Saturday 31 March 2012

Make Bradford Bonkers



Bradford has been in the spotlight recently with George Galloway winning the Bradford West by-election, but there were other candidates, Alan "Howling Laud" Hope of the Monster Raving Loony Party for instance, seen canvassing in Centenary Square last Saturday....

Friday 30 March 2012

Bradford Mirror Pool - Stilt Walkers

These stilt walkers caused quite a stir at the mirror pool opening, they were one of a number of street entertainment acts which kept the crowds entertained throughout the day.

Monday 26 March 2012

Bradford Mirror Pool - Terry Acoustic, Darren Dunston Bromley, Quiet Rebellion and Chris Martin

I was really impressed by this guy, I initially saw him performing in front of McDonalds in Kirkgate in the town centre and then later at the mirror pool where I took this picture. Great singer, great guitarist, and great entertainer!



Bradford Mirror Pool - The Dream Engine



One of the highlights at the opening of the Bradford Mirror Pool was a kind of aerial ballet performed by 'The Dream Machine'. It was quite a spectacular performance, the balloons changing colour whilst gliding over the pool.

Sunday 25 March 2012

Bradford Mirror Pool - Helium Balloon

I watched this balloon being inflated and manoeuvred into position on top of the pavilion overlooking the mirror pool. The balloon, filled with helium, was later used in a spectacular aerial ballet with an acrobat suspended beneath, floating at various heights above the pool.

The roof of the pavilion was an ideal place to get an overview of the event, it was out of bounds to the public, but I did manage to sneak up there for a quick picture later in the day.

Saturday 24 March 2012

Bradford Mirror Pool - Urban Freeflow



It was the official opening of the Bradford Mirror Pool and City Park today. There was a wide variety of entertainment including parkour and freerunning team Urban Freeflow, pictured here warming up before the event.

Friday 23 March 2012

Mirror Pool - Last Minute Tweaks

It's the official opening of the Bradford City Park and mirror pool tomorrow. Last minute testing and tweaking was in progress around the pool this morning, including testing of these vents. I hadn't seen these vents working before, from a distance the vapour looks like smoke, but it's probably steam, clever stuff!

Thursday 22 March 2012

Odeon Cinema - Scaffolding

Scaffolding has been erected around the Odeon Cinema recently, the building now looks like it's in a rather large plastic bag. Apparently repairs are needed to make the building safe, a building which is earmarked for demolition, it all seems a little bit odd.

Wednesday 21 March 2012

Graffiti - Filey Street

I'm not really a graffiti fan, but this one did make me smile.

Monday 19 March 2012

Jamba Community Samba Band

A member of the Jamba Community Samba Band at the charity run in Keighley yesterday. The band was made up entirely of drummers who played continuously for more than an hour, it must have been hard work, nearly as hard as running the race. I think the sunglasses look really cool.

Sunday 18 March 2012

Keighley Big K 10K Run

I visited the town of Keighley this morning to watch a 10 kilometre charity run to raise money for the Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice. The weather was sunny but cool, probably ideal conditions for the several hundred runners that took part in the event. The runners are pictured here in Victoria Park near the Start and Finish line.

Saturday 17 March 2012

St Michael The Archangel - Kirkby Malham



I had driven past this church numerous times and never been inside, it's on the way to Malham at the village of Kirkby Malham. The church has a number of interesting features including box pews and niches on the main pillars, the niches would have contained statues of saints prior to the reformation. The church really is worth a visit for anyone planning a trip to Malham.

Friday 16 March 2012

Bradford Bulls Wheelchair Rugby League Club

There was a demonstration of wheelchair tag rugby today in Centenary Square. The event was organised to raise awareness of the sport and to raise money for the Bradford team who need a van to ferry their wheelchairs and equipment to matches. The game is quite interesting to watch, the participants are very enthusiastic, and I can tell you that there is no holding back when it comes to tackles!



Thursday 15 March 2012

Staircase



It's down the stairs from Cheapside to Forster Square Station, there is a lift (elevator) but I always take the stairs.

Tuesday 13 March 2012

City Park



I know I have posted quite a few pictures of the mirror pool recently, and with the official opening event coming up on March 24th with a brass band and street entertainers there will probably be quite a few more. I still hear a lot of negative comments from people about the project, mainly regarding the cost, but the money has been spent now and the project is more or less finished, so we may as well just enjoy what we have.

Monday 12 March 2012

Pavillion Sculpture

This unusual stainless steel sculpture stands on top of the pavilion which overlooks the new mirror pool in the town centre. I can't tell you who the artist is, or even the name of the work as there is no plaque, the grass is a clever idea though, it makes the pavilion roof into a small garden.

Sunday 11 March 2012

St. Patrick's Day Parade - Leeds



I'm a bit off my patch here, in the city of Leeds for the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. It's the first time I have been to one of these parades and I was quite impressed at how colourful it was. The parade started in Millennium Square and passed through the centre of Leeds before returning to the Square for an afternoon of Irish themed entertainment and, er, the consumption of much Guinness.

Saturday 10 March 2012

Mirror Pool Bike



It's quite interesting to just sit on a bench and watch the reactions of visitors to the new mirror pool. Some take a picture on their phone, more adventurous types take off their shoes and socks and have a paddle, and the chap on the bike, well he just had to do two circuits of the pool before continuing on his journey.

Thursday 8 March 2012

Deluxe Dormers

It's quite common to see a row of terraced houses with dormers added, usually a higgledy-piggledy assortment of sizes and styles. These dormers look quite posh though, all neat, white, and all the same size.



Wednesday 7 March 2012

Daffodils - Lister Park

Some of the daffodils are out in Lister Park, not all of them, just the ones that are in a more sheltered or sunnier position.

Sunday 4 March 2012

Double Rainbow

It's a bit early for April showers, but this double rainbow appeared yesterday afternoon when the weather turned to showers in the afternoon.

Saturday 3 March 2012

Cumbrian Mountain Express - Saltaire

There are quite a few steam engines running on branch lines up and down the country, but this engine is making a journey on a main line, from York to Settle and then on to Carlisle. I'm no steam expert but this engine (BR Class 7MT 4-6-2 no 7000 Britannia) has a little bit of interesting history. The cab roof is painted white to commemorate her hauling the funeral train of King George VI from Norfolk to London in 1952, you may be able to make out the white roof in the picture.

Friday 2 March 2012

Busker - Darley Street

There are always one or two buskers in the town centre, this one at the bottom of Darley Street last Saturday.

Thursday 1 March 2012

Mirror Pool Fun

I was about to delete this picture and then changed my mind, the girl running across wasn't supposed to be there, she just ran across as I pressed the shutter button, a sort of happy accident. This mirror pool is going to be so much fun!