Young People to Uncover Bradford’s Overlooked History

In anticipation of the UK City of Culture celebrations in 2025, young individuals are set to revive overlooked aspects of Bradford’s heritage. Youth organizations have received financial support from Historic England, empowering them to determine the most effective methods for commemorating the city’s lesser-known historical narratives. These stories will be depicted through various artistic mediums, including murals, theatrical performances, and interactive guided tours. Rhiannon Hannon, who serves as the director of creative engagement for Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, stated: “Bradford is one of the youngest cities in the UK and young people feeling connected to their city and its history is a really important part of our City of Culture year.” The “History in the Making” programme has provided funding for four distinct projects, with each allocated a maximum of £15,000. Participants will commence their work in January, and the completed projects are scheduled for public presentation in the autumn. Finn White of Historic England noted that a significant portion of the participants originate from under-represented communities. He elaborated, stating: “So it’s people who might not necessarily study history at school or be taken around museums by their parents.” White further added: “We’re really looking to connect with young people who might not see exploring local history as an option for them” The Manningham Heritage Project, one of the initiatives, focuses on participants investigating the local Bangladeshi heritage. Collaborating with artists and craftspeople, the group intends to produce a creation that integrates aspects of Bangladeshi culture, art, language, and traditions. A separate project will highlight the previously unacknowledged history of individuals with learning disabilities who were employed in Bradford’s mills during the 19th and early 20th Century. Ms Hannon emphasized the significant value of the opportunities these projects provide for the participating young people. She remarked: “They will be marking the places where they live and that’s the place they walk through every day of their lives so they’ll see themselves physically represented in the streets where they live.”