To highlight Co-op Fortnight 2025, Chelmsford Star hosted a packed Cheese & Wine Evening — a joyful celebration of award-winning Fairtrade and Co-op branded products available across its food stores. The event took place inside Chelmsford’s Quadrant department store, in what may well be its final community event ahead of a proposed closure.
Guests enjoyed an evening of indulgent pairings, laughter, and community spirit as twelve Co-op cheeses and wines were sampled throughout the night. The winning combination? A sparkling toast to Co-op Fairtrade Tilimuqui Brut, perfectly matched with the tangy punch of Co-op Pioneer Crunch Vintage Cheddar — a pairing that stole the show.
The Society’s Membership & Marketing Team, Kevin, Emily, Marianne and Karen, worked hard to ensure the night was a complete success.
The evening featured interactive fun, including the much-enjoyed “Is this a cheese or a motorway service station?” quiz. (Spoiler: Chevington is indeed a cheese, while Pont Abraham remains firmly a pitstop.) Prizes were awarded, and toasts raised in honour of the Society’s proud co-operative legacy.
“It was a real celebration of everything that makes the Co-op special — great quality food and drink, shared values, and a sense of belonging,” said Chelmsford Star’s Vice President, Judy Saunders. “The fact that so many of the wines and cheeses we enjoyed are not only award-winning but also Fairtrade and ethically sourced says a lot about the kind of business we are proud to be part of.”
Chelmsford Star Co-op has long supported Fairtrade and ethical sourcing, and the event highlighted the breadth of quality available under the Co-op label — from bold blues to mature cheddars, and robust reds to delicate whites.
As one of the last events on this year’s member calendar, and possibly the final hosted within the Quadrant, the evening was a heartfelt tribute to Chelmsford Star’s continued community role, its commitment to ethical retail, and its proud co-operative heritage.
“It was a privilege to be part of such a warm, good-humoured evening,” said the evening’s host Neil Bull, Chief Tutor and co-Owner of Essex Wine School. “To share these award winning products in what may be the Quadrant’s final event made the night feel all the more poignant. It was a celebration, but also a farewell, and I think everyone present felt that.”
