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Name street after local hero

Chris Jones
17/ 4/2008

RESIDENTS on Langley are asking developers to help them honour one of the estate's most famous sons.

It's 30 years since The Spongers, written by playwright and former estate resident Jim Allen was on our screens.

And with plans to construct a new 300-house estate on land close to Latrigg Crescent, residents are suggesting developers in charge of the project to name a street after the great man.

One resident said: "It would be very fitting if we could honour Jim Allen, especially as its 30 years since The Spongers, which was set and filmed and the estate, was on TV.

"In Liverpool they have plaques all over the city commemorating their local heroes and it's something we should consider doing here.

"Naming a street on this new development would not only honour the great man, it would also help instil some community pride among people."

The developers in charge of the scheme, Lovell, have given a warm reception to the idea.

Lovell regional director Nigel Yates said: "It’s very early stages for the proposed new development at the Langley estate which is currently going through the planning process.

"As things progress, we would be happy to consider naming one of the new roads after Jim Allen. Any road names put forward for the proposed development will have to be approved by Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council’s building control department."

The planning application to construct the new development is being considered by planners at Rochdale Council.

Jim Allen, who died in 1999, worked as a builder and helped construct the Langley estate in the 1950s before settling there with his family.

He wrote extensively during his life, and based two of his works - The Spongers, a 1978 BBC play, and Raining Stones, an acclaimed film directed by Ken Loach in 1993, on Langley.

He worked with Loach on two more films, as well as writing for Coronation Street and numerous magazine and newspaper articles.

His work was frequently infused with the political hopes of the left-wing, a conviction he carried with him throughout his life.

It was these beliefs that initially led him to Langley estate in the 1950s as a builder after he was forced to find a new trade after being barred from every mine in the UK for his outspoken political views.

Are there any other famous faces on Langley you think should have streets named after them? Perhaps you would like to see a Paul Scholes Way or Thomas Langley Road? Send your views to Middleton Guardian Letters, 24a Fountain Street, Middleton, M24 1AH or email us at: middletonguardian@menwn.co.uk

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