'The Derby Co-op cow sign is how we knew we were home'
After it first lit up the skyline in 1955 with its red and green neon lights, the "Co-op cow" sign soon became well-loved, and a signal to the people of Derby that they were home. More than 20 years ago, the landmark on top of Derby's Central Hall was re-positioned on the side of the building, but some time after the lights went off and never came on again, leaving locals udderly upset.On Saturday, it will finally moo-ve out of the darkness, with its switch-on due to take place at about 19:00 GMT.The Co-op cow may be unfamiliar to younger generations, but for many older residents of the city, they say it is part of their childhood.
The Central Co-op said the cow was being re-lit as part of the celebration of the United Nations' International Year of Cooperatives 2025.Elaine Dean, society president of Central Co-op, told the BBC: "After over 20 years of darkness, we will have light and people will see the cow again."She said she remembered it being put up, and going to see it. "It was always there - as everyone says, it is the sign that you are coming home to Derby when you see it in the distance," she said."As a little girl, it was the Co-op cow. We had Co-op milk, and it was just part of Derby."
The Co-op cow: A history
1955: The sign was put up on top of Derby's Central Hall building. It displayed the slogan "the gateway to health" lit with green neon lights, above a giant crimson cow figure, lit in red neon, and next to white lettering saying "Co-op milk"2001: During the redevelopment of Central Hall, the Co-op cow was removed for roofing repairs2002: A new version of the cow returned to a more sheltered position on the side of the building - as it had previously been "buffeted by the winds and the weather", said Mrs Dean - and was lit again. Some time after this, it went off, and Mrs Dean said over the years she had tried to get it re-lit, without success, and was told the switch had been lost2010: Derby musician Kevin Moore wrote a song called The Co-op Cow2025: The sign was re-wired and fitted with white LED lighting, and on 1 March will be switched on again
Mrs Dean said she remembered when the cow was re-lit in its new position, in 2002. She said: "It was lit up by Ted Pickard, the electrician, and I was up there on the roof at the time. We had a crowd of people up there to celebrate. "Then it went off, and it was off for ages, and the Co-op vacated the Central Hall premises as retail departments and nobody bothered about it."I asked several times if it could be lit up again."
She said this January, following a chat with Dame Margaret Beckett, the former Labour MP for Derby South, about the landmark, Mrs Dean decided to ask again. She said Central Co-op chief executive Debbie Robinson agreed, saying it would be "marvellous". Mrs Dean added: "It will be just wonderful - so many people have asked to have it re-lit and [BBC Radio Derby breakfast presenter] Andy Twigge has been one of those."
Kevin Moore, who wrote a song about the landmark, The Co-op Cow, said he was "pretty ecstatic" about the news. He said: "It is part of my childhood. People outside of Derby probably wonder what we are talking about, but it means a lot to me."I remember as a child coming home from Matlock from my grandmother's house and it would be there floating ethereally in the sky and it was 'we are nearly home'."It is synonymous with a certain generation I think. I love the fact it is coming back to life."Mr Moore said he was planning to remix his song to coincide with the "rebirth" of the Co-op cow.
Mr Twigge, who has asked about the cow being re-lit on his show, said growing up, he would go into Derby on the number seven bus from Heanor.He said: "You knew you were in Derby because you could see the Co-op cow, and when you went in at night time, it was all lit up. It's iconic."For people that can remember it originally, it's huge. For me, the Co-op cow is Derby. "Like Rolls-Royce, the railways and the Royal Crown Derby, so is the Co-op cow."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
21-06-2025
- Glasgow Times
The Glasgow care home where residents are learning Italian
in this small group, most are in their late 80s and 90s, many are living with dementia, and all are about to achieve an SQA Level 2 qualification in Italian. Today is their final lesson and teacher Gloria Lattanzi is a delight, full of energy and laughter, as she leads her students through their workbooks, gently cajoling them into recalling things they have learned over the last 10 weeks. (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) She covers Italian geography, history, art and music, peppering her lesson with interesting facts. 'Leonardo da Vinci was a vegetarian,' she informs the room, before a quick quiz tests everyone's knowledge of colours and numbers, and they round off the session by listening to a beautiful Italian song. 'It is a real privilege for me to teach these people, they are so enthusiastic, so full of joy,' beams Gloria. 'And they are good. They have all learned a lot, and remember much of what I have taught them.' (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) Activity co-ordinator Shareen Beg explains: 'Our home prioritises dignity, engagement and wellbeing for people living with dementia and this project is part of a wider effort to create stimulating and inclusive activities. 'Some of our residents are native Italian speakers, so we thought it would be good to learn their language. "Lingo Flamingo, an organisation that specialises in bringing language learning to older adults, have been delivering the sessions and it has been a lot of fun.' (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) She adds, smiling: 'We are incredibly proud of them all – it's a pleasure to watch them flourish, step out of their comfort zones and engage with fellow residents. It has been heartwarming and inspiring.' Agnese Campopiano (Image: Anne Marie McGhie) Agnese Campopiano was born in Santa Maria Oliveto, a small town north of Naples. She came to Glasgow at the age of 18. 'It was the 1950s and many Italians came to Scotland looking for work,' explains her daughter, Anne Marie McGhie. 'She lived with an aunt and uncle on Woodlands Road. She met my dad, Mario, in Glasgow – he too had left Italy as a teenager. He ran a chip shop on Dumbarton Road and they got married in 1959.' Agnese with her husband Mario and family Annamaria (Anne Marie), Luciana and Carlo (Image: Anne Marie McGhie) Both Anne Marie and her sister Luciana were born in St Francis Maternity Hospital, which stood on the site of the current care home. Their brother, Carlo, was born in 1968. Agnese, who was a home help and retired at 60, in 1995, has been diagnosed with vascular dementia. Her short term memory has been affected, says her daughter. (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) 'She loves the Italian classes,' she adds, smiling. 'It gives her a lot of joy.' The lessons have also sparked memories for fellow Father George Gillespie, who worked in Rome for 13 years. 'I did parish work, and spent some time at the Vatican,' he explains. 'I learned a little bit of Italian, not much, but I'm finding these lessons very good.' (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) Father Robert Hill moved into St Francis's around 18 months ago. He and his sister Carlyn grew up in Calton, 'I love the classes, they are great fun and we learn a lot,' he says. (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) Carlyn adds: 'The classes are a great idea. I know Robert has thoroughly enjoyed being part of it. It gives him a sense of purpose, it's really worthwhile.' She adds: 'It's fascinating to see how the brain works. He has been diagnosed with a mild cognitive impairment, and often he can find it difficult to make himself understood in English. "But then he speaks Italian, and all he has learned comes back and it's really quite something. 'It's a challenge, but the teachers are just fantastic and make it a lot of fun.' Gloria teaches with enthusiasm and joy (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) Shareen, and fellow activity co-ordinators Davina Rowan and Janet Johny, are organising a special graduation ceremony for the residents. 'It's been a great 10 weeks,' says Shareen, smiling. 'It's been wonderful to hear Agnese speak her native language, and to see the joy the classes bring everyone. "With hearts full of pride and joy, we will have a party to celebrate their incredible journey.'
Telegraph
14-06-2025
- Telegraph
Co-pilot error suspected in new Air India crash theory
The co-pilot of Air India Flight AI171 may have made a fatal error, causing the crash that killed 241 people onboard and dozens more on the ground, an aviation expert has claimed. Captain Steve Scheibner, a veteran commercial airline pilot, claims the London Gatwick-bound 787 Dreamliner co-pilot may have been asked to retract the landing gear but pulled the wrong lever and instead raised the flaps. The former American Airlines pilot's claims, broadcast on his YouTube channel, came as it emerged air accident investigators in India were planning to interview pilots and crew who had flown in the plane in the week leading up to the crash. It is hoped they may hold clues as to why the plane crashed just minutes after take off from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on June 12. Meanwhile, investigators are understood to have begun decoding the black box's flight data to try to establish exactly what happened before the crash. Captain Steve believes a simple catastrophic error may have caused the plane to plunge from the sky. 'Here's what I think happened, again folks this is just my opinion,' he said. 'I think the pilot flying said to the co-pilot 'gear up' at the appropriate time. I think the co-pilot grabbed the flap handle and raised the flaps, instead of the gear. 'If that happened, this explains a lot of why this aeroplane stopped flying.' He explained how the wings would normally bend during take-off as the lift forces it into the air. But video footage appears to not show that happening, fuelling speculation that the flaps, used to help lift the plane, had been retracted. The landing gear also remained down, despite it being normal procedure to lift them within a few seconds of clearing the Tarmac. Aviation experts have analysed the take-off footage and also highlighted concerns that the flaps appear to have been retracted and the undercarriage remains down. Marco Chan, a former pilot and a senior lecturer at Buckinghamshire New University, told the BBC: 'That would point to potential human error if flaps aren't set correctly. But the resolution of the video is too low to confirm that.' About 30 seconds after take-off, the plane dips and descends before exploding into a fireball as it crashes into buildings. Both pilot Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and co-pilot Clive Kunder are believed among the dead. Mr Sabharwal had 8,200 hours of experience. Mr Kunder had 1,100 hours. The cause of the crash remains a mystery, with theories focusing on whether it was a catastrophic mechanical failure or pilot errors. A source linked to the investigation told Reuters that India's aviation regulator has ordered safety checks on the Boeing 787 fleet. He added that the official inquiry was initially focusing on engine thrust, flaps, and why the landing gear remained down after the plane was airborne. The India-based source said another aspect of the investigation would look at Air India's maintenance of the aircraft. Other theories include the possibility of two air strikes taking out both engines, however this is thought unlikely. An anti-terrorism team is understood to be part of the official investigation, although this is thought to be routine. A team of four investigators from the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has arrived in India to join experts from the US and India. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the British sole crash survivor, described seeing 'lights flickering' moments after take-off. It remains unclear whether this was in any way connected to any wider failings, in part because the circuitry that controls internal lights is separate to electrical supplies that help fly the plane. The aircraft began service in 2013 and was delivered to Air India in January 2014. It had completed 700 flights in the year leading up to the disaster. It is understood the flight number AI 171 is to be discontinued. It will be replaced with the flight number AI159.
South Wales Argus
10-06-2025
- South Wales Argus
Monmouthshire Council planning decisions this week
Silver birch approved for removal A dangerously leaning silver birch tree was approved for removal by a delegated officer in Monmouthshire. The tree was threatening a house, power line, and heating oil supply pipe. Usk store to undergo redevelopment The Co-op store on Bridge Street, Usk, will see a range of upgrades to its building and infrastructure. Approved plans include the installation of a new gas cooler, DA pack, and air conditioning units in the rear yard, replacing existing equipment. The timber shop fronts will be repaired and redecorated to match the current appearance. The main entrance canopy will receive new boxing at its base to address damage to the timber columns. Additional improvements include new ventilation systems, external LED lighting, and internal refurbishments such as upgraded flooring, ceilings, and fire boarding. The application was granted listed building consent on June 3. Glamping site approved in Tintern A sustainable glamping site in Tintern has been approved by planners. The seasonal development includes six bell tents, two compost toilets, and a shower block at Cross Farm, Ravensnest Wood Road. Cottage set for energy efficiency upgrades A cottage near Tintern is set for energy efficiency upgrades. Monmouthshire County Council has approved plans to retrofit The Retreat, located on Barbadoes Hill, with external wall insulation and three new Velux roof windows. The insulation will be applied to all four sides of the property and finished with a white render. The application was approved by delegated decision on June 2. Roof light given green light in Caerwent A homeowner has been granted permission to add an extra roof light to their home. Caerwent Community Council granted the applicant's request for a property on Merton Green, Caerwent, on May 29. Garden to become driveway in Chepstow A front garden is set to be converted into a driveway. Monmouthshire County Council has approved a request to replace the lawn at 23 Western Avenue in Chepstow with a hard-surfaced parking area. The proposed driveway will measure six metres by 6.5 metres. The application was approved on June 2. Forestry access track plans withdrawn Elsewhere, plans to build a forestry access track in Devauden have been withdrawn. The track was planned to support tree felling operations in Little Tredean Wood, where mature larch trees have been infected with Phytophthora ramorum. The proposal was withdrawn on June 3. Garden extension in Devauden approved Meanwhile, a bungalow's garden will be extended after planning permission was granted. The land will be incorporated into the residential garden at Pen Y Bryn Bungalow, Cobblers Hill, Devauden. Gym and home office approved in Newchurch A new gym and home office outbuilding at Pyotts Cottage, Coed Llifos Road, Newchurch, has been approved. The construction was greenlit by a delegated officer. Yew tree to be pruned to protect St Tysois Church Finally, a historic yew tree will be pruned to protect a village church. Located in the churchyard of St Tysois Church in Llansoy, near Usk, the tree will be trimmed to prevent overhanging branches from damaging the building or impeding access. Monmouthshire County Council approved the plans on June 2. The work will raise the tree's crown to two metres and clear branches within three metres of the church on its western side. The application also includes the removal of epicormic shoots from the trunk.
