HAVING met LS Lowry in 1973, I had a very interesting conversation with him in which I mentioned Bury Art Gallery and asked him if he had heard of Bury's own Victorian artist J Shaw.

Indeed he had and he spoke very highly of him and his work. He could even tell me the exact location of his paintings in the gallery.

He agreed that for a small town the gallery's collection was most impressive and mentioned the Turner.

What on earth would he say if he could see that Bury was bailing itself out by selling one of his works?

What an absolute disgrace that a council can sell art that belongs to the people of our town and the heritage of its future residents.

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