TALKING POLITICS

I RECENTLY raised in Parliament how Rochdale’s own artist, Walter Kershaw, has produced work that has been ‘exceptionally well received from Portugal to Peru’. I put forward the point that it is now time to bring his work home.

I believe we now need to find funding to commission Walter Kershaw to produce a mural in Rochdale to link in with all the other arts and heritage projects that are taking place in the town centre.

Littleborough-based Kershaw, who has a studio on Todmorden Road, has produced famous work right across the world. His notable work includes projects for Manchester United and British Aerospace.

He has also produced work further afield in South America and Europe, as well as a little closer to home in Oldham. It would be superb if we could commission him to do a project just down the road in his home town of Rochdale.

Our town is steeped in rich history and heritage and his work should represent this. It should take people on a visual tour of Rochdale from the co-operative pioneers, through to the stunning town hall, the rise of Gracie Fields and display the town’s sports teams.

Walter Kershaw’s work has stood the test of time, and he is just as influential now as he was 30 years ago. I think it is massively important to have the work of Kershaw standing tall in Rochdale.

He has a genuine following, his work will boost our local economy as people flock to see the mural and not only that, but it will add to the regeneration that’s already taking place.

We must embrace the ‘original Banksy’ as one of Rochdale’s finest and bring his work home.