that you contact the Archivist before visiting.

Acquisition Information

Donated by the Topley family.

Other Finding Aids

No other finding aids exist.

Archivist's Note

Description compiled by T.M., Work Placement, 05/01/2016