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Phil Robinson writes about where he's been with his camera since our last
edition and tells the story of his travels and adventures around Bradford!
Phil’s photography walkabouts!
Since the last Local Leader, I have been out and about with my camera, going to
events and looking at some interesting places within the BD postcode.
SALTAIRE FESTIVAL
The biggest thing for this edition has been my visit to the Saltaire Festival, and
what a fantastic weekend that was! A massive gathering of people and businesses
from all over the Bradford District. This event gets bigger and better every year.
The streets of Saltaire and Roberts’ Park were full to bursting. There were so
many people crossing the bridge from Saltaire into Roberts’ Park at one point that
the procession came to a halt and nobody could move on either side. At the back
of Roberts’ Park was a great funfair with thrilling rides. There were also lots of
stalls highlighting Bradford businesses and selling everything under the sun. On
stage was some amazing local band who really got the crowd going. On sale was
lots of beer by local breweries, which added to the festivity. The organisers made
a really good job of it this year. Well done all! It just goes to show that
Bradfordians know how to enjoy themselves.

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POLICE MUSEUM
The newly reopened Police Museum is a place I
have wanted to visit for some time. There was a
well set-out gallery and exhibits in a large room,
with plenty to read and look at around the room
and very helpful staff manning the place. Next I
was taken on a walking tour around the cells,
which was absolutely fascinating. You’re met at the entrance by a constable
dressed in a uniform from the past. He takes you on an interesting journey
around the old cells. You can absorb the atmosphere and get a feel for what it
was like from the tales the guide tells you. The tour ends in the dock, which is
a beautifully decorated Victorian courtroom used by many TV and film
companies. Well worth a visit.
SHIPLEY GLEN TRAMWAY
A few years ago I went to the reopening of the
Shipley Glen Tramway, and while I was in the
area for the Saltaire Festival I couldn’t leave
without paying it a visit. It was great to see the
people queuing up to go on a Bradford favourite:
the nostalgic ride up to Shipley Glen. Such a
shame that the fair at the top has long gone. But
at least the tramway sill runs, giving Bradfordians
lots of happy memories. The tramway is open
every Sunday from 12noon to 4pm.

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BRADFORD CITY HALL
The magnificent, gothic, 19th-century City Hall had its doors open to the public re-
cently. This is a must for anyone interested in the history and architecture of Victori-
an Bradford. It was designed by the famous Bradford architects Lockwood and
Mawson, who also designed St George’s Hall and Salts Mill. The hall was opened in
1873 by the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Alderman Matthew Thompson. There was also the
chance to meet the current Lord Mayor and a look around the council chambers, as
well as many other rooms in the Hall.
SEDBERGH SPORTS CLUB FUN DAY
A few weeks earlier I was invited to the annual Sedbergh Fun Day, in memory of Eddie
McGuinness, a well-known sportsman killed on Huddersfield Road. Lots of people from
Low Moor and Wyke attended. There were five different category rugby matches
played, and many stalls selling goods,
food and beer. The under-12 rugby
game was between West Bowling and St
Joseph’s (from Huddersfield). West
Bowling were the winners. I enjoyed the
game, with some of the older players
putting on an interesting show – there
was even an Ice Bucket Challenge. A
great family fun day out, rather late in
the year for a Fun Day but they were
lucky with this year’s Indian summer.

4. I will, as usual, be out and about looking at more
projects and events all over Bradford over the next
couple of months. If you have anything you would like
me to come and see contact me on Facebook through
my personal profile or through “All About Bradford”
page, or email me at philrobinson005@gmail.com
HIDDEN HISTORY: WIBSEY & LOW MOOR
A couple of months back I paid a visit
to Little Horton Green and took a look
back into Bradford’s past. Another
small piece of Bradford’s hidden
history lost in time is just off
Cleckheaton Road in Low Moor. Here
you can find a small set of houses, a
pub and a church. Many years ago this
area was a suburb of Wibsey called
Wibsey’s Low Moor, on the border of
North Bierley. The Holy Trinity Church
was once called Wibsey Chapel and
there has been a church there since
1400, but the original was completely
rebuilt by the Victorians and even
renamed. In the graveyard you can
see many graves from the Civil War,
and later, graves of many who
worked for the famous Low Moor Iron
company. There are also a number of
graves from what was called the Low
Moor Disaster, when an explosion in a munitions factory killed many workers.
You can see a memorial to this tragedy in Victoria Park. On Chapel House
Road there is the Holy Trinity vicarage, an old school and chapel and some
lovely old cottages. There is also the Chapel House Pub, very popular for food
and drink in a lovely olde-worlde setting.
INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM CHRISTMAS FAIR
Finally this year I will be visiting the Bradford Industrial Museum’s annual
Christmas Fair. In previous years it has had a warm Christmassy feeling about
it, with food and craft stalls alongside the fascinating exhibits and people
dressed in seasonal clothes. And last year Santa came to visit, bringing a few
reindeers for the children to pet!
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