OVERLOOKED aspects of Bradford’s history - from the people with learning disabilities who worked in the city’s mills to the impact of Bangladeshi culture - will be explored as part of Bradford’s City of Culture year.
Historic England has today announced new funding for four youth-led projects in collaboration with Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.
The History in the Making programme will give under-represented young people in the district the opportunity to explore and celebrate their local “hidden histories" - finding original ways to commemorate them.
They will work with artists to create information boards and place markers to let others know about their findings.
The programme aims to improve young people’s wellbeing and increase pride in their local area.
Twenty-one grants of up to £15,000, a total of £261,000, will fund projects across the country over 18 months, starting in January.
The projects being funded by Historic England’s History in the Making grant programme in Bradford are:
Summat Creative
This project focuses on the overlooked history of people with learning disabilities who worked in Bradford’s mills in the 19th and early 20th century.
After historical research, young people with learning disabilities will help create a model of a mill and fill it with their own responses to the stories they’ve unearthed.
Manningham Heritage Project - run by BEAP Community Partnership
Young people will explore local Bangladeshi heritage, working with local artists and craftspeople to create place markers that incorporate elements of Bangladeshi culture, art, language, and traditions.
Shipley Glen Tramway accessible place marker
Young people with additional needs from across the Bradford district will explore the social history around the oldest cable tramway in Britain, which still takes passengers from Saltaire/Baildon to Shipley Glen. Their findings will create a full accessible, multi-sensory place marker to celebrate these histories.
Shared Stories by Allstar Ents
This will celebrate musical and cultural histories across the district. Young people will conduct interviews and research before creating their own musical and audio responses. These new works will be shared via QR codes around the local area.
Rhiannon Hannon, director of creative engagement at Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, said: “The four projects being developed across Bradford District celebrate and reflect less frequently heard stories of Bradford in surprising ways.
"In making them with young people in Bradford. they will deepen their connection to the place they call home, seeing themselves and their heritage on the streets where they live.”
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