Don't vote Lib Dem says Lib Dem agent!

Don't vote Lib Dem says Lib Dem agent!

In a post on the Rochdale Online message board just prior to last year's local elections, Lib Dem agent David Hennigan urged voters NOT to vote Lib Dem if a new arts centre had not been sorted in Rochdale town centre by April this year: "Discussions have been ongoing for months ... and if this is not sorted by this time next year hammer us and DON'T VOTE FOR US!"

With that deadline fast approaching, and no progress as yet made, Rochdale Online reminded Mr Hennigan that he can expect his political opponents to be publishing his call not to vote Lib Dem on all election material this May and moreover that they would be calling for him to honour his promise to "happily quit my job" if "it's not sorted by next year".

Mr Hennigan has given a lengthy response to that reminder in which he recommits himself to the promises he, and his party leader Alan Taylor, backed by Lib Dem MP Paul Rowen, made to the people of Rochdale.

He said: "In terms of building up public moral, there’s nothing better than a new art’s centre.  I remember singing in the Manchester Boy’s Choir at the opening of the Bridgewater Hall – many moons ago.  The fantastic partnership between the Council and private sector companies saw the establishment of this cultural triumph. The last time I was there was in 2001 when the charity organisation my family organised - Young, Gifted and Green - raised over £15,000 for the Francis House Hospice in Manchester.  I remember, as I set up residence in the conductor’s room, marvelling at some of the artists that have performed in this great hall.

"When you look around the country, it is important to note the effect that an Arts Centre has.  The Bridgewater Hall, built after the IRA bomb of 1992, kick-started the regeneration of that side of Manchester.  A simple look at the Lowry in Salford offers the same result.  When you look across Greater Manchester and in places like Burnley, with the new Youth Theatre, it illustrates ambition.  In Bury, the Met continues to attract a wide range of artists to keep all ages interested.  The fact of the matter is that Rochdale lacks and needs the chance to offer the same type of facility.  At the Annual Music Service's 'Christmas Cracker' at the Gracie Fields Theatre, the compere, Ken Smith, called for a bigger Christmas Tree.  You’d bet your bottom dollar that he would be more enthusiastic if we offered him a new venue.

"So why do we deserve a new arts centre?  Well, my boss, MP Paul Rowen, has already outlined the key benefits in terms of opportunity.  The regeneration of our town will be soulless without the input of a cultural impact.  The opportunity, not just to bring in famous artists to our town but also the opportunity for our homebred, local musicians to perform in front of big audiences in a quality venue will be invaluable.  Rochdale Youth Orchestra, under the inspirational Sue Verity would have a new home that would inspire their musicians to continue their efforts.  Lisa Stansfield, announced that she was nervous taking over from the late, great Malcolm Arnold as President of our Orchestra.  Imagine her pride if we had a new arts centre!

"Wardle Anderson Brass and other orchestras would have a new home.  I remember my choir winning the National Choral Championship at the Royal Festival Hall in 1987 – musicians from Wardle were on the same bill.  Imagine their reach to Rochdale folk being extended! I had heard of Wardle before I has heard of Rochdale!  Imagine my surprise when after featuring in my first (and only film) with Michael Williams, the husband of the Oscar-winning star Judi Dench, in Angel Voices, that the man appearing with us on TVAM in 1991 was Cyril Smith.  We appeared at the Gracie Fields Theatre weeks after... the first time I’d met Cyril Smith, came to Rochdale and met a very young Paul Rowen.

"So, just like Alan Taylor and Roger Ellis I want to see action.  The fact that so many bands have to travel out of our town for recognition should hurt us (I was the one who turned down Oasis because I didn’t want Liam - Who I knew from school because I didn’t rate his band!).

"Rochdale deserves a venue because you deserve the opportunity."