Oldham MP Jim McMahon marked International Womens day by inviting sculptor Denise Dutton to Oldham to see the site of Annie Kenney statue in Oldham town centre.
Annie was a key figure in the suffragette movement, and prior to that she lived and worked in Oldham. She was the only working class woman to hold a senior position in the ‘Women’s Social and Political Union’ (WSPU), which spearheaded the campaign for universal suffrage under the banner ‘Votes for Women.’
Denise Dutton is an outstanding sculpture with an attention to detail and skill which creates beautiful installations.
She was the artist behind the Ben Brierley statue, Lancashire dialect poet in Failsworth Pole and it was here Jim met her along with John Crompton from the Failsworth Historical Society. Taking visits to Derbyshire to see the clay being worked on gave Jim an insight into the skill which goes into creating something very special.
“It was fantastic to have Denise visit Oldham on International Women’s Day, as we move closer to having a statue of our suffragette Annie Kenney in the town centre. Denise is an outstanding sculptor, who brought the statue of Ben Brierley to life and helped inspire the local area.
“I hope Annie Kenney will have the same impact on Oldham town centre. I hope it inspires us all to fight for an equal society and that we remember the rights we enjoy today were hard won. They should be guarded and built on.” said Jim
