Co-op film gets TV premiere

AN Oldham film-maker’s latest project is set to receive its TV premiere on Film4.

Former Oldham College student Adam Lee Hamilton joined famous Grasscroft actor John Henshaw in creating “The Rochdale Pioneers”, which marks the setting up of the Co-operative movement more than 150 years ago.

The movie, which tells the story of 28 working men who in 1844 battled a backdrop of poverty and harsh working conditions, will be shown in November.

Adam (32), from Royton, who co-directed the film, said: “The making of ‘The Rochdale Pioneers’ has very much been a community exercise from the start and the amazing reception that this film is getting is still sinking in. It tells the personal stories of the people involved. It is a true story and that is its strength.”

The film, commissioned by the Co-operative British Youth Film Academy, will also receive a special gala screening during Co-operatives United, a global festival of events and exhibitions to be held in Manchester at the end of next month.


Only a small number of our daily stories appear, heavily edited, on this site. For the full story read our print or eChron editions.
Follow us on Twitter - @OldhamChronicle