Locals star in film about the birth of co-operation

Actor John Henshaw (centre) with Brent Snape, 31, and Ian Jenkins, 55, from Rochdale.

Two men from Rochdale, with an interest in acting, have found themselves working alongside professionals from film and TV on a major new film marking the birth of co-operation - which is being filmed in Rochdale and Greater Manchester as part of The Co-operative’s activities to highlight 2012 as the International Year of Co-operatives.

Brent Snape from Hurstead and Ian Jenkins, from Shawclough, applied to be a part of the project after reading about the 52-minute feature-film which is inspired by the 1944 film ‘Men of Rochdale’ and is being made and produced by The Co-operative British Youth Film Academy.

Ian Jenkins, 55, said: “I play opposite John Henshaw, I am the market stall holder who sold the tarnished goods. I am loving it, it is a fantastic experience.”

While Brent Snape, 31, said: “It is brilliant. My first time acting and I have got the bug – I would love to be more involved in acting in future.”

The co-directors of the new film, Adam Lee Hamilton and John Montegrande, along with its producer, Kevin Atkinson, worked together on The Co-operative British Youth Film Academy (BYFA) movie ‘Julius Caesar’ which was selected for the Raindance Film Festival in London last autumn. Kevin Atkinson, Operations Director of The Co-operative British Youth Film Academy and producer for the new film, said: “It is great to see first-hand the engagement and the acting calibre that the local community is bringing to this exciting project - through the medium of film we will bring the spirit, heart and belief of the original pioneers to a brand new audience.”

Actor John Henshaw - well known for roles in Early Doors, Born and Bred, Looking for Eric and, Terry Pratchett’s Going Postal - plays the role of John Holt, one of the original members of The Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers.

John Henshaw, said: “I am delighted to be involved with "The Rochdale Pioneers”. It’s a brilliant initiative, BYFA brings together talented people from all backgrounds and all levels of skill to work hard together to make film - it’s good fun, a pleasure to work on, I am really enjoying it.

“The application, dedication and professional standards is inspiring and, it bodes well for the British Film Industry that the wealth of talent out there is being supported, encouraged and nurtured by The Co-operative British Youth Film Academy.”

While stage and TV actor John McArdle – known for his roles in Brookside, Merseybeat and Gallowglass has also joined the cast, playing the role of Dr. Dunlop who agreed to rent his premises – an old woollen warehouse – to the Rochdale Pioneers.

The original 28 ‘Pioneers’ were all working men. After a year of trading (1845) membership had increased to 74 and total takings for the year reached £710. Soon the Pioneers’ fame spread overseas and today, there are one billion members of co-operatives worldwide and, in the UK alone combined sector turnover exceeds £33 Billion.

Mark Robinson-Field, The Co-operative’s National Co-operative and Membership Manager, said: “In 1844 the original Rochdale pioneers set out the ideals which became the basis for the principles on which co-operatives around the world still operate to this day.

“Now, with one billion members of co-operatives world-wide and a thriving co-operative sector enjoying international attention, we believe the time is right for this inspirational story to be re-told.”

The film will be distributed internationally and plans are in place for it to be screened at the co-operative world festival and expo at Manchester Central in autumn 2012.