In addition to the winter solstice, today is the 173rd anniversary of the first day of operation for the Rochdale Society of Pioneers. They had barely £20 of goods to sell. and were mocked by a crowd that had gathered on Toad Lane. When they discovered that they power company would not provide service (due to pressure from competing merchants), they used candles out of their inventory for light--a befitting action for the winter solstice. #rochdale #coop #solsticestories