Last Queen Elizabeth hall event celebrates Oldham's future

The QE Hall, as it's affectionately known, has hosted big name bands from Iron Maiden to The Dubliners, cultural icons like spoken poet John Cooper Clarker, and comedians including Jimmy Carr. 

But since being condemned for containing Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) – a particularly brittle building material – in 2023, its days have been numbered. 

Now the old theatre is part of plans to bring 2,000 new homes into the town centre and will close on May 10.

On Sunday (April 26), Frank Rothwell hosted two screenings of the documentary following his first solo-rowing journey across the Atlantic Ocean in the Talisker Whisky Challenge.

He said that the evening showing was the final event to be held at the site.

The film follows Frank in the run-up to the challenge, showing his training and preparation, as well as his experience during the crossing, and the impressions he made on those he met along the way.

With dozens of moments that made the audience laugh, the event provided a glimpse into his personality.

The Oldham Man and The Sea at Queen Elizabeth Hall (Image: NQ)

Even more so when he held a live talk and question and answer with the audience.

The talk saw the Oldham Athletic chairman tell just part of the long-running story of the Queen Elizabeth Hall.

The Oldham businessman recalled a concert that had been held there.

Frank Rothwell speaking to the audience (Image: NQ)

He said: "This is the last event that will be held here at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.

"I'm sure everyone here has been here many times before.

"But isn't it really special that the final event can be hosted by a man from Oldham, with a film about that man from Oldham?

Frank Rothwell with his Guinness World Record certificate (Image: NQ)

"I remember Showaddywaddy coming here not long after the hall opened, and what a night that was."

An audience member briefly told him how they were there that night and remembered the band getting stuck in the lift.

During the question and answer section of the event, Frank was asked what he would be doing in his spare time, since his family won't allow him to row the ocean again.

He said: "Well, one thing I want to do most is make Oldham better and change the perception of Oldham.

Frank Rothwell speaking to the audience (Image: NQ)

"We all have perceptions of places we don't live, and it may just be that right now, people's perceptions of Oldham aren't so good- but I want to change that.

"I'm building a great big statue at the side of the M60, which millions will drive past every day.

"It's going to be bigger than the Angel of the North.

"I'm also building an orb, and it's going to replicate a human embryo and it will mark the fact that IVF was first achieved here in Oldham.

"Since then, there have been more than 13 million babies born by IVF.

Frank Rothwell speaking to the audience (Image: NQ)

"That's 26 million parents, 52 million grandparents, all of them connected to Oldham through IVF.

"The statue and embryo will be the place they can come to reflect that this borough helped them get their baby through IVF."

Throughout the event, he continued to pay homage to the achievements of Oldhammers, mentioning Sir Kevin Sinfield, Platt Brothers and Rothwell's Cars, as well as his wife, Judith Rothwell.

The proceeds from the event's ticket sales and raffle money will be donated to Oldham Athletic Community Trust and Mahdlo Youth Zone