New Gracie Fields display unveiled

Neil Helliwell, President of The Rotary Clubs of Rochdale; Sebastian Lassandro, President of the Gracie Fields Appreciation Society; Julian Jefferson, Head of Arts and Heritage at Touchstones Museum

Sebastian Lassandro, President of the Gracie Fields Appreciation Society, has unveiled a new display about Rochdale’s famous singer outside Committee Room 4 on the ground floor of Rochdale Town Hall.

This display is available for anyone to see, without charge, by asking at the Town Hall reception desk.

It was erected by Julian Jefferson, Head of Arts and Heritage at Touchstones Museum, who also have a display of memorabilia about “Our Gracie” and will be mounting a further exhibition called “Legacy” in May 2014 which will feature Gracie Fields.

The Rotary Clubs of Rochdale and Rochdale East have projects to raise the appreciation of Gracie Fields in Rochdale. They hope to erect a memorial to her in the Memorial Gardens opposite the Town Hall and also hope that the public who have letters, papers and artefacts relating to Gracie will donate these to their Charitable Trust Company.

John Kay, of Rochdale Rotary Club, and a director of Rochdale Online, said: "When we have sufficient exhibits we hope to create a permanent exhibition in memory of this great singer within the Town Hall where she appeared and sang for her public many years ago.

"We are also seeking any Rochdale people who would like to be involved in this endeavour to form a 'Gracie Fields Group'. Members of this group will be 'Friends of the Rotary Club of Rochdale' with specials interest in Gracie Fields. It is open to men and women of all ages."

If you want to join then please contact Rotarian John F Kay either by email to jkay@molesworths.co.uk or telephone him on 01706 767409.

Further information can be found on the Rotary Club’s website www.rotaryrochdale.co.uk