A LONG-STANDING Bradford community will come together once again this weekend – almost 40 years after going their separate ways.

Old friends who lived on Sloan Square, off Whetley Lane, will reunite at the Harp of Erin on Saturday.

They will reminisce about life on a Bradford estate where a close-knit community formed a bond which has stood the test of time.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Sloan Square locals in the early 1970s, from the T&A archivesSloan Square locals in the early 1970s, from the T&A archives

It has been organised by Jerry Crawford, a DJ and community figure who grew up on Sloan Square in the 1970s.

Jerry, now 61, runs a group which has kept Sloan Squarers in contact, following the estate’s redevelopment – and rebranding as Regency Court – in the mid-1980s.

The group has over 400 members, and Saturday’s event will be their latest in a series of reunions.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Children on Sloan Square, early 1970sChildren on Sloan Square, early 1970s

“I don’t think there’s another estate in Bradford where they’ve kept it going like this. We’ve been in contact for 50 years,” said Jerry, who organised the Windrush Carnival in Centenary Square last month.

“Sloan Square was a community. We all stuck together – whether Black, white or Asian.

“We weren’t family by blood, but we came to be one.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Sloan Square was a diverse community, with people of various different ethnic backgrounds calling it homeSloan Square was a diverse community, with people of various different ethnic backgrounds calling it home

Jerry was born in Saint Kitts in the Caribbean, moving to Bradford at the age of one. He lived on Newby Square, West Bowling, before moving to Sloan Square at 11.

Poverty levels on the estate were high, with Jerry even saying that at first, it reminded him of somewhere that had been “bombed by the IRA”.

“Moving to Sloan Square, for me, was like moving to the bottom,” he said.

“It was a slum. People turned their noses at you – you were embarrassed to be from there.

“But now, I’m well proud,” he smiles.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Three women pose for a photograph on Sloan Square in the early 1970sThree women pose for a photograph on Sloan Square in the early 1970s

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Sloan Square has now been redeveloped and is known as Regency Court. This Google Street View image shows the area in 2008Sloan Square has now been redeveloped and is known as Regency Court. This Google Street View image shows the area in 2008

Jerry cites footballer Dean Richards – who started out at Bradford City and played in the Premier League with Southampton and Tottenham, before passing away from an illness at just 36 – as one of Sloan Square’s most famous sons.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Dean Richards played for Bradford City from 1992 to 1995Dean Richards played for Bradford City from 1992 to 1995

Dean’s brothers Basil and Craig, who were professional rugby league stars, are also from the estate.

Mike Williams, who played for Sheffield Wednesday, is another Sloan Squarer, as is Patrick Cargill – of the band Unique 3 – and DJ and producer Kevin Harper, better known by his stage name Original Boywonder.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A mother and child on Sloan Square in the 1970sA mother and child on Sloan Square in the 1970s

Jerry is excited ahead of the reunion.

“It will be the first time I’ve seen some people in years,” he said.

“It’s going to be a really happy time.

“Sloan Square played a major part in my life and has made me who I am today.”