Shipley Pirate Day

There was terrific fun for the kids (and some of the grown-ups) in Shipley market square earlier today as a ship load of pirates, Peter Pan and a dinosaur sailed into town.  The entertainment was part of the annual Shipley Pirate Day with plenty of pirate based activities, face painting, a parade and several very enjoyable pantomime performances.

Saltaire Festival 2012 - Street Fun

An unlikely combination of music, juggling and er... escapology from this duo at the Saltaire Festival, very popular with the kids and adults alike.

Saltaire Festival 2012 - Street Band

Onlookers are not quite sure what to make of a very entertaining street band in Roberts Park today.  It's all part of the finale weekend at the tenth Saltaire Festival.

Pontefract Liquorice Festival 2012

I spent Sunday afternoon in the town of Pontefract, famous for its association with the liquorice plant and its annual Liquorice Festival.  It is thought that a member of the land owning De Lacy family may have brought back a liquorice plant from the crusades.  The family were the builders of nearby Pontefract Castle and owned land across the north of England, including Bradford, so you could say there is a somewhat tenuous link between Bradford and Pontefract.  The picture shows one of the street entertainers at the festival.

Saltaire Festival - The Peace Artistes

The Peace Artistes are a fifteen to twenty strong brass and percussion street band seen playing here at the Saltaire Festival. The band were originally formed in 1983 in Bradford to perform on marches organised by the peace movement and currently play at carnivals and festivals all over Europe.

Bradford Urban Garden - Mayday Celebrations

     I stopped by at the Bradford Urban Garden earlier today as there was an event taking place to celebrate Mayday.  I didn't stop long but it looked great fun with street entertainers, a maypole and two stages with various bands and musicians performing.  I have photographed these entertainers before, they are pretty good and sometimes do a routine which involves a member of the audience, juggling and fire.  Thankfully they have not, as yet, chosen me to take part!