Jim Allen in Middleton

Middleton Library in Long Street, largely obscured by spring blossom.

On the wall by the entrance to the library:

'JIM ALLEN

1926–1999

 

MIDDLETON WRITER AND PLAYWRIGHT

WAS SELF-TAUGHT IN THIS AND

OTHER LIBRARIES

 

"MY ONLY REGRET WHEN I DIE

WILL BE THE BOOKS

I HAVE NOT READ"'

 

Jim Allen once worked in Bradford colliery, Manchester, before turning to writing as a career. He is most noted for his collaboration with Ken Loach, and his later work included writing the scripts for Loach's Hidden Agenda (1990), Raining Stones (1993),^* and Land and Freedom (1995).
 

^*Although unnamed in the movie, Raining Stones was filmed in Middleton, mainly on the Langley Estate.