Tomorrow's world is nigh

Thoughts of the 21st Century leave most of us thinking of androids and space travel.

But the reality is this: it is just 500 days away.

Tomorrow's World is almost today but most of us have still not figured out how to greet the new millennium, if at all.

Some of the most advanced plans have come from the Church which sees it as a major milestone - 2000 years since the birth of Christ.

And in Bradford the year will have special significance.

The National Faith Heritage Centre, which is being built at St Peter's House in front of Bradford Cathedral, is set to open at Easter 2000.

Designed by the firm who put York's award-winning Jorvik Centre together, it is expected to attract thousands of visitors and help regenerate Little Germany.

It has been primarily funded by the Millennium Commission and work will be launched by Labour's Peter Mandelson.

Canon Geoff Smith, who has championed the project, said: "We are continuing our negotiations with the Millennium Commission.

"We are working closely with the contractors Turners of Keighley and we hope to be on site on January 4 and open Easter 2000."

Negotiations include the name of the centre which the commission says needs to include the word millennium.

Mr Smith said it may end up being called the National Millennium Faith Experience.

Celebrations on a smaller scale are expected in churches across the Bradford district who are discussing a variety of plans including firework displays and street parties.

The parish of Queensbury is considering putting on a play.

Many Christians will be involved in the distribution of candles to every home.

Millennium officers at the C of E are encouraging everyone to join in "the millennium moment" by lighting their candle at midnight on New Year's Eve.

The church also recognises that the momentous event, which inevitably involves examining the past and future, will not be a happy time for many.

The Cathedral has decided to stay open for 24 hours from December 31 to help people over it.

It will be offering suppers on the evening and breakfasts the following morning.

Making the day live in memory

Bradford Council hopes for projects to benefit the community long-term - as well as one-off celebrations.

It has promised to support groups planning events when they bid for grants and help them to prepare submissions.

Chairman of the Council's regeneration committee, Councillor Dave Green, said: "When the Millennium Commission finally announces how it will deal with bids, we want groups to get in touch with us."

Director of Regeneration David Kennedy has been put in charge of the Millennium aspect concerning the Council.

Officers are now looking at ideas across the Authority and costings will be examined. A full report will go to the appropriate committee on the schemes.

But neighbouring Wharfedale is already well ahead with its plans for the big year. Otley could get its own community radio station to launch the Millennium.

Andrew Ingle, who was involved in the launch of the Harrogate radio station Stray FM and Yorkshire Dales Radio, is behind the idea.

It would cost a minimum of £6,000 for a licence but he says minimal space would be needed and it could possibly be held in a small room at the Civic Centre.

Otley has set up a Millennium Association and hopes to provide a community garden as a memorial.

Ilkley Parish Council is looking at ideas including coins or medals and commemorative mugs.

A group of residents have also come together to produce a film. It will be shot over a year and record town highlights such as the carnival, Christmas lights and Ilkley Literature Festival.

Hotels won't feel bubbly about pay

The real winners on the eve of the new millennium will be the people who coin it in by giving up their time to wait on, cook or perform for partygoers.

Bradford's hoteliers say they are being charged more than three times the normal cost for staff to work on New Year's Eve, 1999.

"Everybody is asking at least treble what you would normally pay," said John Pennington, owner of Bradford's Pennington Midland Hotel.

"I have booked two bagpipers and an orchestra for the big party already.

"Last year the pipers got £165 for piping in the new year, but for the millennium they are asking three times that, plus a premium to be there at midnight."

There has already been a great deal of interest from people who want to book their place at the hotel, said Mr Pennington.

Apperley Manor owner Anne Hodgson said that although the hotel had received many inquiries about booking a place at the dawn of the Millennium party, her plans were not yet fixed.

"It's going to be very expensive getting staff for the night. The rates they charge will be extortionate," she said.

One restaurant that will be throwing open its doors to revellers is Ilkley's famed eaterie The Box Tree.

Owner Helen-Lela Avis has been accepting advance booking for two years for the party which will usher in the year 2000. "We have regular customers for New Year's Eve who come back from one year to another and they have asked to book," she said.

But people have not been rushing to reserve bottles of their favourite fizz.

Jim Bird, manager of Martinez Fine Wines in Ilkley, said scare stories about a Champagne drought could be largely ignored.

"People have talked to us about it and we are saying that some of the more expensive marques and vintages will be hard to come to by and should be ordered now."

Saltaire Wines shop owner Sally Wolfe said Champagne should be in plentiful supply.

"I have heard there are something like 22 million bottles, which ought to be enough!"

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