Bradford was today gearing up to welcome The Queen to the city for the fifth time.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are due to arrive on the Royal train at Bradford Interchange station at 9.55am tomorrow followed by a visit to new Hindu Temple in Leeds Road and the new Bradford Police Headquarters in Nelson Street before meeting Bradford Council's chief executive Tony Reeves in Centenary Square.
The new Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Robin Owens, in one of his first engagement's as first citizen, isdue to make a short speech to welcome the Royal party.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will then be briefed on the massive regeneration programme taking place in the city centre. Next on the schedule is a short walkabout and the visit is to conclude with Lydia, the five-year-old daughter of murdered policewoman Sharon Beshenivsky presenting the Queen with a posy.
Centenary Square is also the setting for a variety of musical performances - starting at 10am - including the first ever public performance by the newly-formed Bradford Schools Choir.
More than 70 pupils from nine primary schools - Baildon, Ben Rhydding, Clayton, Denholme, High Crags, Hoyle Court, Sandal, Thackley and Wellington - attend regular training where they are coached by Education Bradford's music and arts service. They formed in February.
Other performances include 22 members of the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service wind band joined by six musicians from the RAF band from Bury St Edmunds to open proceedings; then Queensbury's Black Dyke Band - one of the most famous brass bands in the world.
Bradford Council chief executive Mr Reeves said: "A visit from Her Majesty The Queen is a huge honour for the district and I'm sure the residents will enjoy seeing her and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh in Centenary Square.
"It is also a great opportunity for us to show her what we have achieved so far in terms of regenerating the city centre and the plans we have to further improve it and the rest of the district."
Bradford Council Leader Councillor Kris Hopkins said: "We are all really looking forward to the Queen's visit, it promises to be a really memorable day for everyone associated with the district.
"It is particularly pleasing that Her Majesty is visiting us at a time when we have so many positive schemes taking place and in the pipeline, I'm sure she will be very impressed with our plans and ideas."
The Queen last visited Bradford in 1997 to mark the city's centenary year. Her Majesty officially opened Centenary Square, handed out Maundy money in Bradford Cathedral and opened Bradford City's £1.5 million Midland Road stand.
She also paid visits to Bradford in 1977 as part of her Jubilee year, in 1974 when she opened the Tyrls Police headquarters and the magistrates' court, and in 1954 when she toured Bradford Park Avenue cricket ground with the Duke of Edinburgh.
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