American relief sculptor/ceramicist who runs the Booth House Studio and Gallery in Holmfirth. Author of book 'Large Scale Ceramics'. This work was commissioned for Oldham Museum and Art Gallery for an exhibition on the Spanish Civil War.

This is a memorial to the men of Oldham who died in Spain fighting fascism in the 1930s. They believed that fascism - a political philosophy that cruelly suppressed difference of opinion or cultural background - was a threat to the world.
Do you admire these people?

Today, there are many other ways of fighting for a cause. Consumer boycotts have helped to change harmful governments and businesses. Buying goods from organisations you support can help them to grow. Writing letters to newspapers and leaders, becoming a politician, voting, organising demonstrations or simply talking to your friends are other ways of creating change.

That Spanish Valley of tears, sweat, blood, where so many bright lights went out in the fight for democracy,
in the fight for Spain's freedom,
in Jarama that dreadful Valley
of fear, waste, altruism - true generosity - they made a promise
to drive out the Fascists

A great pride we felt in the British Battalion, and the stand for Madrid that they made they fought like the true sons of freedom, as part of the 15th Brigade