Ex-arts centre boss dies

THE former head of Grange Arts Centre has died, aged 73.

Tony Allsopp was in charge of the Rochdale Road centre, part of Oldham College, for 20 years from its opening in 1975.

Brought up in West Yorkshire, Mr Allsopp worked as a textile designer before retraining and becoming a drama lecturer. He came to Oldham from Cleveland Technical College and had previously worked as a mobile drama teacher for the West Riding Youth Service.

As head of performing arts and media at Oldham College, he saw the Grange Arts Centre expand from having six to almost 300 students over two decades. It had gained a national reputation by the time he retired in 1995.

Mr Allsopp, who was married to the late Judith, died on April 1. He leaves a son, Tim. The funeral takes place at Haltemprice Crematorium, Willerby, Hull, at 1.30pm on April 12.