Everywhere has local people who are known throughout the area for bringing laughter and joy to people’s day to day lives. One of those people in Oldham was Vera Smith. She has now been immortalised in a painting that is set to raise money for a cause dear to her heart.
An Oldham artist is hoping to boost Dr Kershaw’s coffers with an image of a local icon. David Ford used pictures from the Oldham Chronicle’s archive to create a picture of the roundabout run by the late Vera Smith, a local celebrity of sorts.
Affectionately know as Dobby Horse Vera to generations of Oldhamers, Vera was named woman of the year in Oldham in 2007, and was well known for being a staunch supporter of local charities, and her hand cranked roundabout. Vera slipped on ice outside her home in 2000 had to wear a steel halo, prompting the new nickname of The Angel of Tommyfield.
Prints are being sold to raise money for the Royton hospice, which Vera supported throughout her life. Nora died last November, but will always be remembered by locals and Tommyfield Marketgoers for her hand-cranked roundabout.
Vera’s daughter Frances Heywood said: “Mum would have loved the painting. It’s really lovely that a part of her legacy is still helping to raise funds for the charity she loved so much.”
Last year, David raised £1,400 for the hospice with his striking image of the iconic Mumps Bridge before it was knocked down. He said: “I’m hoping we can raise as much as possible for this worthy cause.”