Student uses Town Hall as photographic backdrop

Kate Leach, in her final year studying for a degree in Art and Design at the University of Leeds

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A student from Rochdale had the opportunity to use Rochdale Town Hall as the location for the fashion styling and photography module of her degree.

Kate Leach, in her final year studying for a degree in Art and Design at the University of Leeds, inspiration was the 1920s and F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. She explained: "In keeping with the theme, I wanted the location to be pre-1920s, opulent, beautiful and dramatic. Whilst there are some impressive buildings in Leeds, there are few buildings I know which are more grand and beautiful than Rochdale Town Hall.

"I have admired the Town Hall since I was a child. It’s a truly stunning building. Whilst I was familiar with the public areas of the building, I was extremely lucky to be given permission to photograph my model in various areas of the Town Hall that I had never seen before, such as the Council Chamber and particularly the Mayor’s Parlour. I am very grateful to the Town Hall Manager and staff for allowing me to do this."

Kate's 'model' was Gabriella Peters, also at Leeds University, studying Philosophy and Economics.

Kate, who lives in Syke and went to All Saints C of E Primary School and Bury Church school, is not sure what she wants to do after university. She said: "I am considering pursuing various options such as styling, photograph editing or possibly primary school teaching."