A WREATH has been left at the Bradford City Fire memorial to remember its designer, German artist Jockel Reisner – who died last week.
The wreath was laid by the Shipley Hamm exchange at the same time as Mr Reisner’s funeral in Germany.
Mr Reisner was from the Bradford's twin town of Hamm, and the artist regularly visited Bradford.
He met his wife Joyce through an exchange between his school in Hamm and Bingley Grammar and were key figures in the twinning of Bradford and the German town.
He returned to the area so often he was said to have a thick Yorkshire accent.
As well as designing the memorial, which is in City Park and outside Hamm Town Hall, a show of his work had held at Cartwright Hall in Lister Park.
He also donated some of his pieces to the University of Bradford.
Mr Reisener died aged 85 last Wednesday.
On Thursday, a group of residents who are part of the Shipley Hamm exchange went to the memorial at the same time Mr Reisner’s funeral was happening in Germany to remember him and his work and the history he and his family had with the Bradford City Fire disaster. A spokesman said: “Jockel and Joyce met through an exchange between a school in Hamm and Bingley Grammar. “This initially was arranged to help to forge relationships after the war.
“We believe they were pen pals at first and met when Joyce travelled to Germany when they were 15.
“They married 10 years later and went on to have two children.
“Joyce became involved in Hamm Council and was actually present at the Bradford City Fire with several Councillors from Hamm who were visiting our City. “Joyce was highly involved in keeping relations alive between the two councils.
“Hamm Council arranged for Jockel to create the two statues to commemorate the City Fire and one stands outside the Town Hall in Hamm.
“Hamm Council also did fund raising for the victims of the fire.
“Given that the Bradford City Fire disaster moved him so much and remains such a significant part of all our lives, we thoughts it would be fitting to go to the memorial at the time of his funeral in Germany.”
The memorial will host the annual anniversary memorial of the Valley Parade fire on Thursday May 11 – the 38th anniversary.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here