Bradford Woolly Heritage
Whats all the fuss about wool?
This nation was, literally, built with wool. From before the Norman Conquest raw wool exports were paying for churches, cathedrals and abbeys; castles and armies. The Speaker of the House of Lords still sits on a woolsack as a symbol of where the wealth of the Nation once came from.
Bradford Woolly Heritage wants to ensure that the history and culture of the wool industry in Bradford is remembered, celebrated and plays a central role in Bradfords bid to host City Of Culture in 2025. Holding events, talks, walks, listening to the people of Bradford, and building on the history of Bishop Blaise and the wool trade to create rich and vibrant contributions to 2025 and Bradford City of Culture. We have found that people respond very positively to what we are trying to do. The Bishop Blaise and wool story interests people; craft wool is a massive and growing hobby; and almost every who lives in Bradford has personal or family links to the wool trade and seem to be proud of the fact.
Our Plan
Wool is part of the warp and weft of our nation and especially our city. We want to capture this culture and explore ways of sharing it to celebrate Bradford 2025.
We also recognise and engage with all the communities who moved to Bradford to work in the mills and celebrate their contribution to multicultural life in Bradford.
We have some ideas about how to celebrate aspects of Bradford's history - and we are open to any other suggestions!
- Revive the Blaise Wool Festival
- Offer talks and walks to share aspects of Bradford's history with the community
- Develop new resources to allow more people to share their connections to the wool trade and Bradford
We are actively seeking to link with groups involved with wool whether it be, commercial, social, recreational or Bradford based to think about new ways to engage with the people of Bradford. We are always happy to support local events and can adapt and tailor our shows. Please get in touch to discuss if you would like us to come along to your event.
Founding Members
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Glyn Watkins
Glyn moved to Bradford many years ago and has become an honorary Yorkshireman with a passion for the history and people of Bradford and Yorkshire which he has turned to good use with writings and performances.
A former primary school teacher, poet and showman Glyn has added to the cultural warp and weft of Bradford. As well as creating The Bring Back Blaise’s Festival, and International Hat Throwing Competition Glyn has also created and run Curry and Kipling shows and The Little Britton Festival (celebrating Thomas Britton the Musical Coalman of Clerkenwell Green). He was a Company Director of both the Shipley Glen Tramway, and The Priestley Centre for the Arts. He blogs and since discovering instagram he posts about his life and travels around Bradford.
Dan Horsman
Daniel moved to Bradford from Leeds in 2013 and in 2018 took over at the Jacobs Well pub in the city centre. He has a keen interest in local history and wants to share the fascinating stories of Bradford's past with a wider audience.
Julia Armstrong
Julia moved to Leeds in 2019 from London. She started out in the fine art world and in the 2000s retrained to become a careers adviser and educator. In recent years she has worked with her husband on his art and music projects Greyswood Art and Seven by Seven. Always fascinated by what shapes the world in which we live she is excited to be a part of Bradford Woolly Heritage and looking forward to finding ways to share what we uncover.