Sir Cyril opens fountain on Packer Spout!

3.00.00pm GMT Mon 18th Dec 2006

Sir Cyril officially opens the fountain with Council Leader Alan Taylor looking on.

Over 60 years ago it was the scene of a controversial speech by Sir Cyril Smith MBE and he has returned to officially open the Packer Spout Fountain near the Town Hall in Rochdale. This is a historic fountain and the garden area and fountain have been completely refurbished. Packer Spout has been refurbished as part of a successful bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund that has seen improvements throughout Broadfield Park.

Packer Spout is famous in Rochdale for being the site of the Town's original water source and also the scene of political speeches. In the 1940's, a tradition of Public Speaking started at the site with General Election Candidates speaking in front of hundreds of people. Candidates were made to state their case either on Packer Spout or on the back of a lorry on the site. This was the scene of the question that literally changed Sir Cyril Smith's life. That is why the choice of Sir Cyril to open the fountain is so apt.

It was 1945, and a young Cyril Smith had just started his first job as a 16 year old at the Inland Revenue in the old Post Office at the bottom of Flea Street. He was also Chairman of a thriving Young Liberal Party in Rochdale. At the time it was strictly forbidden for Civil Servants to publicly declare their politics - with hindsight not a particularly good choice for young Cyril. He was already writing to his local Newspaper - The Rochdale Observer on a variety of subjects. The General Election was in full swing and everyone flocked to Packer Spout for a debate. A young Cyril Smith took to the platform with the Liberal Candidate - Charles Harvey, making a speech. Speaking, even at this early age was nothing new to Cyril and he left the stage quite happy with himself. Little did Cyril know, his boss Alf North had been watching from his office window.

In the morning he arrived at work to be summoned to the Chief Inspector of Taxes in Rochdale - Mr North. Even worse, his mother Eve had been summoned too and Cyril was asked question that was to change his life. Mr North said, "Either resign from politics or from this job - you can't do both!" For Cyril this was easy. He explains, "Even as a 16 year old I was determined to go into politics and even though it upset my mother I quit my job on the spot and the rest they say is history. Mr North tipped my mother the wink and said I'd probably made the right decision. Packer Spout played a significant role in my life and that is why I am delighted to return to open this splendid restoration.

Packer Spout was also the venue for the Annual Carol Service until 1966 when as Mayor of Rochdale, Cyril had it moved into Rochdale Town Hall. "That year, there must have been nearly 2000 people crammed into the hall" says Sir Cyril. "It was that packed that we ran out of Mince Pies but it was a huge success. The problem with holding the service at Packer Spout was the outdoors put people off. That's why we moved it and it's been in our splendid Town Hall ever since."

Cyril went on to forge a successful career in politics and met Mr North on many occasions in his role as a Councillor, Mayor and subsequently the MP for Rochdale.

Leader of Rochdale Council - Alan Taylor said, "Sir Cyril was the obvious choice to cut the ribbon. I would like to pay tribute to the staff who have worked so hard to finish this project. As Sir Cyril said in his speech Rochdale needs to look forward but also remember its heritage and this is exactly what we have done with this project."