Not all Bradfordians entirely appreciate the work of David Hockney. His cover for the local telephone directory some years ago, for instance, was ridiculed by some people here in the city of his birth.

But Bradford people have never been renowned for heaping compliments on their sons and daughters who have done well in the eyes of the world. If it's thought there's a danger of them "getting above themselves", they must be brought down a peg or two.

However, this commendably down-to-earth trait of local character can also lead to real achievement being under-acknowledged. The truth of the matter is that as far as life beyond this city is concerned, David Hockney is not only known as Britain's most famous living artist but also as Bradford's most famous living son - and that is something of which we should all be proud.

He might spend most of his time in California now, but his links with his native city remain strong. He has never apparently cut himself off spiritually from the place where he was brought up and educated and where he first made an impression as an eccentric art student who carried his paints and brushes around in a string bag.

He still visits here regularly. He has many of his paintings on display in Salts Mill and Cartwright Hall. He even retains strong traces of his Bradford accent.

In fact, David Hockney fully merits the Freedom of the City which councillors have agreed to bestow upon him. It is a welcome decision - whatever some Bradford people might claim to think!

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.