Sir Cyril Smith painting by local artist aquired by Ogden Trust

John Kay, Sir Cyril Smith and Colin Greenhalgh

Sir Cyril Smith welcomed John Kay, Chairman of the Rochdale NSPCC Business Group and a Director of Rochdale Online, to his home at Emma Street Rochdale this afternoon (Friday 1 February).

The Odgen Trust, which was set up by Sir Peter Ogden, has purchased another painting of Sir Cyril Smith by Rochdale Artist Paul Temple. The sale proceeds are all benefiting the NSPCC and as Tim Simmonds, Chief Executive of the Ogden Trust and Colin Greenhalgh from the Trust were also visiting Sir Cyril, Mr Kay took the opportunity to hand over the painting.

Sir Cyril Smith said: “I am delighted to share the painting with two good friends. John’s Mother, Emma Kay, was well known to me from the Unitarian Sunday School and I knew of John before he did! I think that the painting is a credit to the artist and I hope that he is also very satisfied with it.”  Sir Cyril then signed the back of the painting to add to its value.

Colin Greenhalgh commented: “It is my first visit to see Sir Cyril but I have always admired the independent voice which he has always brought to the House of Commons.”

Tim Simmons said: “This is a unique and special painting of Sir Cyril and we are delighted to have acquired it and will hang it in Hughes Hall at Cambridge University where the Ogden Trust is based.

"And as for John Kay, he was just delighted to have helped the NSPCC Business Group to raise so much money to help children in the North West."