Theatre Of The Dales - Lister Park

I never really got on with Shakespeare at school and have avoided it ever since.  Maybe it was because I wasn't listening, or would rather be reading Motorcycling News or the New Musical Express, or maybe it was because I had never seen an actual performance of one of the plays.  A live performance by the Theatre of the Dales company in Lister Park this afternoon has changed my longstanding opinion, a very entertaining first half consisted of a number of scenes from Shakespeare's comedies followed by Taming of the Shrew, a terrific performance.

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.

Lister Park Bandstand - Caribbean Samples

I had to do a bit of running backwards and forwards last Sunday, Caribbean Samples were playing a blend of soul and reggae in the bandstand at Lister Park, and the Games In The Park event was in full swing at the same time.  The band play at pubs and clubs in and around Bradford and also play at weddings.  I've also had a quick look at their website and they supply reggae samples and loops (don't quite know exactly what that means), I did have a tape recorder with seven inch reels at one time, but I think things have moved on a bit since then!

Frosty Morning - Lister Park

This picture was taken a few days ago when it was cold and dry, now it's just wet and windy again. I believe the bandstand was built in 1908 and then restored around ten years ago when the rest of the park was refurbished.

Rock and Roll

     As I was in the Manningham area after yesterdays parade, I decided to have a quick walk around the park and came across a band playing in the bandstand.  Apparently it should have been a four piece band, but the drummer hadn't turned up. Well, I suppose that's rock and roll.

Bandstand - Lister Park

    

     This is the first time I have managed to capture this scene with the daffodils out, I usually turn up at the park to find that they are already past their best or have been flattened by an overnight storm.  The restored bandstand is still used for concerts, there are a number planned for this summer, but no published details yet.
     If you look to the left of the picture you can see a stone balustrade at the top of the banking, I think this is all that remains of a temporary building and terrace that was part of a great exhibition held in the park in 1904.  The exhibition was opened by the Prince and Princess of Wales and attracted almost two and a half million visitors over the six months that it ran.  One of the attractions was a complete Somali village with around a hundred Somali villagers including their chief.  The Somalis were not keen on theYorkshire climate and spent much of their time huddled around oil stoves.  One of their party died during the visit and is buried in a Bradford Cemetery.

Bandstand - Roberts Park, Saltaire

     This is an early morning picture of the bandstand in Roberts Park, Saltaire.  Restoration work on the park was completed last summer and included the construction of this bandstand.  The statue on the right is Sir Titus Salt, the building beyond is the United Reformed Church in Saltaire.