Want To Buy A Dodgy Watch?

He didn't really try to sell me a dodgy watch, he was in the town centre to promote Bradford Apple Day held at Bowling Park Community Orchard.  The event is this Sunday (7th October) and is organised by the Bradford Apple Group.  Unfortunately I don't think I will be able to attend on the day, a shame really as it sounds quite interesting.

Dynamo - Magician

This was the scene outside of Waterstones bookshop a few days ago.  The large queue of people were patiently waiting to see magician Dynamo (real name Steven Frayne) who was in his home town of Bradford to promote his new book 'Nothing Is Impossible'.  I was ignorant as to who Dynamo was and upon making a few inquiries with his fans discovered that he can 'walk on water' amongst other feats, and has appeared on TV numerous times, so I will have to keep an eye out for Mr. Dynamo in the future.

Bolling Hall - The Bradford Militia

An enthusiastic Bradford Militia force the Kings men into retreat.  I might add that I feared for my own safety at this point.

Bolling Hall - Prepare To Die!

A terrific display of military weaponry and how to use it at the Medieval Living Event, Bolling Hall.  The chap who appears to be winning is actually recovering from a recently broken foot and that armour he is wearing weighs around six and a half stone (40kg). 

Medieval Living Event - Bolling Hall

The Great Hall at Bolling Hall and a re-enactment of life during the Wars of the Roses by members of Frei Compagnie.  Bolling Hall is one of the oldest buildings in Bradford and was opened as a museum in 1915.  It was used as a base by Royalists to attack the town of Bradford during the English Civil War, the commander was supposed to have been asked by a ghost to 'pity poor Bradford' on the eve of the attack and the citizens were subsequently spared the sword on the following day.  The museum really comes to life during these re-enactments, the chap in the picture is a doctor or surgeon with the tools of his trade spread out on the table, an assortment of fearsome looking instruments and unusual potions.

Peaceful Protest

A peaceful protest against an American made 'anti-Islam' film was held today in Centenary Square. Speeches were made by Muslim community leaders from Bradford and Keighley (and by representatives of the Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara) condemning the film but urging peace and restraint.  There was a large crowd present but not a hint of trouble, just speeches and prayers, amen.

Road To Nowhere

This is the riverside path at Thackley after all that rain (it's rained heavily here for days).  I did manage to find a way around this flooded section.  When I reached the other side of the trees on the right there was a chap sat on the riverbank painting a picture, and I thought photography was an eccentric hobby!

Wicker Skips - Bradford Industrial Museum

Back in the late 1970's I worked for a textile machinery company, delivering machinery parts to mills around West Yorkshire.  The mills had a distinctive smell to them, a kind of mixture of wool and oil that seemed to permeate the fabric of the building.  The first floor of the Bradford Industrial Museum houses a collection of textile machinery, from early hand operated weaving looms to machines that were in use at the demise of the textile industry in this part of the world.  It also has that distinctive smell, wool and oil, it takes me back thirty five years when I walk through the door. It probably does the same for a lot of people who worked in the mills, and it probably takes them a lot further back than my thirty five years.

The History Of Bradford Speedway Exhibition

The History Of Bradford Speedway Exhibition is running until the end of November at the Bradford Industrial Museum.  Speedway motorcycles, memorabilia and literature relating to the sport and its popularity in Bradford are on display at the museum.  It's all part of Bradford's history and worth a visit even if you were never a fan of the sport (like myself).

Aberdeen

Sorry there have been no posts for the last few days as my wife and I have been in Aberdeen for a family wedding.  The venue was a couple of miles outside of Aberdeen but we did manage a quick visit to the town before the wedding ceremony took place.  Unable to find a convenient parking space in the town centre we ended up at a delightful seaside area just  north of the town itsef, complete with fairground, sea-front cafes and a lovely beach with golden sand, and plenty of sunshine as well!

Saltaire Festival 2012 - German Sausage

I didn't manage to see everything at the Saltaire Festival, there was just too much to see in the time I had available.  Some of the food stalls were quite colourful, this German sausage was quite eye-catching.

Saltaire Festival 2012 - Reflecting On Fruit

There were a number of food tents at the Saltaire Festival with demonstrations in the art of preparing food, or in this case, turning fruit into amazing floral displays with nothing more than a sharp knife.  The mirror was mounted on the ceiling of the tent to give the audience a better view.  I took a quick picture after the demonstration when members of the audience went up to the front for a closer look.

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 - The Plumhall Band

I really enjoyed this set from the Bradford based Plumhall band at the Saltaire Festival.  The band features Michelle Plum (former member of Chumbawamba) and Nick B Hall performing folk ballads through to out and out rock, very nice.

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.

Saltaire Festival 2012 - Giant Hippo?

I've never seen one of these roaming around Roberts Park before, it's quite a sight when you see it approaching through the crowds, and there were some crowds today.  It's the finale weekend of the Saltaire Festival and I can honestly say that I have never seen as many people in the village, moving around became a bit of a problem by mid afternoon.  There were a number of Steampunk enthusiasts at the Festival, but I think this hippo was a real showstopper.

Saltaire Festival 2012 - Roberts Park

Live music at the bandstand in Roberts Park, Saltaire.  This was last Sunday but the main weekend for the tenth Saltaire Festival is the coming weekend with live music, a continental market and a number of other events taking place.  I hope to be there.

Baildon Scarecrow Walk 2012 - Acoustic Trio

I quite enjoyed listening to this acoustic trio performing at the Scarecrow Walk in Baildon at the weekend.  They go by the name of 'The Broken Hearts Club Band', they were very pleasant to listen to, and who needs amplifiers anyway!

Baildon Scarecrow Walk 2012 - Scarecrow Choir

There was some very nice singing from this choir in the grounds of St John's Parish Church on Saturday, with choir members dressed as scarecrows.

Baildon Scarecrow Walk - 2012

Baildon hosted its annual Scarecrow Walk on Saturday and there were plenty of visitors to the village, many of them young children clutching leaflets showing the locations of the scarecrows.  This years main themes seem to have been the Olympic Games and the Diamond Jubilee, not surprising really.  I didn't see all of the scarecrows, but there were some quite clever ones, some very colourful ones, some that were quite bizarre, and some that just put a smile of your face!