A big step towards finally recognising Oldham’s working class Suffragette

Date published: 19 September 2018


The Annie Kenney Project has taken a huge leap forward this week, with the clay statue formally being handed over to the Foundry.

It’s a first glimpse of the statue, with its amazing detail and quality by the hands of sculptor Denise Dutton.

Fundraising has been underway for two years to secure a statue of the Oldham born suffragette.

As the centenary of the first polling day where women had the vote approaches in December 2018, time is pressing to complete the statue and the projects final fundraising efforts.

The plinth to take a statue was installed during the refurbishment of Parliament Square, to grace the steps of the Old Town Hall.

Now £27,000 of the £31,000 needed has been secured.

This is in large part thanks to the efforts of local people and the GMB trade union who ‘Kickstarted’ the fundraising campaign, together with over 50 local events in schools, community centres and in the business community. 

With around £4,000 left to fundraise, there is still plenty of work to do, including dinners, events and sale of limited edition Stan Chow prints of Annie Kenney.

Project chair and local history enthusiast Jim McMahon said: “Annie was an inspiring women who stepped up to change the world.

"Without her and others we would not have made progress in reforming our democracy.

"The statue is more than just an installation but significantly about telling Annie’s story to the next generation. 

"What’s more the statue would have been paid for by public subscription, through the efforts of hundreds of people who feel inspired by her story."