31 May 2013

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.

No comments: