Bradford Mirror Pool Mk2

     This is a picture of the footpath through the Bradford Urban Garden, a temporary green space in the centre of Bradford.  There seems to be a problem with drainage of surface water.  The real mirror pool is still under construction at the other side of the town centre.

Chevin Chase

     This was the first time I had been to this annual event, over three hundred runners in a seven mile race over Otley Chevin, starting and finishing in Guiseley.  The day was very cold and it was very slippery underfoot, but both runners and spectators seemed to have a great time.

Merry Christmas

     This house on the outskirts of Bradford is decorated with Christmas lights each year.  The owner leaves out a small collection tin, the proceeds go to a cancer charity.

Down by the river

     This footpath runs alongside the river Aire, it passes through a small nature reserve on its way to Shipley, a small market town which lies two or three miles north of Bradford.  Despite much local opposition, an area of land to the right of this footpath has been designated for commercial use and will be built on at some time in the future.

Morris Dancers



Morris dancers, Otley Victorian Fair.



Fairground Organ

     This fairground organ was one of the attractions at the recent Otley Victorian Fair.

Otley Victorian Fair

     Otley is a small market town that lies about eight miles North of Bradford.  This weekend was the 25th Otley Victorian Fair.  The mormally traffic congested town centre becomes a pedestrian only area with market stalls, fairground rides, morris dancers and other street entertainment.

Snow White

     It's panto season in Bradford with Snow White and the seven dwarfs at the Alhambra theatre.

No Hoods, Hats or Attitude

     I was walking past this city centre nightclub and saw that most of the glass panes in the frontage had been smashed, this sign on the wall  includes the words 'No Hoods, Hats or Attitude.'

Fireworks

     This firework display was held in Shipley market square at the Christmas lights switch on event.

Unusual Sweets

     Unusual sweets at the Bradford Christmas market.

I Love Shopping

       Bradford has two indoor markets, but these mugs were for sale on a special Christmas outdoor  market.

Salvation Army Band - Darley Street

     I could hear this Salvation Army Band as I walked across the bottom of Darley St. (Bradfords main shopping area) and went to investigate.  The band were playing Christmas carols, I made a small donation before continuing on my way.

Bradford Urban Garden

     This is the snow coverd Bradford Urban Garden.  This brightly coloured mural has recently been added to this temporary arts space.  At the other side of this mural lies a great crater containing the foundations of a large retail development which has been 'on hold' for several years.

Canal Runners

     These runners were taking part in an event which passed through woodland and along this section of the Leeds/Liverpool canal.   The slippery conditions didn't seeem to bother these runners, is there a special ingredient in the soles of running shoes? 

     When I went through the pictures at home, I noticed this chap who seems to be suffering from cold hands.

Frozen Canal

Winter has arrived early this year, this is the snow covered towpath and frozen Leeds/Liverpool canal at Saltaire.

Demonstration - Centenary Square

I recently visited Bradford town centre for the Christmas lights switch on, and came across this demonstration in Centenary Square. 

Christmas Parade

A parade through the centre of Bradford to mark the start of Christmas shopping.

Bradford Run

Competitor in the recent Bradford Run, a half marathon, and in that suit!

Roof Space - Salts Mill

I have recently visited the Saltaire Festival.  One of the highlights for me was an exhibition of black and white prints by  photographer Asadour Guzelian.  The prints were mounted on the walls of this vast roof space at Salts Mill, Saltaire.

Proceeds of Crime

This car was recently on display in front of Bradford Town Hall.  The car was seized following a criminal investigation and is regarded as 'proceeds of crime'.  The idea is to strip criminals of illegally obtained assets;  the car will later be sold.

Chairs - Centenary Square

I sometimes arrive early for events that I intend to photograph.  Here are some chairs in Centenary Square, Bradford.

Man With Office Chair

I was photographing these road works in Bradford town centre when this man walked into the picture pushing an office chair. I thought it was a bit of an odd thing to do, and took a picture of it. He probably wondered why I was taking pictures of road works as it is an odd thing to do.

Veterans Day - Centenary Square

The weather was warm and sunny for the Veterans Day service and open-air tea dance which took place today in Centenary Square, Bradford.

The day started with a centuries old Drumhead Service.  Traditionally soldiers in the field would make an altar by placing their standards on neatly laid drums.

The afternoon continued with a real party atmosphere.  There was jive dancing with the incredible 'Jiving Lindy Hoppers' backed by the equally impressive 'Swing Shifters' band.

Cycle Fest 2010 - Lister Park

This is Jimmy Biondi giving an impressive display of twisting, spinning and balancing on his BMX bike at the Bradford Cycle Fest 2010.  Jimmy travelled all the way from Strasbourg in North Eastern France to give this performance in Lister Park.

Yorkshire Regiment Parade

The Yorkshire Regiment paraded through the streets of Bradford today with their newly presented colours flying.  The Regiment were accompanied by the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas followed by the Colours Guard.

Keith McCarter Sculpture

Passing motorists are probably unaware of the existence of this stainless steel sculpture by Keith McCarter.  It stands near a very busy road junction in Bradford town centre,  I only really noticed it mylself because I was on foot and had time to look around.  The building to the right of the sculpture is the former Odeon Cinema with its distinctive domed frontage.  This building has gradually deteriorated since its closure and now appears to be in quite poor condition.

Bike Breakfast

In an effort to encourage more people to cycle to work, cyclists were treated to a free breakfast this morning at City Hall, Bradford.

Mirror Pool

Constuctiuon work is continuing on Bradford's ambitious City Park Project.  The area pictured in the photograph will eventually be transformed into a mirror pool.  Some businesses in the city centre are struggling to survive while the disruption continues.

Mughal Gardens - Lister Park

This water garden uses a combination of Islamic and Indian styles with its fountains and canals.  The entire park was renovated several years ago and the water garden was introduced as a new feature.

Mayor's Civic Parade - Bradford

This brass band is part of the Lord Mayor's Civic Parade.  In the background you can see the hoardings for Bradfords famous 'Hole'.  The 'Hole' is a huge area of the town centre which was demolished to make way for a major retail development.  This project has been on hold for several years.  Work is due to recommence when the recession is over, in the meantime there are plans to grass over part of the area.

Mayor's Parade - Bradford

The Lord Mayor's Carnival Parade took place today in Bradford town centre.  This years theme was the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity using the iconic image of the tiger.  The Lord Mayor's Civic Parade also took place simultaneously, the two parades joining together a short distance from their City Hall destination.

Illingworth Tomb - Undercliffe Cemetry

This is the tomb of Alfred Illingworth and his wife.  The Illingworth family were walthy Bradford mill owners.  The structure of this unusual tomb is based upon the ancient Egyptian 'mastaba'.  The mastaba was the tomb of the Egyptian social elite and consisted of an underground burial chamber with an above ground chapel.  The family would bring food and other offerings for the soul of the deceased to this chapel.

Circus Preparations - Bradford Mela

This circus peformer was preparing for a show later in the day.

Annapurna Indian Dance - Bradford Mela

This Indian dance company uses storytelling and rhythmic Indian dance in its colourful performances.  The company visits festivals, schools, and theatres to help promote a greater understanding of Indian traditions and culture.

Street Theatre - Bradford Mela

I think this scary looking fellow might be Ravana the ten headed monster.

Jasmine Kennedy - Bradford Mela

This is talented singer/songwriter Jasmine Kennedy who gave an excellent performance on one of the smaller, more intimate stages at the Mela.

Steet Performer - Bradford Mela

This is one of a band of street performers promoting the music and performing arts of North India and particularly Rajasthan.

Dhol Drummer - Bradford Mela

This musician is playing the dohl, a drum which is widely used in the Punjab region.  Use of the instrument dates back to the 15th century and it is used in both modern and traditional Indian music.

Bradford Mela

Tomorrow is the start of the Bradford Mela weekend which is held annually in Peel Park.  Mela is a word used in the Indian Subcontinent and means 'gathering','meeting' or 'fair'.  This picture was taken at last years Mela

Lister Park in the rain

The park would normally be busy at this time of year, but the recent wet weather seems to have kept people indoors.

Labor Omnia Vincit

This coat of arms was displayed  on buses belonging to the old Bradford City Transport.  The inscription reads 'Labor Omnia Vincit ' (Hard work conquers all things).  It is different to the current Bradford coat of arms.

Double Decker Bus

I spotted this former Bradford City Transport Bus at the Skipton Festival of Transport.  These buses had an open platform at the rear and relied on the conductor to make sure passengers were safely on or off the bus.

Halima Cassell Sculpture - Lister Park

This sculpture by Halima Cassell is situated in front of Cartwright Hall, Lister Park.

Halima Cassell visits Bradford

It was raining heavily as I wandered around a deserted Lister Park today.  To escape the rain I decided to visit the recently re-oponed Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, which lies within the grounds of the park.  In one of the galleries was an exhibition by sculptress Halima Cassell.  In the gallery, working on one of her sculptures was Halima herself.  Halima allowed me to take some pictures of her at work.  Halima was born in Pakistan, but grew up and  lives in Lancashire.

Chapel Street

This amusing sculpture can be found at Chapel Street in the Little Germany area of Bradfords town centre.  The mill owners chair, mirror and grandfather clock are the work of sculptor Timothy Shutter, and were commissioned by Bradford Council in the early 1990's.

Made in Yorkshire

Window sticker, Jowett saloon car.

Morrisons Delivery Van

This Jowett Bradford van was acquired by the Morrisons Supermarket chain in the 1980's.  It was restored using the distinctive livery of a 1940's Morrisons delivery van.  It has attended car shows and has been used for publicity purposes by the company for the past 25 years.  The Idle-Bradford branch of the supermarket stands on what was once the Jowett car factory.

Jowett Centenary - Cannon Hall

This is probably the largest ever gathering of Bradford built Jowett cars.   Some club members have travelled from as far away as Australia and New Zealand to attend this event, held at Cannon Hall, Cawthorne, near Barnsley.

Jowett Bradford

This is the radiator grille of a Jowett Bradford van.  These light vans were introduced after the Second World War and were economical to run.  Acceleration was a liesurely 0-50mph in 47.6 seconds!