Mr S.F Veness

Mr Sidney F Veness was appointed General Manager of the Yarmouth Co-op Society in succession to Mr H. Samuel in 1934, and had a long and useful career in the Society's service.

He joined the society in March 1903, when the staff numbered only seven and there was only one Branch (Northgate Street). In 1906 he took charge of the High Street, Gorleston Branch when it was opened.

He returned to Yarmouth after a few years to take over the post of Central Grocery Manager. In the war he served in Egypt from 1915 to 1919, re-entering the Society's service on being demobilised. He has since had charge of several branches, including those at Gorleston, Stalham, Blackfriars Road, Admiralty Road and Lichfield Road.

In 1930 he was appointed warehouse Forman and assistant to the general manager (Mr Samuel) and it was from this position that he received promotion when Mr Samuel was appointed to take charge of the Lowestoft Society.

Mr Veness in total served under six general managers, and for many years was president of the Co-operative Employees Trade Union and for some time he was a member of the Trades Council.

He was also Vice-president of the local Employees Welfare Association since its inception, until in 1935 when he was appointed president.

Mr Veness was also a member of the Society's Educational Committee, having served as secretary and Chairman.

He was also very popular with the staff, it was reported in the Yarmouth Mercury in June 1935 that his appointment to general manager was "very popular" and his relationship with the staff was "harmonious as ever".