Review by Eileen Earnshaw
Saturday 13th July was a big day in the annals of Riverside Writing Group. We held the second of our Celebration of Summer Events.
This year William Pollard gave a fascinating talk on the life of dialect poet and novelist M.R. Lahee. Born in Ireland in 1831, Lahee came to Rochdale as a young women to learn the trade of milliner and seamstress. Here she met her life-long companion Susannah Rothwell Wild, with whom she had a close relationship.
Lahee disliked the millinery industry and decided to earn her living as a writer. In this period, to be a woman was difficult. To be a woman writer of dialect was impossible. However, this powerful and fascinating woman succeeded in that man’s world bringing the attention of her readers to the hardships endured by widows left destitute through no fault of their own, and the particular problems faced by female cotton workers. In her time Lahee was acclaimed by such writers as Edwin Waugh and William Dinsmore. She has however, since that time been largely forgotten. The reasons suggested for this are, firstly her gender and secondly her sexuality. Indeed, when a memorial to the Lancashire writers was proposed by Rochdale Council, Archdeacon Wilson fought bitterly against her inclusion. She was however included on one of the bronze sculptured plaques, but facing the hill where the least amount of people could view it. The monument is still in Broadfield Park. Susanah and Lahee were buried in the same grave, but the inscription they wanted was not permitted. It would have read ‘ They were lovely and pleasant in their lives and in death they were undivided’.
Following William Pollard’s talk, the Littleborough U3A Choir led by Christine Longhurst sang a lovely collection of three songs. It would have been a joy to hear more, but time was against us. Heywood Ukelele Group came next with a medley of music led by Deborah Whitham, a most enjoyable listening experience.
We were also fortunate in that the Oakenhoof Folk Musicians led by Dave Broome and the Rossendale Clog dancers led by Helen Davies. The dancers and the musicians then made progress to the Viccolo Del Vino for lunch and an open mic session with all the musicians, poets, dancers and the wonderful U3A Choir all performed again much to the enjoyment of everyone. Information on all these groups and events available at https://riversidewriters.org.uk/.
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