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City's 'Co-op cow' lit up for first time since 2001

George Torr
BBC News, Derby
ACJ Media An illuminated sign which reads COOP MILK with an outline of a cowACJ Media
The display was originally lit up in 1955

A historic landmark sign that once illuminated across a city has been relit again after it was turned off more than 20 years ago.

The "Co-op cow" in Derby city centre was turned back on for the first time since 2001 on Saturday with dozens in attendance to mark the occasion.

First erected back in 1955, the metal structure occupied a prominent position on top of the Central Hall building until the turn of the century, when it was repaired and moved to the side of the building.

Elaine Dean, society president of Central Co-op, told the BBC: "As a little girl, it was the Co-op cow. We had Co-op milk, and it was just part of Derby."

ACJ Media A couple dozen people stand in front of the camera in Derby city centre at night. A illuminated sign which reads COOP MILK is in the background. ACJ Media
MPs, councillors, dignitaries from the Co-op Society and other guests such as BBC Radio Derby's Andy Twigge turned out to mark the occasion

The sign has been relit using sustainable LED lighting, which the Co-op said was for "future generations to enjoy".

The original display was designed and built by the Derby Co-op Society as a "beacon" representing health and wellbeing, whilst advertising the Co-op dairy.

It also displayed the slogan "the gateway to health" above a large crimson-coloured cow sculpture, which was then aglow with red and green neon lights.

The cow soon became a symbol that provided a visual welcome home to Derby residents, many of whom remembered it as the official end to their adventures away from the city.

During the redevelopment of Central Hall in 2001, the Co-op cow was removed for roofing repairs.

ACJ Media A sign on top of a building in Derby city centre at night which reads COOP MILKACJ Media
The original sign was first put up in 1955 by the Derby Co-op Society

The following year, a new version of the cow returned to a more sheltered position on the side of the building - as it had previously been affected by wind.

There were attempts to get it relit without success.

Derby City Council leader Nadine Peatfield said: "At a time when people can do our city down, they can forget why they love their city, forget about pride in their place.

"It's so important to tap back into that and remind people of just exactly who we are and why it matters to us."

Derby South MP Baggy Shanker, who was also at the event to mark the sign being relit, said many people over many generations had "special memories" of the installation.

"It's one of the nice stories... I hope the younger generations now get these new memories going forward and tell future generations of the history of the Co-op cow," he said.

Central Co-op The original sign on top of a building in Derby city centre at which reads THE GATEWAY TO HEALTH COOP MILKCentral Co-op
The landmark is known across Derby as a sign that you were home

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