An Early Agricultural Co-Operative - by Neil Mitchell

(Torque 40)

In 1911, at a meeting held in Whitehaven. a group of local farmers decided to form an Agricultural Co-operative that would cater for their feed and forage requirements. During the following years the company, West Cumberland Farmers Trading Society Ltd. (WCF) grew in strength. Premises were opened both sides of the border, but predominantly around the county. In 1953, after the company was appointed as an Authorised Distributor for Shell Mex BP, they formed a Fuels Division. Business developed steadily. including an agreed arrangement that allowed existing customers, located outside their distribution area, to have their fuel needs delivered by local distributors but to have WC F invoice them with their other agricultural requirements. In 1973, although Shell BP ceased joint marketing, WCF continued the distribution of BP products. The range of agricultural products stocked also grew, with own collection facilities or deliveries by own fleet of vehicles being available from their mills/stores.

In 1987 WCF changed its limited company status with employees and farmers becoming the major shareholders. Over the years market changes and trading conditions have seen a number of former activities being sold Off or discontinued. One of the most significant took place in 1990 when the animal feed interests together with mills/stores were sold off to Preston Farmers. Nowadays the company is subdivided with each division catering for specific markets.

- Potatoes — Seed for growers and retail outlets is supplied from Perth, whilst requirements for processors and crisp factories are dealt with from a Yorkshire store.

- Retail Country Centres — Apart from stocking products for the amateur gardener, these cater for outdoor pursuits as well as the equestrian and pet care market.

- Chilled Distribution Haulage — This is administered from the former Hague Transport depot in Briars Lane near Ormskirk. This previously also served as a WCF vegetable pre-packing unit.

- Fuel — Regulated by 5 Area Offices, where supplies are delivered both sides of the border from their respective Distribution Centres and Outstations. The range of customers include construction sites, industrial premises, domestic users and filling stations as well as the original outlet, the agricultural sector.

To cope with varying sized orders and restricted access to some rural premises, the fleet of some 40 tankers of various sizes are manned by experienced local drivers. To assist deliveries and avoid unnecessary mileage, all are fitted with modern onboard computer systems. WCF has used Leyland vehicles from early days. Although today's fleet is operated through contract hire and maintenance arrangements, the majority are sourced from DAF, many of whose models are now being built in the Leyland Trucks factory.

CAO 840 was a new Leyland Cub SKZ3 with body by Myers & Bowman, new to West Cumberland Farmers' Trading Society Ltd., Whitehaven in July 1937. (BCVM Archive L019953)

In October 1969. this Super Comet, BWJV 53211, was used on local delivery work in Shell BP livery. Note the top loading gantry that was used tofill tankers at this time.(BCVM Archive 1.104643)

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