thetrumpit

Bloss - A Last Tribute

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 15:39:01 GMT

EULOGY FOR KEVIN JOHN WOOD (1949-2025)

Kevin Edgar Wood was born on 12th February 1949 in Stafford to parents who had met during (or shortly after) the Second World War: his mother, Susan, was from near Magherafelt in what is now Northern Ireland and had been a munitions worker in Staffordshire during the war; his father Edgar had served in the Navy and came from Bradford – and it was back to Bradford that the family moved when Kevin was around 1 year old. After a few temporary addresses they settled at Fallowfield Gardens on the new estate at Bierley in a house which was big and modern by the standards of the day. Kevin’s early interest in history became evident when he buried a ‘time capsule’ box in the garden for the interest of future generations – as far as we know it’s still there, although the house itself is no longer standing! At his christening Kevin was given the additional name of Patrick and on his confirmation he chose the name John. As he never liked the name Edgar (neither, incidentally, did his father) he was generally known, officially, as Kevin John Wood, the first of several different names that he would adopt throughout his life…

Unfortunately Kevin’s parents split up when he was around 8 years of age; by this time a sister, Angela, and brother Gary had been born – sadly Gary died a few years ago in Bath where he had lived for many years. Kevin passed his 11 plus and went from St Columba’s primary school on Tong Street to St Bede’s Grammar School on the other side of Bradford, catching the 80 bus to and from school every day. He very much enjoyed his time at St Bede’s where he flourished academically – and he had some good stories about the legendary headmaster Morgan V. Sweeney – but as the eldest of three siblings growing up in a single-parent household in the 1950s he felt the need to start earning a wage to support his mother and accordingly left school at 16 after obtaining CSE French and ‘O’ Levels in English, Maths, History and Art. Kevin was always keen on recalling the different jobs that he had done during those early working years – including a van driver and a crumpet packer at Newbould’s bakery in Laisterdyke.

When Kevin had been growing up in Bierley, and latterly in Holme Wood, he had served as an altar boy at St Columba’s church [see photograph on the back of today’s service sheet] and he’d also been in the parish choir, where he sometimes sang solos of Ave Maria from behind a pillar in the church, being very shy as a boy. In his teenage years Kevin ran a disco for young people at the church hall under the stage name of “The Cardinal” alongside his friend Ray Tate, who was known as “The Emperor” – Kevin’s first experience as a DJ. After leaving school Kevin became very interested in the possibility of a call to the priesthood. He visited the Carmelite order, based at Aylesford in Kent, to explore this potential vocation. Ultimately life was to take him on a different course, but he always retained a very strong faith – and an interest in the Carmelite order in particular.

In Kevin’s early career he worked as an accountant, attaining additional qualifications in accounting, law, economics and business studies. He worked for John Priestman, Southern & Redfern, and Allied Industrial Services, all based in Bradford. In 1969 he married his first wife and they had a daughter.

As he approached his 30th birthday, in the late 1970s, Kevin began to moonlight – accountant by day, DJ on hospital radio by night. He soon realised what he really wanted to do and, on being told by a superior at work that he had to decide between the two, chose the life of a DJ and entertainer – which is how he is best remembered today. In 1978 he began working at BBC Radio Leeds as an assistant, soon graduating to be the presenter of a much-loved programme. He adopted Alvin Blossom as his stage name (and Kevin Kaye as his ‘official’ name), although to most friends from this period onwards he was known simply as ‘Bloss’. Kevin’s years at Radio Leeds were the happiest of his life and the time that he looked back on in retirement as his greatest achievement. The Alvin Blossom show was very popular, regularly attracting high figures of listeners or ‘viewers’ as he always called them (including from darkest Lancashire), and featured the Boy Blossom Club (a pun on the BBC) in which he would enroll viewers who had written in or contributed to the show in some way. By this time Kevin had moved to his beloved Thackley, having taken up residence at the first ‘Cheese Cottage’ on Park Road in 1974, and his radio show often put Thackley on the map – his segment “Tales of Thackley Folk” even earning a feature on the hallowed pages of the Radio Times one week!

During his time at Radio Leeds Kevin also performed as a DJ in many pubs and clubs throughout Yorkshire, under the name of “Special K” in the early days. In the 1980s Kevin often appeared in public under the guise of Alvin Blossom, for example fronting the station’s gala in Roundhay Park, appearing with Harry Gration on Children in Need, and being invited to open a bistro in – of all places – Robin Hood’s Bay. In 1983 he moved from Park Road to 52 Windhill Old Road in Thackley, which he again christened “Cheese Cottage” and where he spent many happy years.

In 1987 Kevin, and his then wife (known as Mildred to Radio Leeds listeners), took on the lease of the Shoulder of Mutton public house just up the road, which sadly closed some years ago. Kevin was in his element as landlord and resident entertainer and many will have happy memories of nights out at the Shoulder with its interesting characters such as Old Jack, Phil Frenzy, and Fozzie Foster. There were also some great parties including on Bonfire Night (for which Kevin invested his own money in an outside decking area), children’s and pensioners’ parties at Christmas, and even an ‘Allo ‘Allo party one New Year’s eve! During this period, Kevin’s Radio Leeds programme moved from daily to early afternoon on Saturday. He was thus able to combine the two jobs that he loved most.

Unfortunately it was not to last. In 1992 Bass brewery decided that the Shoulder was doing so well that they wanted to take it back under direct control and offered Kevin the position of an employed manager, which he refused. Not long afterwards Radio Leeds decided to reorganise its programming and he was offered a different, less popular, slot – again he refused. It was a great shame that both these roles, into which he had thrown all his considerable energy, were not better recognised by the powers that be.

While at the Shoulder of Mutton, Kevin had started to produce a regular pub newsletter, known as the Thackley Trumpit – initially a single side of typed news which appeared weekly. In fact the prototype of the Trumpit had first appeared in the Radio Leeds magazine in the early 1980s with a photograph of him and Gill in a motorbike and sidecar gracing the cover. Publication initially ceased when he left the Shoulder but in 2000, as many of you know, the Thackley Trumpit was reborn and continues to this day. The iconic motorbike and sidecar picture appears again on this month’s cover and, at the editor’s request, a copy of this month’s Trumpit accompanies Kevin on his final journey.

The next phase of Kevin’s life saw him expand into the world of television as a presenter on the cable network for the annual Bradford Festival Television – where the Alvin Blossom show continued in a different form – and also as an actor on numerous productions from 1996 onwards including the film ‘Among Giants’ with Pete Postlethwaite. He also ventured into the world of screen writing and there are several scripts based on life in Thackley just waiting for the right TV producer to discover them! Kevin continued appearing as an entertainer locally and many will fondly remember his quizzes, particularly at the White Bear and (until it closed) the Shoulder, as well as the infamous Play your Cards Right! He also served for some time as steward at Thackley AFC on Ainsbury Avenue. In 2005 he married again and continued to live at Cheese Cottage with two successive border collies called Charlie … and Chaplin the cat!

Kevin retired in 2012 and moved away from Thackley. He had long harboured an ambition to acquire a motor home and do some travelling – he was able to get down to see his brother Gary in Bath and spend some time there. In his last few years Kevin lived at the Tarn House Holiday Park near Skipton where he enjoyed watching and feeding the wildlife … after the death of his dog Petra, which he had inherited from his good friend Brian Foster!

Throughout his retirement Kevin was a generous supporter of many charities, including CAFOD, the St Barnabas Society for convert clergy (for whom he undertook appeals for several years), the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, and – in particular – the St Vincent de Paul Society. The SVP, as it’s generally known, had supported Kevin’s mum in the difficult times when she found herself alone with three children to bring up in the 1950s. Kevin never forgot this generosity and was glad to support the SVP in his later life not just financially but in practical terms, for example by cooking Christmas dinner for (fellow) pensioners at St Peter’s Church in Laisterdyke. There is a plate available at the back of church as you leave should you wish to make a donation to the SVP in Kevin’s memory.

So whether you knew him as the Cardinal, Special K, Kevin Kaye, Alvin Blossom, Bloss, or simply as Kevin, we’d be delighted if you could join us at the Thackley Football Club on Ainsbury Avenue from around 2pm today where food will be provided. There will be a private family burial for Kevin at Bowling Cemetery immediately after this Mass, following which the family will return to the football club around 3pm.

May he rest in peace.

It Wasn't Me!

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 08:15:34 GMT

Recently I was challenged that I might be overly critical of Bradford Council, in particular, its leadership. Criticism is welcome and few of us have anywhere near all the answers in a complex world. That said, I am a born and bred Bradfordian into his seventh decade. Nothing would give me more pleasure to live in a city on the front foot, envied by others; nothing hurts more than our seemingly unstoppable decline over the last few decades.

Not all the fault lies with the council leader, Cllr Hinchcliffe, and yet when a football team is in freefall, they don’t usually sack the tea lady. In business life, the buck stops somewhere and is not a game of pass the parcel. Hinchcliffe’s single biggest problem is that she attaches no personal responsibility to Bradford’s problems despite being the leader of the council since 2016.

Ever since she came to power she has bleated about the effects of austerity, introduced by George Osborne in 2010, six years before she became leader, surely enough time to form some kind of strategy. However, it is always somebody else's fault suggesting that she is bereft of any ideas of her own.

True, councils have been squeezed by central government and many will argue with good reason when you see how they splurge our money; governments do this well too! However, few are anywhere near such a perilous position as Bradford and yet “it wasn’t me!” is the constant wail from the great leader.

Well, somebody presided over the collapse of children's services costing tens of millions; somebody went almost three times over budget on Bradford Live; somebody insisted on a pent-up demand for Grade A office space leaving us with a half-empty glass block; somebody went running to the Tory government she so despised for a £220m bailout only to complain recently that it attracted interest; and somebody still cannot give an opening date (or a final cost) for another expensive folly, Darley Street Market.

There are many more examples of dreadful decision making, the consequences of which will be felt for years. And, you cannot seek to blame all and sundry when you have overseen the wiping out of some £270m of reserves in little over three years.

This year Bradford is UK City of Culture (CoC), an award many locals find ridiculous. It looks like a life raft for the woeful leader, the council itself lumping in £10m of cash they don't have and the city centre getting tarted up whilst the outlying areas continue to see zip.

Pinning her down is not easy - witness her ducking and diving on opening night of the CoC year. When she does consent to give her valuable time to the media her appearances are of car crash material. Recently she would only grant the local paper a telephone interview, a sure sign her ego is now running the show. Ambassadorial she is not.

So here we are now with her last desperate throw of the dice, a 15% increase in council tax which will only plug some of the gap. Double it and she would blow it. Typically, she attempted to hoodwink us claiming it would only be an extra £8-9 a month; which was true only of the lowest band. In the middle ground the rise is circa £30 a month - see below.

Now consider her timing with no local elections this year - a simple coincidence? That she survived a vote of no confidence at the start of the year demonstrated the abject lack of any quality or ambition waiting in the wings. One look at her so-called Executive and you suspect the local comprehensive would have a deeper talent pool.

Nationally, apathy and mistrust towards politics has never been higher; on a local level most would rather chew their toenails than read about local politics. However, this is going to cost generations of hard-working people for many years to come and all to preserve the career ambitions of a single hopeless local councillor.

There are no miracle cures for Bradford but one thing is certain. If Cllr Hinchcliffe cannot be persuaded to quietly step aside, things are only going to get a lot worse.

Idle Village - Proposed Car Parking Charges

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 15:09:30 GMT

New Title

After an impassioned campaign against plans to introduce parking charges in Idle Village, there was a belief that the plan had been dropped. Not so it appears....read on.

Department of Place

Parking Services

Harris Street Depot

Harris Street

BRADFORD

BD1 5HU

E-Mail: parking.services@bradford.gov.uk

Web: www.bradford.gov.uk/neighbourhoods

Dear Steve Wilson

RE: CORP/PCD/DS/416313 – Objection response

I am in receipt of your objection which has been processed through the Council’s Legal Department. The proposed increases to off-street parking charges and the introduction of new Pay & Display at various locations was agreed as part of the budget decision in March 2024. The full council decision was that these proposals would be progressed through the legal process.

We understand parking charges are always an emotive issue and as a Council we’re having to take some tough decisions. We believe that Idle will continue to flourish because of what it has to offer.

We do not consider that the introduction of car parking charges in the car park will impact on the village and the businesses that operate there. There is a vast quantity of free unrestricted on-street parking available in Idle with minimal restrictions.

We do not expect that parking charges will reduce footfall and affect businesses. Where we have previously introduced or increased charges historically, we have not seen changes in parking habits. There will remain free parking on-street available however convenience close proximity parking close to amenities is generally a driver’s preferred option.

There are always some set up costs when introducing new car parks such as the cost of machines. This is factored into the decision to put forward proposals. Maintenance and safety checks are completed regardless of whether charges are in place or not.

We understand the concern people may have on these and other proposals. At the end of the objection period all comments will be reviewed and considered before final decisions are made.

Yours Sincerely

Parking Services

Jeff Potter

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 09:34:09 GMT

A Tribute To The Late Jeff Potter

Taken from my book Fifty Not Out - see www.idlelord.com

This is my modest tribute to a wonderful bloke who we lost recently. Known to so many for not just his sporting prowess but also his unfailing wit and great company; we shall all miss you Jeff.

“The rules of soccer are very simple, basically it is this: if it moves, kick it. If it doesn’t move, kick it until it does.” Phil Woosnam, golfer.

Just about everybody who ever kicked a football I know has had a season or two with one of the longest established Sunday morning football teams in Bradford: Beldon Sports AFC. My debut was on a typically freezing Sunday morning on the appalling rock-infested, debris-strewn home pitch at Myra Shay. Looking over and beyond the city centre vista of Bradford, the wind almost knocked me over.

Being crap meant that football became a natural way to keep very fit, largely because most of us spent much of the game covering mile after mile chasing the opposition, struggling in vain to get close enough to haul them down by fair means or foul.

My first season with them was notable for two things: the coldest of cold winters and the introduction of a new kit, which was as rare as successive wins. The problem with the new kit was simply that whoever chose it had tried to accommodate an entire team on a one-size fits all basis and that meant from our centre forward - Giant - to weedy little me.

In addition our purchaser was swayed by the chance of a job lot and a global brand – Le Coq Sportif – enough to dismiss the fact that short sleeved shirts were fine in the south of France but not on a shitty, wind swept hill-top in Bradford.

Many times I tried to feign injury by ignoring may pal’s frantic knocks on my parents’ door on Sunday mornings, followed by a torrent of pebbles raining on my bedroom window.I even awoke one morning to find him pulling my sheets off the bed although how he got in the house was a mystery; it was the winter of discontent.

Once we got to the game though it was impossible to not have your spirits lifted by a fantastically diverse range of characters that formed the core of the Beldon team for many years. Most were early examples of a new form of Care in the Community, set free to make their own way when they really should have been sectioned.

Special mention must be made of the long serving and much missed manager, the late Joe, who was content to admit he had absolutely no tactical ambitions save to get to the pub without collapsing from frostbite most Sundays. He had worn the same ragged brown anorak for as long as Beldon had been in existence. A shy man of few words he was the focal point of Beldon and in no danger of being poached by FIFA’s technical department.

Joe’s right hand man for a long time was Giant, a colossus of a man who was a prolific goal scorer. For many years we played at the sloping and dog-shit covered Idle Rec. Often we played large parts of most games with ten men as, when Giant went off on a run, he would be almost irretrievable if we were playing down hill unless the gate was locked at the bottom.

If ever Giant was through on a one to one with the opposing goalkeeper he did not bother with any fancy dribbles around the terrified opponent; he merely ran over them, taking man and ball with him into the net.

In midfield we had the complementary duo in Little Angry and Silky. Angry was, in his opinion if nobody else’s, a ball-winner in the mould of those diminutive players over the years such as Nobby Stiles. Others might argue that Angry was a dirty, psychopathic, ticking time bomb who could rarely get through a game without provoking that Sunday morning ritual of the all-out brawl.

His fellow midfielder was Silky, half-blind, bow-legged and slower than me, but convinced he was as good as the legendary Dutch international Johan Cruyff. Weekly, he attempted 40 yard passes out of the municipal mud heaps we played on and generally succeeded only in stubbing his toe in the mud and sending the ball bobbling to the opposition.

However, Beldon’s spiritual leader was the ethereal Pansy Potter a highly-skilled but hard as nuts central defender with a lifelong compulsion for the occasional lapse into outrageous camp behaviour although camp was as far from a description of him you could ever think of. He was a serious footballer and, despite his age, breezed it most Sundays.

Pansy had played at a very good standard at non-league Thackley AFC and was exceptional on the ball, strong and also very skilful. What his advancing years conceded in pace was more than made up for by that often over-used phrase – a football brain – he was streets above the rest of us.

And even if he could not tackle, block or physically assault a rival forward he could always resort to mental disintegration and talk them into submission. If an opposing forward actually passed him, he would chase them as best he could, eventually gaining a submission via a running commentary on their ineptitude. I had never witnessed anything like it on a football field.

And if they did not wilt at this then they still had to face the ultimate test in goalkeeper Screwy. Of all the madcap characters I played Sunday football with I have never met anybody funnier or quicker of tongue than Screwy. He was actually a top class non-league footballer, again playing at Thackley but was allowed to play Sunday mornings on the condition he played in goals.

It was clear that Screwy just needed to be out and about as he probably bounced off walls and ceilings if he ever tried to sit in one place long enough. You barely had time to sit down in the changing room before some rapid-fire, acerbic and hugely funny barb would be winging its way towards you.

On the other hand Screwy could make a ball talk almost as eloquently as he could. When he ran training sessions they were marvellous for their variety, lunacy and for the lung busting stamina sessions as ball skills for us lot were wasted. Recognising we were crap, Screwy made sure we could at least run and run and run.

Joe always watched contentedly from the sidelines whilst counting down the minutes till the pub opened. It is almost forty years since I played for Beldon but unbelievably they are still going. I trust Joe is looking down with a whimsical grin from the heavens.

As for Pansy, I was lucky to know him for many years after those early frozen Sunday mornings. It is a loosely used term but gentleman would be one word I would describe him with. He had grace, wit and intelligence plus old-school manners. And to the end, as a cruel illness robbed his body of the supreme fitness it had once enjoyed he was still as sharp as ever.

You will be missed old boy - thank you for the great memories.

FOOTNOTE

Soon after publishing this I was contacted by Mark Winterbourne, son of Ray who most will have recognised as Giant. Ray was a very gentle giant and a bloody good footballer. Sadly, Ray also passed away recently, aged 81, after a battle with cancer. Ray, together with old Joe, provided so many of us with the opportunity to get out on a Sunday morning and have some great times.

Top bloke! Rest in peace Ray.

Bradford's Clean Air Zone

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 13:28:08 GMT

Smoke and Wing Mirrors

There is confusion and anger in Bradford at the introduction of a Clean Air Zone (CAZ). This is from the council’s website: Instead of being introduced in January, the CAZ will be launched in Spring 2022. This will allow businesses more time to use the Clean Air Funding available and upgrade their vehicles.

In English: We’ve delayed it until after the local elections to stop us getting a big kicking.

Just why would Bradford plough on with a scheme that can only have a detrimental effect on already fragile local businesses? G overnment directed that Bradford should have a CAZ...Council has had a lot of positive feedback from businesses...there is a national shortage of compliant vans and lorries…

In other words blame the government, which is misleading. As for positive feedback, read this from a local haulier. ... it’s...a money maker for the councils. Over the last few years the costs for hauliers on inner city deliveries have increased no end. First came London Congestion charge then the LEZ then the Ultra LEZ and now we have just spent best part of £40,000 on camera systems to help protect cyclists...without...we cannot drive inside the M25 without paying a fine of £275 per day.

I would love a brand new fleet regardless of clean air zones but the cost of new vehicles just don’t allow this...I still run a couple of 10 year-old vehicles. These are due to be changed but trying to get the new vehicle is a nightmare...a 26 tonne rigid...on order since June...is still nowhere to be seen...

We have been awarded 3 grants of £16,000 each for new vehicles...these grants are much appreciated but 2 of the vehicles we are replacing cost £80000 each plus cost of livery £3000 plus a camera and tracker system at £2000....Hauliers are always an easy target when it comes to charges...we pick up the costs and then have to try push them on.

Here is a another from a small business. I work installing garden fencing...I use a diesel van registered in 2004. I live in Halifax, my supplier is in Bradford...they cater for my needs. There is no way I can get to my supplier without entering the zone. Some "advice" we were given was to have materials delivered to my job locations. This works well around 60% of the time. But In the real world it doesn't. Bits of the order are often missing...customers change their mind.

We have been told that businesses can have up to 3 vehicles that don't comply with the scheme, yet when I have tried to apply for exemption, when I put my home address of Halifax, I am redirected to the Calderdale website where I'm told computer says “no”. I think this whole scheme is a huge insult to hard working people.

Back to another local haulage business. The grants are helpful to upgrade older models....the zone...put pressure onto companies to make the whole fleet compliant rather than being able to gradually improve...There are still significant costs when having to upgrade...It’s not helpful that the Clean Air Zones have now been postponed and little information available...it now feels as though the rush of all this added expense and pressure to upgrade was unnecessary.

If cleaner air is the aim then justify plans to divert traffic from the main Keighley Road/Manningham Lane route into the centre onto the already gridlocked Canal Road? Why has the council also sat on a £300k government grant to explore a potential Shipley by-pass since April 2019? The government gave this funding with a request that it was completed in Autumn 2019. Surely emissions are at their peak in standing traffic? And explain reducing the busy Wakefield Road from three to two lanes for invisible cyclists?

An unintended consequence here is that this will pollute the outer areas as vehicles seek to avoid the charging zone - if they can - increasing fuel costs too. Those that still decide to trade in Bradford, that is. Another major source of frustration is the lack of guidance. Exemptions are available but the management of these appears chaotic. I have seen numerous cases where people are being left in limbo. Note too, exemptions only last for two years but will grants?

Imagine a small business with vehicles now effectively worthless facing the double-whammy of having to take on significant debt for replacements, assuming they can source? Note also this for future from the council website. Private passenger vehicles will never be charged. Politicians and claims not to raise taxes should always be avoided.

Here is another quote from business: The Government’s...strategy imposes charges on HGV vehicles which are not Euro V1 compliant. The road transport industry very much supports this objective. The strategy...is unrealistic and does not take into consideration commercial considerations for an industry which, for the most part (85%), is made up of small operators (1-20 trucks), who, even with a grant, cannot afford the investment; the average cost of a truck...between £85 - £100k.

...pre Euro V1 trucks...have been by default devalued and are almost worthless. The normal lifespan is 12 years. A staged approach to clean air zones (RHA study) showed the harmful NOx emissions, already to date reduced by over 50 %, would reach 80% reduction by 2025...if HGV operators are to be fined for entering low emission zones, the consequence could be fewer HGVs and more vans, resulting in more congestion and more emissions!

...the transport industry is the lifeblood of the UK economy, providing 98% of everything we eat, drink and consume; relied upon by supermarkets, fuel stations, schools, hospitals, consumers and industry...With most operators being SMEs surviving on less than 3% net margin, we could risk putting many SME’s out of business.

Here is a summary of the position of all parties standing on May 5th for Idle & Thackley. Conservatives - against: Greens: in favour: Labour - in favour: Lib Dems - in favour: Yorkshire Party - against. A Labour Party election leaflet claims Cllr Hinchcliffe has negotiated a great deal for Bradford. In Greater Manchester leaders believe they can comply without a charging scheme. In Leeds, it was scrapped in October 2020; Derby and Bristol are now on hold.

The Lib Dems claim air pollution is to blame for nearly 40,000 deaths each year...costing the NHS billions . This is confusing as deaths from obesity - 30,000 - are costed at only £500m (BMJ). So confident of CAZ are the Lib Dems there is no mention in their local election leaflet - why? The Greens have yet to surface locally to make their case.

Without doubt we should be doing all we can to improve people’s health but with a fair and accurate presentation of the facts. A tax is not the answer and councils are not legally compelled to charge. This is an ill-thought out reaction to a problem already being addressed by industry worldwide and improvements are being made at pace.

Ironically, few councillors have any business experience, yet they depend on businesses to generate jobs and incomes for the people they supposedly serve. That they are so clearly oblivious of the real impacts here is telling. The CAZ will damage Bradford businesses putting them at a competitive disadvantage to other nearby cities. Already struggling, Bradford centre could become a ghost town. Think hard on May 5th.

Your Money - Wasted

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 07:50:46 GMT

Our Mission is to increase access to opportunity and to the arts for working-class communities…creating original professional verbatim theatre pieces that explore working-class narratives.
www.Bloominbuds.co.uk

Chewing the fat with fellow old-Hansonian Mick in his Idle Greetings shop, I chanced upon a promotional leaflet on the counter entitled Idle Is Bloomin’.

Deposited a few days earlier, two of the “engagement events” it was advertising had already passed; the next was imminent.

You might think that this was along the lines of many villages to enhance their visual appeal during the coming months with a bit of help

from Mother Nature; my greenfingers were twitching.

Sadly not; the body chosen to deliver this “project” is a theatre company focusing on a term that resonates from the seventies – working-class communities. I felt for my cloth cap.

This is from their website: Bloomin Buds is an organisation that encapsulates what it means to be working class while not letting negative stereotypes define you, which is an inspiring ethos.

What?

If this was to promote the village, I was happy to see if The Trumpit could help so emailed them asking a few simple questions. I also copied in the local hierarchy, the three wise councillors.

But first, more waffle: ….we have been commissioned as part of the Spring Back campaign to create some artwork in and around Idle Village…to celebrate what a great place Idle village is…attract more people to come and spend time in the local businesses. We want these designs to be informed by the residents of Idle.

I duly replied asking how local people could get involved, reminding our chosen artists that Idle is a conservation area and not one seeking a makeover reflecting a downmarket Bronx? Parts of it may look like Blackpool beach, others are superb.

There was an obvious problem; the money had to be spent by the end of March; only now were they “consulting”, a term favoured in local government meaning “ we have not got a clue .”

The project is funded by the government £56m Welcome Back Fund; Bradford received £477k announced last August, the same amount it received in August 2020 as part of the £50m Reopening High Streets Safely Fund.

The aims of the fund are to boost the look and feel of high streets by investing in street planting, parks, green spaces, and seating areas…to hold events that will boost footfall…supporting local businesses. Install and refresh signage and communications on how people can stay safe. Improve green spaces on high streets and town centres by planting flowers or removing graffiti.

The next event was at the Idle Beerhouse, buzzing with locals, albeit not there for the event. I was the only member of the public there – what a saddo!

Had I known there would be a lavish publicly funded supper of Boris’s favourite party food, I would not have eaten first and invited the lads too. As people queued in the rain in Bradford centre for food, platefuls would be going in the bin untouched. Square that one?

I was seeking simple enough answers to the following:
– Who determined the need for this project given the wide remit available?
– What was the budget? (An equal share per ward of £477k would be approx. £16k)
– What was the selection process re the chosen providers?

Nobody could answer, including long-served Cllr Sunderland nor the Labour candidate for the forthcoming local elections. The councillor had sent me her own shopping list which would, at first sight, require most of Bradford’s allocation.

The money had to be spent quickly but nothing had been agreed; the main idea - ironically - centred on plastering the village in graffiti.

So how could they have conducted a competitive tender as they claimed?

With all due respect to the young kids from Bloomin Buds, what do they know about economic regeneration? Woefully out of their depth, I felt sorry for them but at least they got a free feed. Of the events preceding this, one was at a Wellbeing Cafe, the other at the Idle Bakery. Whoever heard of a hungry artist?

The real blame lies with the Council; money that was granted last August is now being chucked around like confetti with a process clouded in secrecy with even elected councillors clueless.

How many business people have been consulted? It is not an enormous sum I accept; however, managed well, it could have made a real difference to the village. The problem is those in control simply do not have the skill set.

Frittered away in this manner will have no lasting value unless David Hockney turns up with a brush. And what of the near million pounds granted to Bradford since August 2020?

It is an opportunity wasted.

Down In Pantoland

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Sat, 25 Dec 2021 10:55:50 GMT

“Let’s go to the panto!” I suggested to my Mum several months ago, knowing how she had loved the twenty-five years she had worked between the Bradford Alhambra Theatre and St George’s Hall.

“I’ve seen all the best shows!” she would say, more like one of Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s inner circle than the lady with the flash lamp, melting ice creams and directions to the loo.

These two iconic buildings are testaments to a different age. They are also separated by another, the beautiful old Town Hall, currently – some may say – of far less relevance.

Throw in the old Odeon, to be reborn next Autumn, and you might wonder what is not to like about Bradford city centre.

She readily agreed to the trip, which was a good job as she was paying via the gift vouchers she’d amassed like a secret hedge fund over several Christmas Days.

The lovely lady in the Box Office remembered her well; we were assured a warm welcome. I suggested it would be my first visit but my Mum was insistent we had been before.

“You were bored and sulking because you wanted to be out on the bloody cricket field!”

As it was the depths of winter then most likely I had missed a muddy game of footie, rugby or golf. Dear old Brownie, the groundsman, would have turned up the following day shaking his head.

Contending with the early stages of dementia – or a bit of forgetfulness depending on your take on these matters – she may need to be reminded what day it is. But she can instantly recall the inner workings of the Alhambra to the minutest detail.

For the big day she also had a brand new skirt. On a recent trip, when she stood up to get ready, her skirt simply fell to the floor like a stage curtain collapsing. Typically she just stood there perplexed before telling me to “bugger off downstairs and get me a pin!”

The Big Day

The big day arrived and, although a touch chilly – “it’s winter you dope…did I really drop you on your head as a baby?” – she was ready to go.

We were “nicely perched” as she described, sat in the stalls as the lovely old place started to fill up. If Boris and his cronies could party, Bradford, so in need of cheer, was not going to be denied.

Mercifully, the doors closed and it was on with the show as one more inane announcement by two local DJs would have done for me; when did silence go out of fashion?

The show was quite brilliant and much more than a one-man crusade, albeit Billy Pearce has made this his home for about as long as my Mum. The humour was raw, old-fashioned and uniquely British; all wokes please leave by the exit.

The supporting cast from the spectacular dancing troupe to the small band of characters were also clearly up for it. Kids and adults alike lapped it up.

Come the interval, the old warrior was quick to note the “slow” arrival of the ice cream. “They should be in position before the curtain comes down!” she muttered, although nobody went without before Billy & Co returned.

Encore!

The plot may be thin but who gives a stuff as some of the exchanges are comedy genius. There are plenty of well-understood and well-received barbed references to the beleaguered Boris too.

When the final curtain came there was genuine emotion from the cast and huge appreciation in return from the packed seats. This was what these guys live to do, be it the West End or simply the Bradford panto.

Needless to say they got a well-deserved ovation.

I had one more surprise. Having walked little further than the driveway back home in the last year, she was insistent that I would not bring the car back to the rear doors, despite having parked some way around the corner. “I’m bloody walking it!” she said and wobbled her first steps unconvincingly.

But she made it – somehow – with the same inimitable determination shared by many of her generation.

She grew up not far from the car park. I wondered if I let go, if some distant memory would kick in and she would be wandering the grounds of the University looking for the old back-to-backs.

There might not be much room left in the memory banks for such a wonderful day but I know she had had a cracker – and would she sleep!

Happy Christmas to you all.

Save Idle Moor - More!

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 11:15:31 GMT

There is a group of local people working all hours to try to stop yet more destruction of our dwindling open, green spaces. In my small way I have tried to highlight issues from the raft of legal documents attached to the formal planning application; it is like swimming through treacle. Many are lengthy, highly technical but all - strangely - are wholly supportive of this application. Now...why would that be?

I have used Facebook as the mass medium but have been asked by people who avoid Facebook to summarise my posts and add in anything else. Now, before I lose you, it is easy to object to this vandalism and will take you less than it will to brew a cuppa. SOME COMMENTS ARE ADDED IN CAPITALS.

Simply click on this link - https://planning.bradford.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=QX9RE9DHIX200

It is that easy but time is short because the application was lodged - without public notices nor with our local councillors being aware - on 10/9. We understand that objections must be lodged by 8/10 but we have almost 300 to date. The petition organised before the application hit over 600 signatures - help us please.

A SUMMARY OF FACEBOOK POSTS ON THE TRUMPIT FACEBOOK PAGE

2/9

News of the inevitable with a proposed planning application for 45 new homes on Idle Moor. What I find strangest of all, is the request for feedback from the builder's (Gleesons) consultants, a Leeds based firm called Peacock & Smith. It's like doing their homework for them.

As they say on their website "As part of the planning process, our clients often seek the opinions of key local stakeholders and residents before submitting their planning applications."

TROUBLE WAS THEIR OWN DOCUMENT SHOWING WHERE THESE LEAFLETS LANDED EXCLUDES MANY LOCAL STREETS - HOW BIZARRE?

The website does not contain the proposals at this stage. Consider this from the consultant’s leaflet sent to residents. “Public open space will be provided on site.” It sounds like a prisoner of war camp and seems to override the fact that 1.6ha of existing open space will be lost.

Remember a year or so ago how we valued open spaces?

10/9

One week on and only 80 odd signatures so far. It may be that people don't care about losing another green space but consider:

- the council plan to 2038 has enough provision already for housing in BD10 without this

- there are almost 8,000 empty homes in Bradford, which is roughly a quarter of the total target to 2038

- the total new builds are more than one for every increase in the projected population

28/9

COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

Part of the process is for a bunch of consultants, working for the developers, to produce a report. They are always, would you believe it, supportive. Amongst the guff written is this:

4.2. There were 55 emailed responses and 3 phone calls...a modest response rate of just over 5%. They claim 987 leaflets were posted but their own map shows that many local streets were excluded. This is Banana Republic stuff.

Remember over 600 of us signed the petition so please take two minutes. Do not let them roll us over with a pack of lies.

29/9

Idle Moor - Transport Assessment

This is another report, paid for by the developers, written in fantasy land. It is a 61-page beast but basically says that there will be no traffic issues from another 45 homes perched high up on the moor.

To satisfy Government guidelines it is intimated that people are more likely to walk, cycle or use the bus - honestly, it really does.

Idle is only a ten-minute walk to the doctors and dentists you probably won't be able to get in.

"Cycling...would represent an attractive travel option." You could not make this up...except they have...for the usual fee.

And it is only 40 minutes WALK to the train station.

Finally, they attempt to justify navigating Kenstone by claiming that only 25 two-way trips and 24 at night would take place at peak time.

30/9

Today's extracts are from the developer's submission - Gleeson Regeneration - how can you term destroying open green space regeneration? They cite "health and well-being benefits" which are largely extra council tax and a one-off new homes bung to the council.

They pitch themselves as a low-cost, affordable developer but 55% of the development (above the council's own recommended target of 45%) are 3 or 4 bed detached; the market will set the price in time.

They claim to engage with local schools but the council's own document confirms local primaries are full. Remember the last development generated a paltry £300k for education; can you tell me where the new classrooms are?

The biggest growth in Bradford's residents will be in older people in the next 20 years; this ignores them.

STILL AWAKE?

As many who know me will testify, because I have nothing better to do, I researched several Council documents to support articles in The Trumpit. Here are some key points so far as the plan for Bradford's housing needs to 2028.

Strategic Housing Market Assessment 2019 (SHMA)

To view click here - https://www.bradford.gov.uk/Documents/planningStrategy/Core%20Strategy%20Partial%20Review/Preferred%20Options%20Report/evidence//Bradford%20Strategic%20Housing%20Market%20Assessment%20(SHMA)%202019.pdf

Some key points:

P12-The City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (CBMDC) Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) 2019 provides the latest available evidence to help to shape the future planning and housing policies of the area.

P13-This 2019 study assumes a total of 217,930 dwellings3 . There are an estimated 9,6234 properties (4.4%) which are not occupied, the majority of which are vacant.

The latest 2017 Valuation Office Agency data reports that: • 18.9% are 1- or 2-bedroom houses, 43.7% are 3-bedroom houses, 14.1% are 4 or more bedroom houses; • 8.3% are 1-bedroom flats, 7.4% are 2 or more-bedroom flats; • 5.0% are 1- or 2-bedroom bungalows and 2.6% are 3 or more-bedroom bungalows. Stock condition is a particular issue for the district and associated with terraced houses and older properties.

Bradford District is home to around 10% of the Yorkshire and the Humber’s population and in 2018 the population was estimated to be 537,1736 . According to the 2016-based population projections, the population of Bradford District is projected to increase by 2.4% over the period 2019-2037 to around 549,540 in 2037.

There will be a marked increase in the number and proportion of older residents. The population aged 65+ years is expected to increase by 39.5% from 80,960 in 2019 to 112,950 in 2038 . This compares with an increase of 35.1% across Yorkshire and the Humber and 40.1% across England over the period 2019-2037.

P14-This SHMA report considers future housing need based on the standard methodology

outlined in February 2019 Planning Practice Guidance (PPG). Using 2014-based household

projections and latest (2018) affordability indicators, the minimum local housing need figure

for Bradford District is 1,703 dwellings each year.

Detailed analysis concludes that the following sizes of dwelling are needed: 25.1% one bedroom, 30.6% two bedroom, 28.3% three bedroom and 16% four or more bedroom. A tenure split of 65% rented and 35% intermediate tenure is also recommended.

P15-Over the period 2019 to 2037, the number of older person households is going to increase by around 32,000 and there will be a 39.5% increase in older people living in the district.

Given the ageing population in the district and the identified levels of disability amongst the population, it is recommended that a policy to provide new homes built to accessibility standards is included in the Local Plan.

P42- Dwelling completions 2003/04 to 2017/18-tabular

This is worth a look because it demonstrates how far behind target the Council have been historically. On the flip-side it means that they are desperate for developers to commit. And they then hold all the cards.

P70-The 2019 National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (Paragraph 60) states ‘to determine the minimum number of homes needed, strategic policies should be informed by a local housing need assessment, conducted using the standard method in national planning guidance’.

P71-For Bradford District, over the period 2019-2029, the total number of households under the 2014-based household projections is set to increase from 210,547 to 226,381, a total change of 15,834 households or 1,583 each year (Table 5.1).

P73-Based on the MHCLG standard methodology and 2018 affordability ratios, the minimum local housing need for Bradford District is 1,703 dwellings each year.

P76-Edge Analytics comment that ‘in the face of a net outflow of domestic migrants, net

international migration has maintained Bradford’s relatively youthful population age

profile. However, an estimated fall in long-term international migration, coupled with

the continuation of the domestic migration outflow, could have an important impact

on labour force groups. Bradford needs to retain its working age population to support

economic growth.’ i.e. population is forecast to fall

That's all for now as it is more than enough. Please help by spreading the message that local people have had enough of spin and fabrications designed only to enrich a few. Make your voice heard.

Thank you.

Save Idle Moor

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 06:57:49 GMT

How To Object To The Plans For 45 More Homes

ON BEHALF OF LOCAL RESIDENTS PLEASE SEE BELOW. YOU MAY REMEMBER MY POST FOLLOWING THE REQUEST BY CONSULTANTS FOR YOUR VIEWS ON THESE PLANS 2/9. A WEEK LATER THEY LODGED THE PLANNING APPLICATION, SO INTERESTED WERE THEY IN YOUR VIEWS.

OVER 600 OF YOU SIGNED THE PETITION OBJECTING SO PLEASE TAKE TWO MINUTES TO LODGE YOUR OBJECTION ON THE COUNCIL SITE - IT IS EASY BUT IF YOU GET STUCK FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME - 07771 508729

------------------------------------------------------------------------

A planning application has been submitted by Gleeson to build 45 houses on Idle Moor. To object to this development, please log your comments/objections on Bradford Council's website BEFORE Friday 8th October 2021.

You can do this by clicking on the following link which will take you straight to the application.

https://planning.bradford.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=QX9RE9DHIX200

Alternatively, follow these instructions re p lanning application reference 21/04081/MAF.

• https://www.bradford.gov.uk under ‘Planning and building control’,

• Click ‘View or check the progress of planning applications’

• Input the planning application reference ‘21/04081/MAF’ or type in ‘kenstone’ - here you should see the Planning – Application Summary click ‘Make a comment’

• Suggested Start ‘I object to this proposed residential development for the following reasons…’

Include key points and what impact it will have on you, the community and the local area.

Suggestions for you to consider putting in your comments/objections:

Loss of urban green space – Huge impact to residents. Unable to exercise outside locally, loss of open area unable to walk my dog, fresh air helps clear the mind promotes good health and wellbeing, loss of contact with others social interaction away from the home and computer devices adults and children. Where will local bats roost? concern for insects, local birds and wildlife that are established in the shrubland, extensive biodiversity.

Access to the proposed site – Via Green Lane, Sorrin Close & Kenstone Crescent. Narrow residential roads with tight bends and blind corners. Recent new builds impacting on yet more increases in volumes of traffic on the proposed access route. Pedestrian safety already challenged with limited views of oncoming traffic and minimal pavement for safe travel to schools and work. Near misses with traffic collisions due to residents parked cars.

Increased risk of flooding - In the local and wider areas – groundworks to stabilise development site will reduce natural water drainage, exacerbate the flood risk in the valley and further afield in Leeds. Local residents already have natural surface water run off with heavy rain.

Not in line with Bradford housing needs – proposed housing types mostly not affordable or low cost housing, there are alternative options in the area to meet housing targets eg. developments at Esholt, Westfield Lane, more accessible brownfield sites available offering lower cost builds.

PLEASE INCLUDE PERSONAL IMPACT ON YOU. Safety of your child playing out/walking to school & school spaces.

If you need guidance or any help submitting your comments on the proposed planning application please email: saveidlemoor@outlook.com

Prepared and printed by local residents trying to save Idle Moor

All The Way From Kenya

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 15:34:53 GMT

Recently The Trumpit received an email from Bob R oberts in Kenya as follows.

I run a brass band for disadvantaged kids in Kenya. My mate Dave Walker from All Brass and Woodwind in Leeds gave me an old tenor horn a while back. It is pretty battered but being of English make it is still playable.

On the bell beneath the maker's name it says " I & T P B". After some digging I discovered that this stood for Idle and Thackley Public Band.

I managed to unearth an old photo of the the band 'ont tinternet' taken around 1900 . I am convinced I can see that tenor horn in the photo! The chap playing it would of course never imagine his pride and joy being played in Kenya a hundred and twenty years later.

The picture of the I&TPB shows them pre Great War in a park; the guy holding the tenor horn is in the centre. I wonder how many of the bandsmen returned from the war after service?

This is a story of ordinary people who made your community what it is today. They deserve to be remembered.

On digging a bit deeper I soon got a fascinating response from Gavin Holman who runs a website dedicated to brass bands:

www.ibew.co.uk

Attached is the photo. Sorry I don't have a better version of it. The horn player in question is on the back row, standing behind the bowler-hatted tuba player. Whether this is Robert's horn or not is debatable! There were several brass bands in Idle over the years.

• Idle Airedale Brass Band - Active in 1856 through 1882.

• Idle and Thackley Brass Band - Founded in 1893 by the merger of Idle Brass Band and Thackley Brass Band, bandmaster Albert Wade. Still active in 1943. Secretary A. Holgate in 1902-1907. Officers in 1908 were treasurer Jim Baxter, secretary C.E. Anderton, president Percy Illingworth. Jim Baxter played euphonium c.1910. Johnny E.T. Howard was a member for eleven years before his death in 1916. Conductor T. Powell in 1902, Walter Walker in 1904, S. Thornton in 1905, V. Stanley in 1930. Also known as Idle and Thackley Public Subscription Band at one time. One report gives it disbanding in 1930, but it must then have been revived soon afterwards. Records of the band (1898-1943) are held in the West Yorkshire Archive (Bradford).

• Idle Brass Band - Active from 1853. This may be the same as the Idle Airedale Brass Band. Conductor Mr Fallis in 1872. Isaac Murgatroyd was a member in the 1860s/1870s. Amalgamated with the Thackley Brass Band in 1893 to form Idle and Thackley Brass Band.

• Idle Conservative Brass Band - Founded in March 1867, obtained their instruments in May 1867, bandmaster Mr Terry. Active through to 1875. Also known as Idle Working Men's Conservative Society Brass Band.

• Idle Mission Brass Band - Active in 1891.

Sincere thanks to both Bob and Gavin for this little slice of history.

The March of the Developers

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 08:01:06 GMT

In April’s edition - you can find it here in All Magazines above - I wrote an article attempting to explain Bradford Council’s Draft Local Plan. This sets out the housing requirements for the district for the period 2020-2038 and is a legal requirement set by Government.

At the time I pointed out the difficulty in getting under documents the size of a novel. I made an honest attempt but - hands up - I missed the significance of a land classification termed as call for sites detailed in a supplementary document.

Put the kettle on, stay with me.

Bradford North East includes the wards of Idle and Thackley, the southern part of Windhill and Wrose, Eccleshill, Bolton and Undercliffe (east of Wapping Road), Bowling and Barkerend and Bradford Moor. It has a has a target for new homes (net of existing commitments) of 663 by 2038; land already allocated - preferred options - would more than satisfy this.

Great news for BD10 concrete bombed in recent years? Not so, as a call for sites allows landowners a once in a generation opportunity to submit land previously not considered for development. It could signify the equivalent of a local gold rush with land and house values at all-time highs.

A few weeks ago locals, via Facebook, became aware of the possibility of a significant chunk of land bordering Park Road and Ainsbury Avenue in Thackley potentially being made available for development. I understand that the land is owned by the council and has the potential for a significant housing site. If anybody has information to the contrary please get in touch.

Council policy is to always ensure that developments achieve 50 units to the hectare...a minimum of 35 as an exception. There are three parcels of land totalling approximately 4.7 hectares.

Aside from the blatantly obvious issues such as how hundreds of new houses could access an already restricted area; the loss of recreational green space and habitat; the impact on issues such as local flooding; the lack of infrastructure i.e. schools, doctors etc put very simply this would be madness. But we have seen this madness before.

Could it happen? Nothing is certain in this world especially where vast sums of money could be made. And yet, until we hear anything definitive, it is like boxing in the dark.

But bear in mind our council has little commitment to this area, is cash-strapped and focused on a Local Plan that is city centre oriented in numbers if not values. BD10 is one of the few jewels in the crown.

The Trumpit will try to keep on top of developments; I am grateful for input so far from local Councillor Sunderland. Whilst the two of us would be the first to admit we share differing world views, we do care about this area.

For those who wish to dig deeper there are several links below to documents central to this.

LIST OF LINKS

Draft Bradford District Local Plan - Preferred Options (Regulation 18) February 2021

A beast of a document but if you focus on your area it is just about tolerable.

https://bradford.oc2.uk/document/20?fbclid=IwAR1hKdPKXXZ1s3zo4i5aV01BzkQcDlvx0mBeYl55jouOcKid-FWZdcRsufw

Bradford District Wide Local Plan - Site Assessment Update Report - February 2021

A light read in comparison but still almost a hundred pages. Pages 30-31 are of local BD10 interest.

Sites of a local interest are: Thackley - NE/065 (Mitchell Lane): NE/069 (Apperley Road): NE/071, 75 & 75 (Park Road and Ainsbury Avenue): NE/141A (North of Thackley)

Idle Moor - NE/062 & 128.

https://www.bradford.gov.uk/Documents/BDLP/Reg18/Evidence/Site%20Assessment%20and%20Rejected%20Sites%20Background%20Paper.pdf

Bradford Council Local Plan - Rejected Sites Interactive Map.

A very useful and easy to navigate tool.

https://bradford.opus4.co.uk/planning/localplan/maps/draft-bradford-district-local-plan-rejected-sites#/x:409933/y:438626/z:4/b:14/o:4726,o:4727,o:4728

Footnote: Telegraph & Argus - 09/08/21

You may ask why do we keep ripping up green fields? Especially so now there is a Government pot of money to enable brownfield sites, often more costly to develop, to become more attractive. Here is an extract from a recent T&A article.

Six sites in Bradford have been identified as brownfield areas that could benefit from a multi million pound funding boost. West Yorkshire Combined Authority was awarded a £67 million Brownfield Housing Fund by Government last year as part of the region’s devolution deal.

It is hoped that the fund will help to build 4,500 to 6,000 new homes across West Yorkshire over the next four years. The aim is to develop sites that have remained empty as they are otherwise too costly to develop.

Earlier this year landowners and developers were invited to suggest sites that could benefit from this funding. Six such sites in Bradford will now progress to the next stage, although the location of these sites has so far been kept confidential, with the Authority arguing that announcing the sites could prejudice the funding.

In Bradford sites have been identified that could deliver up to 850 new homes. £9.68m of the Brownfield Housing Fund could be allocated to make these sites suitable for development.

That is a subsidy of over £11k per home to make these sites fit for purpose. You cannot help but think that with either outcome the big developers are still winning hands down.

BROWNFIELD REGISTER

Another useful interactive map. Whilst Bradford Council will not disclose the six potential development sites, based on their own criteria of 50 houses per hectare minimum, you can identify potential sites by size alone using this map. Sadly, there is little comfort to be derived living in BD10.

https://cbmdc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=2134938ccf5843649ef0e555c0926dae

Generation To Let

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 14:11:45 GMT

With property prices soaring nationally and local authorities under pressure to build at record levels, the answer seems to be in the skies. And yet with Bradford amongst the most affordable places in the UK to buy a property, why is it that the young cannot get a foot on the ladder?

[Cover picture is High Point a conversion of the old Yorkshire Building Society Head Office into eighty-seven so-called apartments at the top of town in Bradford.]

I initially stumbled across the comments below back in March and was staggered. It is clear that the recently announced Bradford Local Plan, with ambitions to build 7,000 new dwellings in the city centre over the next seventeen years, is seriously flawed. Consider this from someone living in the city centre.

Last week I had my 4th mortgage declined for a flat in the city centre…I’m passing credit checks each time but the flats are failing based on valuer’s comments! I have tried small flats for £50k, I have tried larger ones at £70k and every time they are coming back with the same issue: “There is little to no demand for the property for owner occupation. Demand for this property will be investor led”. In short, they will not lend because most of the blocks in Bradford have buy to let mortgages on them. it is impossible for people that work in the city to buy here.

All the flats I have applied for have a good LTV (loan to value) of at least 70% and one of them was even 50%. Regardless of this, every flat has been £0 rated on survey! I should also make clear, the flats I selected had the following criteria: a service charge of less than £1500 PA, sensible ground rent, lease remaining over 100 years, no cladding, no known major issues and have a functioning management company. Sadly, this doesn't leave many to choose from.

The city centre accounts for broadly a quarter of the commitment made by Bradford Council to Government in the Local Plan; if these numbers do not stack up, the whole plan fails. And the targeted annual completions are also a stretch based on historic performance. Here is another comment.

…contacted about 4 different estate agents recently who all said that the properties were only really suitable for investors, all for different reasons (most alarmingly, that the building didn't have the right cladding).

This was surprising as much of the stock in Bradford appears to be conversions of old buildings. I do not see much evidence of significant new build outside of the university footprint. Here is another.

I always wondered why one of the cheapest…cities in Yorkshire is so dead…at least for first time buyers this should be the place to be. Flats for £50k…why is no one buying?

In affordability terms, Bradford is one of the cheapest cities in the country and still, young people cannot get a foothold. The Council have plans for a new £23m market but the centre is a ghost town. Yet, if Bradford city centre is to recover, it can only be led by the younger population as the truth is that many – thirties and upwards – have fled after years of ineptitude. The jobs, shops, bars and the money are all elsewhere.

I've always thought that the cheap property prices could be used in the city's favour... that the city could be marketed as a place that people stuck renting could get their foot on the property ladder. Even if it wasn't their ideal location it would become a nice deposit for a future move…if the city centre had more owner occupier then the community would become more settled, and more attractive to others tempted to move into the city centre.

Not only is the centre deathly quiet, it is also viewed as dangerous, especially by women as explained here.

I no longer feel safe here after dark, my female neighbour says the same, my male neighbour is concerned about the lack of policing. 70%+ of the flats are single occupants - if we cannot walk home safely, we may well not go out. When there is a police presence the anti-social behaviour throughout the small hours and vehicles driving and parking anywhere they want stops, so it is entirely possible for the late-night economy and residential to co-exist.

In June The Yorkshire Post published a spread in the property section claiming a positivity around Bradford that is also creating excitement within the city’s property market. This, in the midst of a nationwide property boom, should be of little surprise but the major part of the article focused on the renovation of the iconic Conditioning House mill complex by Priestley Construction.

It is a beautiful old mill and the conversion appears to be top quality, at least judging from the promotional photos, so hats off and credit where due to the developers. According to the article demand has been strong. Just 15 of the apartments are still on the market with over 100 sold off plan was the figure at the time of the article. The worrying thing though, set against a beautiful building being brought back to life - a big positive - is that investors have made up the bulk of the buyers...20 per cent are owner occupiers.

Although the Managing Director of the developer, Nathan Priestley (pictured above in 2018) concedes they had been wanting a better ratio of owner to investor, his primary goal is to sell each and every apartment. Which sums up the issues I began with so far as younger generations getting a foot on the property ladder as against becoming Generation To Let .

Finally, an industry insider said: The bottom has well and truly fallen out of apartment ownership with regards to the lenders viewpoint and the surveying companies. Large surveying firms are worried about being sued by the banks for agreeing values should the market crash or buyers default, and with cladding issues as a lender they are staying clear if they can by down valuing or tactfully placing £0 value on them.

So, I challenge the Council to respond here because clearly their ambitions of 7,000 new homes are hopelessly, perhaps knowingly, unachievable given the change of approach taken by lenders post-Grenfell. And there must surely be a limit so far as the appetite of investors for city centre apartments, especially with an acknowledged over-supply in Bradford already. High quality developments such as Conditioning House will always prosper but at what cost to the existing stock?

How will the council ever achieve any level of regeneration if young people are not allowed a stake in the future of the city? Why trumpet the city as the youngest in the UK if you offer them no future? Our young people are being sold an unachievable and unaffordable dream - they deserve much better.

My thanks to Nigel Burton, Editor, Bradford Telegraph & Argus, for permission to use the pictures attached to this article.

Enchanted Gardens in Greengates - July 31st

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 10:21:11 GMT

Family Fun For Everybody - Greengates

Create an enchanted scene in your front garden for our fairy trail or even make a bigger one with your neighbours in a green area on your street. Our fairy grotto will be at St Johns Church, Greengates (below the fish & chip shop on Harrogate Road) on Saturday July 31st between 11am and midday.

Our fairies will choose two winners to visit later in the day between 1pm - 2pm. The categories are as follows:

- best enchanted garden

- best mythical creature

- best enchanted street

Contact us either through the BEEautiful Greengates Facebook page or by email: fairieswardrobe2015@gmail.com for more details on how to enter and a small entry fee to pay for the prizes.

Lets show the kids some magic in Greengates!

Have Your Say

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 13:37:44 GMT

TNE NEW NORMAL

At a recent Bradford Council meeting of the grandly titled Executive, Cllr Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, stated that post-pandemic there needed to be a new normal as the old normal would not do. How right she was...for once!

Now I realise that The Trumpit is somewhere in the vast desert between The Beano and a local version of Private Eye but we do like to hold our local council to account.

In last months local elections, I chose to strike out my card and wasted my vote; why? Because all bar one candidate were not local and a local councillor should be truly local.

I now find myself sharing a common cause with the Lib Dems, no more a Lib Dem than a heavyweight boxer. But, we have a shared goal of a bigger picture which Bradford desperately needs.

In Sheffield recently, voters fed up by cronyism and dictatorial decisions made behind closed doors, opted for a form of proportional representation so far as Council decision making.

In Bradford we have the so-called “executive” system with a small number of hand-picked councillors - nodding dogs - from the ruling party. In Sheffield, the new committee system will represent each party so far as the number of seats they hold.

Whilst unlikely that the big decisions will be affected hugely - the ruling party will always have more votes - it offers greater accountability and visibility. The Lib Dems have tabled a motion for a similar referendum here though I suspect few will be aware.

I support the principle but it must be a cross-party initiative as the ultimate aim is for a more collaborative and consensual governance. Bradford desperately needs the best of all ideas and people working collectively.

Consider this if you live in Idle & Thackley? In 2019 Cllr Hinchcliffe was re-elected to her Wrose & Windhill ward winning 1563 votes, comfortably less than 1% of the total Bradford electorate. As leader of the ruling party she gets to hand-pick her inner-sanctum: Cllrs Duffy, Ferriby, Khan, Jabar and Ross-Shaw. Happy days!

Here in Idle & Thackley - local electorate 13,560 - the Lib Dems have generally held sway, perhaps indicating the aversion locally to the two main parties, perhaps indicating a little bit of stubborn independence? It means that the 34% of you who did vote recently, did so to no effect because the ruling Labour group dominates.

Don't believe me? In recent years a number of major capital projects for recreation and sport have been announced in Bradford. These include mainstream sports such as cricket and football; swimming pools; sports villages and public parks.

Show me where the money tree has shaken here in BD10? We have been ignored for far too long and it is a travesty. The petition is here:

https://www.bradfordlibdems.org.uk/a_better_bradford

For Sheffield read Bradford; we need radical change. As Cllr Hinchcliffe says, the old normal is not good enough.

James Maggenis - Local Hero

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 07:44:50 GMT

This article is reproduced with the kind permission of Tony Newsholme, first published some five years ago.

A few weeks ago I asked if anyone knew of James Maggenis. The reason for this was I knew he had links to Idle working at Rank Wharfedale and living at Swain House; I would like to thank everyone who responded and contributed to this.

This is the story of his bravery and the photos below are of the man himself, the actual diving suit worn on the mission, the XE-3 submarine and the Japanese battleship Takao.

James Joseph Magennis was born on October 1919 at Majorca Street, near Grosvenor Road in Belfast. He left St Finians school on the Falls Road at the age of 14 and in 1935 followed his elder brother Bill into the Royal Navy. The spelling of his name seems to have originated in a Navy clerical error as originally the family spelt their name McGinnes.

A trained diver, he made two exhausting dives to attach magnetic mines to a Japanese cruiser during the Second World War. He received the Victoria Cross (VC) for his bravery.

Magennis joined the Royal Navy when he was 15 years old. During the Second World War he moved from serving in destroyers to submarines. He then volunteered to serve in midget submarines (any submarine under 150 tons, used to enter harbours where full size submarines couldn’t go). O ne of his duties was attaching magnetic mines to ships.

On 31 July 1945, his midget submarine XE.3 attacked the Japanese cruiser Takao in Singapore harbour during a covert operation. When the sub was in place, Magennis tried to get out to attach his six mines to the ship. But he found it had jammed under the cruiser's hull and that the hatch wouldn't open properly. His only option was to strip off his equipment and squeeze out.

Once outside the sub he found the hull was too dirty for the mines to stick, so he had to carefully scrape it clean with his knife. Magennis spent 30 nerve-wracking minutes completing the task, with the constant risk of discovery.

Magennis then rejoined the crew of XE.3. Their final task was to drop two large explosive charges under the ship, but one failed and had to be released by hand. Although exhausted from his first dive, Magennis insisted on going back out to free the charge. It took him seven minutes using a heavy spanner, before the charge could be released and the midget sub could escape.

Magennis received a VC for his bravery during the attack on the Takao. He continued to serve in the Navy until 1949 when he returned home to Belfast with his family. Unfortunately in 1952, he lost his job and was forced to sell his VC. The medal was later returned to him by an anonymous benefactor, on the condition that he did not sell it again.

Magennis spent the remainder of his life in Yorkshire working as an electrician. He passed away in 1986.

FOOTNOTE - Joe was our old next door neighbour, a very quiet unassuming man. He came round one evening after having talked to him about his experiences with his medals to show Michael and myself. Ben and l went to the War Museum in London and went to have a look at the VC collection. As soon as we entered Joe's medal collection and story was straight in front of us, having actually held the VC, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Feel very lucky and honoured to have known the man. Andrew Pickles

When The FA Cup Came Home

Thu, 13 May 2021 08:43:09 GMT

This article is reproduced with kind permission from the Visit Bradford website which, amongst many things, showcases the fabulous galleries and museums that Bradford enjoys. As lockdown eases take a look at what is on offer locally.

This weekend is the FA Cup Final; 110 years ago the cup came home...read on.

As this year’s FA Cup competition nears its completion, fans of Bradford City Football Club will know that a special milestone is reached. This weekend will be the 110th anniversary of City winning the cup, overcoming Newcastle United 1-0 at Old Trafford, Manchester, following a 0-0 drawn final at Crystal Palace.

The ‘Coming Home’ bit refers to the trophy itself, which was designed and made by Antonio Fattorini of Bradford. It’s also the tenth anniversary of a special exhibition held at Bradford Industrial Museum in 2011, to celebrate the centenary of this historic victory. It was a huge project, involving a large number of museum staff, volunteers, representatives of the club itself and football fans near and far.

Many of the players’ family members attended the exhibition, which was filled with photographs and memorabilia. Perhaps the highlight was the bringing together and displaying of no fewer than six of the players’ winning medals.

A tragic and poignant footnote to this story is that several Bradford City players from this era lost their lives in the First World War which began just three years after the cup final victory. Captain and winning goalscorer, Jimmy Speirs, for example, was killed during the notorious battle of Passchendaele on 10th August, 1917. He is buried at Dochy Farm New British Cemetery, near Ypres in Belgium.

Support Your Local Club

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 15:06:17 GMT

The Start of Things To Come?

Running any sporting club is far from easy but with the impact of two successive stop-start seasons, Thackley AFC have not had it easy. However, the club has been working hard not simply to survive but to come up with new initiatives that may well contribute to a very rosy future. This Sunday the bar will be open from 12 noon for outside service to welcome the numerous walkers using Ainsbury Avenue to access our wonderful local green spaces. To complement this, The Spitting Pig catering truck will be on site from 11am to provide the best hog roast sandwiches around.

For those who just fancy a coffee and a bun, The Bean and Bay coffee van will be serving delicious coffees and homemade cakes. This is a prelude to the club hoping to stage a farmer’s type market this year, hopefully starting in May or June, with a view to this being a regular event.

Enquiries and applications have already been made about hosting this type of event, alas, conditions have restricted the club from going ahead just yet. However, with most of the restrictions being lifted in mid-May and all by mid-June, the hope is to host a market on a monthly basis. Feedback has been positive from both local people and the council; it is just a matter of finalising dates and applications.

For now come along and support the club - maybe you've never been before - so take a look around too.

Always Here For You

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 16:36:21 GMT

We're Always Here For You

In many ways, daily life at Anchor’s Bradford care homes is still very much the same, where the care and welfare of our residents remains at the heart of what we offer. Our food is still freshly made, with a choice of daily menu and seasonal variations during the year. Our catering teams take the time to find our resident’s preferences and tailor diets to meet each person’s individual nutritional requirements.

For those who wish to be more active, we provide a wealth of socially distanced activities, where we encourage people to spend their time as desired. We have regular light exercise, as research has shown that exercise can help prevent falls, improve bone density and help with general mood and wellbeing in older people. We also enjoy celebrating our residents’ birthdays with cakes baked in our kitchens and helping them spend their special day as they wish.

Whilst the world around our Anchor care homes in Bradford has changed, we’ve continued to work hard to keep our residents safe and happy. Our residents have access to up-to-date technology, allowing for regular Skype or Zoom calls with family and friends. The NHS generously donated Facebook Portals to our 114 care homes in England. This has enabled more of our residents to video call their loved ones, which has made a positive difference to them and provided reassurance to families.

Our highly qualified staff team have implemented robust guidelines around PPE and precisely adhere to required policies. Our cleaning procedures are also comprehensive, to ensure our residents maintain a great quality of life, and more importantly, are safe. Our care teams are passionate about what they do, dedicated to delivering quality tailored care and specially selected for their personal qualities, such as being instinctively warm with a natural desire to help.

We are very pleased that our Springfield care home is rated as Good by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Ashcroft is rated Good with an Outstanding element for Care and Mill View achieved the highest overall rating of Outstanding. We appreciate feedback from family members on our care, where Ashcroft received a lovely compliment noted in their most recent full CQC Inspection report.

"The care given to [relative] was exemplary which is always heart-warming. The attention to detail is obvious, plus my spirits are always lifted after a visit, mostly due to the staff I now feel to have been welcomed as a member of the Ashcroft family and for that I am truly grateful."

Anchor is part of the Anchor Hanover Group, which is England’s largest provider of care and housing on a not-for-profit basis. We provide care and housing at almost 1,700 locations in England and we have more than 50 years of experience in providing care and housing to older people.

We are here to answer any questions you may have regarding our care. We provide residential and residential dementia care, both on a permanent basis and for shorter stays or respite. Our Bradford care homes can be found on social media. For more information or to enquire for yourself or a loved one, please call us on the telephone numbers below or visit www.anchorhanover.org.uk/care-homes :

Ashcroft care home 01274 965676

Mill View care home 01274 061596

Springfield care home 01274 061813

Finding Fulfilment In A Shed

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 11:29:18 GMT

Tackling mental health and wellbeing through shared passions and community

“If you sit twelve men in a circle and ask them to chat about their problems, the first six will disappear, the four after them will hide in the corners and the remaining two are just too slow to get to the corners!” jokes Allan Clarke from the Lion’s Den in Keighley “However, if you put a broken lawnmower in the middle of them and ask them if they could help fix it, within an hour they’ll know all about each other.”

Allan Clarke speaks fondly about how his passion for woodworking comes from time spent with his dad as he made toys at home from random bits of wood. It’s a hobby that he’s carried through his whole life and has recently led to an opportunity in life that has brought tremendous satisfaction and fulfilment.

Allan is one of four founding members of an award winning ‘Men’s Shed’ based in the grounds of Cliffe Castle in Keighley. It’s an initiative designed to tackle health and wellbeing amongst individuals by drawing them together around activities. The Men’s Shed movement began in Australia during the late 80s, when a Yorkshire man decided to do something about the heartbreaking suicide rate amongst men. The movement has since gone international and there are now 800 sheds in the UK.

The concept is simple: it’s a space where men gather together around common interests such as woodworking, gardening and model railways and more; in the midst of this environment people naturally begin sharing life with each other.

“A lot of the time you don’t think you’ve got mental health issues, you just feel a bit down, but when you examine what’s going on in your life you realise that maybe it’s a bit more than that” Alan says. “By getting out and doing something physical, it takes your mind off it for a start, then meeting other people you realise that you’re maybe not as bad off as you thought, and other people have had similar issues.”

Men’s mental health has definitely had more airtime over the last few years and in the UK alone the stats shockingly report that every two hours a man will take his own life. “It’s inherent in men that we lock things away, we don’t share or open up,” Allan explains, “We feel that we’re macho, that we can manage – so we bottle things up and become introverted and isolate ourselves.” This is one of the reasons why a lot of mental health issues with men fly under the radar.

Like most people, Allan has had to face his own challenges in life. Six years ago he was diagnosed with Osteoarthritis, which has impacted his joints and consequently his woodworking. Currently he’s in the middle of a really challenging situation at home with his wife’s health. So he understands how circumstances in life can begin to erode wellbeing.

The Lion’s Den was birthed after Andy Ryland from Community First Yorkshire came across Allan’s community woodworking classes and introduced him to the Shed concept. This led to a meeting with the Parks Manager at Cliffe Castle, Dan Palmer. Dan saw the vision immediately and was able to offer two massive greenhouses and a stone workshop as a home for the Shed. Three months later the Shed was launched on 19th September 2019. “We couldn’t have got where we have without like-minded individuals at the council – the help and support from the public health team has been wonderful” says Allan.

Allan’s been blessed with a wealth of experience through his career – from being in the RAF, a Project Engineer and Manager for Magnet, a college lecturer and finally an activities coordinator for care homes. Talking about what motivates him in this new voluntary role, he says “Now I’m retired, all I want to do is pass my knowledge on – I want to give something back. Passing on skills and teaching people is where I get a buzz, but the teaching really is just a peripheral to the core of tackling mental health and wellbeing.”

Allan knows the issues they’re addressing aren’t just exclusive to men, so he and his team decided to open up the shed to women too, and before lockdown hit they were running all kinds of activities: woodworking, gardening, singing lessons, laughter hours, Koi carp breeding, model making, model railways, sewing, with around 25 percent of members being female. There is a difference he’s observed though “Women open up face to face, whereas men open up shoulder to shoulder as they work alongside each other.”

The Shed has been a huge success and grew to 40 members within the first six months. Some were referred through social prescribers like charities and GPs, others found out about it through word of mouth. Its members are as diverse as their life experiences – architects, teachers, musicians, business owners, award winning magicians and renowned Koi carp breeders.

Allan shares how some individuals were suicidal after losing life partners or living with debilitating illnesses – many felt isolated and cut off from society, lacking purpose in life. It’s clear that he’s immediately seen the benefit of the Shed to its members and tells wonderful stories of how lives have been improved and deep friendships have formed. He doesn’t want to take credit for anything and says that it’s a team effort, speaking instead about how the success relies on every member of the community.

As you learn about the Shed and its activities, you also find out that it’s incredibly community focused, working alongside charities, care homes, churches and youth groups. There seems to be a culture of working for the benefit of all. Old tools from house clearances are nurtured back to life and sent off to much needed communities through ‘Tools for Africa’, or packaged into ‘reminiscence boxes’ for the men in local care homes. It’s this community spirit that has earned Allan and the Lion’s Den a well-respected reputation in the local area.

Allan’s now become the North of England Ambassador for the UK Men’s Sheds Association, and he’s already involved in setting up another Shed in Keighley along with identifying other opportunities across Bradford. Reminiscing about his experience over the last 18 months, Allan says “What I’m doing now is really up there in terms of life fulfilment and purpose. Seeing individuals become more responsive, sociable and less stressed. Life is about fun and enjoyment and without that, you might as well give up.”

Allan finishes by saying “There are way more people suffering with mental health than I thought, it’s more common than I’d like to admit and there’s going to be a big need for facilities like this when we come out of this pandemic.”

In retirement, Allan has found a cause through the Lion’s Den that uses all his life-experience, skills, passion and character which ticks all the boxes of fulfilment in life. As humans we’re designed for community, it’s how we realise that we’re not alone, and standing shoulder to shoulder we share the highs and lows of life and find purpose, belonging and friendships.

To find out more about the Lion’s Den visit:

https://www.facebook.com/The-Lions-Den-Shed-Cliffe-Castle-106039077505313

To find a shed local to you visit :

Menssheds.org.uk

The Building That Would Not Die

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 22:27:54 GMT

Taken from the The Trumpit February 2019

“ Many hold the Odeon in considerable affection, but virtually nothing of it, except the decaying outer shell, remains. The building has lain empty for four years. Is it not time to keep the good memories and move on? ”

Maud Marshall, Chief Executive, Bradford Centre Regeneration, 2004.

It was only when I read an article in Private Eye back in 2012 that I became fully aware of the long battle to save what most in Bradford know as The Odeon, a name that does little justice to a building referred to in a recent television documentary as The Palace of Dreams. The wrecking balls, primed by both those in office and others with less altruistic ambitions, had hovered for years. This will come as no surprise to Bradfordians, weary of inept councillors, drip fed pie in the sky proposals for decades as numerous consultants cashed in and fled.

The Odeon, originally the New Victoria, was built in 1930; the red-brick theatre and cinema claimed to be the third-largest auditorium in England. Designed by the prominent Bradfordian pre-war architect Alderman William Illingworth, the twin-domed structure boasted an Italian renaissance interior design. If any building could, it reflected Bradford’s journey from rags to riches to rags again.

The Beatles performed there twice; other names included Bill Haley and the Comets, Buddy Holly and the Rolling Stones. It was the first in the country to be fitted with Cinemascope in 1954; in 1969 it was split into Odeon 1 and 2 and in 1988 the magnificent ballroom was converted into the Odeon 3. By now, due largely to changing times, its glory days were long gone and in 1997 owners Top Rank Bingo ceased trading with the closure of the cinema following in 2000.

ABANDONED

Left abandoned it was not until 2003 it passed into public ownership and the hands of the now defunct quango, Yorkshire Forward (YF). The future looked bleak despite a consultation exercise, carried out in 2004 after the Bradford Centre Regeneration (BCR) Master plan was unveiled. It found that the future of the Odeon was top of people’s concerns.

Maud Marshall, BCR Chief Executive, said its future was being reconsidered in the light of demands for it to be retained alongside the City Park plan. This was a ridiculous scaled up Legoland produced by Alsop architects (who also produced a plan for Barnsley as the Tuscany of the North) funded by Yorkshire Forward and Bradford Council.

“Bradford lends itself to a completely different kind of approach – not only do people generally like open space and water, it pushes up property values dramatically ” gushed Marshall. “ We would be very respectful of the city’s architectural heritage. People in the city…want to see modern architecture sitting alongside Bradford’s architectural heritage .”

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

Bradford was once full of stunning Victorian architecture but the wanton destruction and the ugly concrete blocks built only to be flattened to make way for the Broadway shopping centre still make those old enough shake heads in dismay. Marshall eventually got her pond at a cost of £30m but with little sign of any property boom flowing. In the background a tireless campaign to save the building included numerous groups united by a passion for the building and what it meant to the city, refused to see another part of our heritage flattened.

Despite the words of Marshall, those in control seemed hell bent on demolition. A torrent of misinformation and dirty tricks ensued culminating in actual physical vandalism to hasten the buildings decline. As Private Eye wrote, referring to Yorkshire Forward: This quango claimed the cinema was beyond saving and demonstrated that by cutting water pipes in the building, further wrecking the interior.

In 2005, a report by structural engineers Arup, instigated by YF/BCR, concluded the only options were to demolish the whole building or demolish most of it and keep only the facade. Once again Marshall assured us: " As a result of what we have learned…we have decided to take further soundings from the people of Bradford."

This was bluster with a competition announced soon after for a structure to replace the Odeon, deal done whatever the public sound bites offered by Marshall and the Council. Things then took several twists.

ACROSS TOWN

In 2006 plans to revamp the city’s St George’s concert hall were revealed. Private Eye claimed this explained the consistent opposition towards the campaign to save the Odeon site from local paper, the Telegraph & Argus (T&A), which could have benefited from an extension to the St George’s site via its adjacent, redundant press halls.

Numerous articles from the T&A suggested its editorial lacked balance but, notably, its correspondent, Mike Priestley, remained consistently opposed to the demolition plans. “ The people who are now deciding the way forward for this city are pursuing their visions without much in the way of genuine consultation with those who live here. ”

Meanwhile, Leeds was on with plans to build an arena much needed to attract larger events away from Sheffield and Manchester as Bradford dithered. St George’s would eventually be refurbished a cost of almost £10m The T&A’s redundant building remains emp.ty.

The winning plan for Marshall’s competition – conducted under near Third World ballot conditions – was announced by developers Langtree Artisan Ltd and Carey Jones Architects including a hotel, restaurants and galleries with Bradford College moving some of its activities to the New Victoria Place development. Deal done and dusted and surely bad news for the twin towers?

KARMA?

As we all know it never happened with another master plan for the bin labelled “Bradford”. All the main parties behind New Victoria place have either gone bust or been dismantled and Marshall is nowhere to be seen as the twin towers stood defiant. In the period 2003-09, BCR spent over £35m of public money including £536,000 to allow delegates from Bradford to make four successive trips to the MIPIM property conference in Cannes.

The building was eventually off-loaded to the Council with Government money to make good the internal vandalism carried out by…Government money! There then followed a long battle to determine a future use for the building culminating in the successful bid by Bradford Live to restore the building to a live music and entertainments venue to be operated by the industry leader NEC Events.

There remain many doom mongers who doubt anything good can come of our city. It is to the enormous credit of the many individuals who fought so long and hard against a campaign of publicly funded misinformation that the building now looks to an exciting future. This building has the power to transform the city centre.

The Nation's Favourite Dish

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 08:55:30 GMT

Published by Seafish - the public body which supports the seafood industry in the UK

The original teatime treat that’s a win for the whole family. Whether you’re fan of tradition or prefer something a little different, fish and chips are enjoyed from the seaside to the sofa. We explore the nation’s favourite paper parcels of joy – from their inception in the UK, to the facts around health and balanced living.

Breaded or battered? Pickled onion or pickled egg? Salt and vinegar or ketchup? However you enjoy it, everyone loves fish and chips. It’s officially the UK’s number one takeaway. As a nation, we can’t get enough – with seven million portions of it sold every week. Fish and chips heritage goes way back. Did you know, for example, that your favourite Friday night dish played a part in the D-Day landings? Or that you can get a dose of vitamin C from a regular portion of fish? Find out more about the meal, and what makes it so special.

There’s a debate over the birthplace of the country’s favourite fast food — with both Lancashire and London fighting for the title. However, it’s believed the first official fish and chip shop opened in Mossely, near Oldham, in 1863. That doesn’t mean the capital loses this debate, as Dickens mentions a fried fish warehouse in the 1839 classic Oliver Twist, some 24 years before. Some even go so far as to speculate whether the famous line “please sir, I want some more” was about the dish…

By 1896, you could get your hands on a fish supper for only 4p in the first sit-down chippy in Whitechapel, London. In 1910, there were over 25,000 chippies across the UK, climbing to 35,000 by 1927.

Fish and chips were also one of the very few foods not to be rationed during World War Two. The government appreciated how much of a boost the dish was to people all over the UK. What’s more, we had a fantastic supply of it from the waters surrounding us. The term even became something special for those fighting away from home at the time. British soldiers identified each other by crying out ‘fish’ and waiting for the response of ‘chips’ during the D-Day Landings in 1944.

As treat day meals go, fish and chips pack a lot more than flavour alone. The dish provides essential vitamins including Vitamin C, B6 and B12. The trio collectively help support a healthy immune system, as well as the health of both your brain and nervous system. Add to that omega-3, iron, zinc, calcium and iodine (which help with everything from your immune system to your sense of taste and smell – more on these benefits here and you’ve got yourself a tasty treat full of nutrition. It might also surprise you to know that the total fat content of an average meal (48.2g) is less than a lot of pre-packaged lunches and other takeaway options – win, win.

Remember, it’s all about balance. A little of what you fancy now and again isn’t a bad thing, providing you enjoy it as part of a healthy diet. Read here for further advice on how to best support a balanced lifestyle. We go through 380 million portions of fish and chips in the UK each and every year. That’s equivalent to almost one portion every two months for every person in the UK. But, thankfully,there’s enough fantastic chippies to keep us going – we’re proud to boast over 10,500 specialist fish and chip shops in the UK. A figure that outnumbers both McDonald’s and KFC.

The History of Buck Mill Bridge

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 12:37:28 GMT

First published in the Telegraph & Argus 17-1-21

Local historian Norman A Alvin traces the history of Thackley's historic Buck Mill Bridge:

There has been a crossing point of the River Aire near the site of Buck Mill from at least Medieval times. A trackway mentioned in a 1393 court case came from Idle along the current Buck Lane and across the River Aire at the ford near Buck Mill. From there it was joined by another track from Guiseley, through Hollins Wood to Esholt then passing through Baildon by what is now Station Road and over the moors to Bingley.

The shallow part of the river near Buck Mill provided a natural site for a ford. At some time a cobbled surface was constructed under the water, and the remains of this ford can still be seen along the bank when the water is low. Later a series of stepping stones, or hippins as they were called locally, were constructed, allowing people to cross without getting wet, but over time they became unstable. There were frequent occurrences of people falling into the river and getting their clothes wet, and in times of flood the stones became dangerous and there were instances of people being swept off and drowned.

The 19th century saw a steady increase of populations of the townships of Idle and Baildon, and consequently an increasing number of people needing to commute between them. The only alternative to fording the river was to use bridges at Shipley and Apperley Bridge. Both entailed a lengthy detour of about three miles and at one crossing, a payment toll.

The first official concern about the crossing came in December 1872 when the Idle and Baildon Local Boards agreed improvements were needed. They thought it was the responsibility of the County or owner of adjoining land, General Stansfield. In 1876 the poor state of the stepping stones was brought to General Stansfield’s attention; he replied that he didn’t think he was liable for the upkeep of the crossing. Following this, the Baildon Local Board, which was reluctant to increase the rate burden for its citizens, declined to co-operate further with the Idle Board in securing a safer crossing. There came a period of inaction until the matter was raised again in 1884 when both Boards agreed that they’d have to foot the bill for any improvements. Various plans were drawn up but the Baildon Board was reluctant to undertake any great expenditure and thought that Idle, having the larger population, should bear the greater part of the cost. This attitude was to sour the future planning and construction of the bridge.

General Stansfield was willing to allow his land to be used for the bridge and approaches. The configuration of the ford and stepping stones meant that people crossing the river had to pass through the yard of Buck Mill, the General was keen to put an end to this and proposed that the bridge should be wide enough to carry horses as well as foot-passengers. The first plans were well to the west of the mill with passengers going down Buck Lane, then across a field to cross the canal by means of an overflow tunnel. Eventually a compromise was agreed with the site for the bridge being just to the west of the mill with an access path from Buck Lane and the existing route through Buck Mill yard closed off.

A plan for the bridge was finally agreed in May 1888. It would be an iron bridge 208ft long and 6ft wide, at a total cost of £778. The cost was to be shared between the two Boards, although Baildon was adamant that they wouldn’t pay a penny more than the £389 they agreed to. The bridge was designed by Messrs. Jowett Kendall and J Harper Bakes, Idle architects, and constructed by Messrs J Bagshaw and Sons of Batley. The Idle Board was to organise and oversee all construction, which began in September 1888. It was estimated that it would be ready for foot passengers by the end of October but a number of delays meant the bridge wasn’t completed until well into the following year. The opening ceremony took place on April 19, 1889, with members from each Board present. After the bridge was declared open the Board members retired to the Great Northern Hotel in Thackley for a celebratory meal. The Baildon Board invited members of the Idle Board to a reciprocal meal in Baildon on May 1.

A description of the bridge appeared in local newspapers, giving many technical details. The bridge, originally painted red, is constructed of iron and consists of three spans supported on pillars. The approaches on each side are 6ft wide and slope gradually down to the bridge platform. The foundations to the piers and abutments are cement concrete, 5ft below the river bed. The piers are built of sandstone ashlar from Windhill Wood End quarries, filled in with solid rubble and concrete. The superstructure of the bridge is 12ft above the level of the river bed and consists of three 88ft spans supported by piers and abutments, making the total length of the bridge 264ft. The superstructure is constructed entirely of 40 tons of wrought iron. Railings and hand-rails are alongside each main girder.

Wire netting was later added to the hand-rails for extra protection to children. At both ends of the bridge there is a metal plate bearing the names of members of both local Boards, the architects and the Batley constructor.

Dibbers At The Ready

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 11:20:24 GMT

Spring is in the air

Welcome back to the plot and hopefully some warmer and drier weather. You’re all probably chomping at the bit to start getting some seeds planted; but hang fire...patience. Get the marigolds on and a bucket of hot soapy water, It's time for a good clean...

Doug Deepley

Read more from The Trumpit's gardening guru in March's edition out February 26th

Keep On Rockin'

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 08:48:04 GMT

Coming soon...new local music column...here's a taster for better times

Since I was a five year old toddler, I’ve always wanted to be in a rock band, fifty years later that dream became reality. After clumsily trying to play bass a few years back – hey it’s only got 4 strings how hard can that be ! I swapped it for an acoustic guitar and after some prompting from some guitarist friends I swapped that for an electric guitar and have never looked back.

So now I’m in a great covers band called Whiskey Shed with four accomplished musicians. And with some great tuition off other guitarists I can play loads of tunes, after only 3 years of playing I can play tunes ranging from Tracey Chapman to Motorhead, from Marc Bolan to Stevie Wonder.

We’ve now many a gig under our belts, playing in pubs and clubs all around the area from Weddings to biker rallies. The accolade was when we played on the main stage at the Black Bull in Baildon for the Harley Davidson Rally and when we came off the chap in charge said ‘’ I want Whiskey Shed headlining next year ! ‘’

We were also asked to carry out jam sessions at the Brewery Tap in Idle, myself and Reg our drummer accepted the challenge, although very daunting as neither of us had done anything like it before, we gave it our all and after the first session it became an absolute blast with loads of fresh bands and musicians of all abilities getting up and playing a vast range of tunes.

One success story is a young band called ‘ The Flow ‘. We first met Josh a 14-year-old guitarist who got up with us and smashed out Sunshine of your Love, we then bumped into Abi a drummer, she was amazing and then we corralled them into a band with Eve and Matty. This band play a great mix of tunes and are popular wherever they play.

Although we’d love to still carry on the jam sessions, it got too much due to Whiskey Shed picking up more and more gigs, so we concentrated on getting our ever-changing set list down.

The moral of the story is once we have seen the back of Covid, if you fancy having a dabble at playing whatever instrument you play, and at whatever level, head down to one of the local pubs or venues where jam sessions take place, don’t be afraid no one is there to judge, my pal Duanne from Sons of Robin ( another fantastic local band ) had to actually turn me around to face the crowd I was so nervous the first time I played a few years ago.

But here I am rocking out tracks from all sorts of bands and genres of music in a great band, the feedback, comments, handshakes, backslaps are just an incredible feeling……..and you get paid for it ( unless it’s a charity gig which we’ve done many times ).

Keep practicing and this theme will hopefully continue with more coverage on live bands and local venues in the next Trumpit edition.

Celebrity Plug?

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 14:56:20 GMT

What's the forecast?

On a quiet weekend away and some idiot insists he won't go away until you hold up a copy of a local mag...sorry Paul! Ed

Haunted House Fear Fest online Horror Festival 2021

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 12:00:49 GMT

A Quiet Night In?

The Haunted House Fear Fest opens its door on 12th March until 21st March on XERB.TV. Due to the COVID situation, the festival is being held online, and I would like you to invite you to watch our PREVIEW SHOW. which will give you an introduction and insight into what you will find in the festival.

PREVIEW SHOW - shorturl.at/iBX56

FULL EVENT ON XERB.TV - https://xerb.tv/channel/hauntedhousefearfest/virtual-events

You can find more information at www.hauntedhousefearfest.com

You can also download the festival Program below by using the short link.

DOWNLOADABLE PROGRAM:

Full Program: shorturl.at/nCE14

Festival Outline: shorturl.at/avEUV

HAUNTED HOUSE MEET-UP ROOM

We are also holding a series of meet-ups, and for this, we are using the Jit.si platform the official meeting times are below, make sure that you have the right time zone connection. We will be online and look forward to having a virtual drink and chat with you.

1. Saturday, 13th March 2021 – 19:00 GMT/UCT (7 pm) Meet and Greet

2. Tuesday, 16th March 2021 – 19:00 GMT/UCT (7 pm) Midweek Meet-Up

3. Saturday, 20th March 2021 – 19:00 GMT/UCT (7 pm) Festival Round-Up

https://meet.jit.si/HauntedHouseMeetupRoom

PLEASE NOTE:

1. Films not in English will be accompanied by English subtitles.

2. *** Indicates a special introduction from the filmmaker.

3. A synopsis and more details can be found in the Festival Program

Hope you can watch and I still hope to do something at the Idle in summer.

Anthony

Eggstravaganza

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 09:26:28 GMT

An online community event coming soon!

Event by Fairies Wardrobe

Online Event

Apr 3 at 12 PM – Apr 5 at 6 PM

Price: Free · Duration: 2 days

Public · Anyone on or off Facebook

Easter Eggs Trail and Easter Bunny parade!

Please press Going on the event to see updates ��

Easter bonnet competition

Easter egg competition

Easter outfit competition

The Day The Trumpit Made The Guardian

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 14:32:58 GMT

From The Northerner, Guardian Unlimited's weekly digest of the best of the northern press
Martin Wainwright, 13 Dec 2007

I'm pleased to bring you the Thackley Trumpit this week, partly because you have to go to Thackley to buy a copy, which is rare in our internetty age. It's an intensely local record of the hillside suburb of Bradford next to Idle (home of the famous Idle Working Men's Club, which ranks with Loose Women's Institute in Kent among Britain's great institutions).

The Trumpit incorporates the Idle Chatterer and is, perhaps predictably, a minefield of puns, including its own title and an entire column on page three. This relays fantastically tortuous wordplay; shaggy dog stories about, for instance, a chess convention's grumpy hotel manager concluding: "I can't stand chess-nuts boasting in an open foyer."

The Trumpit is fearless about local news, however, and has a robust bash at the local police, which may influence a fragment of opinion about the current national pay dispute. The whole front page is given over to a dramatic account by Alvin Blossom - slightly suspicious byline, but I haven't traced the pun yet - about two officers ignoring a gang of tearaways careering about on quad bikes. This has the erudite (and of course punning) headline Quad Vardis? But unlike St Peter on the Appian Way, a local woman driver who narrowly avoided a collision with the gang got no satisfactory answer from a patrol car. After telling her: "It's not us, it's the government. They have told us we can't chase these bikes because of the danger," the officers apparently closed the encounter by asking her to move on because she was holding up the traffic.

You can't always be sure about these things, of course. When I did a quick Google for the 25p Trumpit in case it had a website, I found a crusty denial by Idle primary school of a story last year that they were scaling down their Nativity in favour of a "winter play" - an old local paper chestnut, which nearly always turns out to be wrong. We're prone to slips in our trade, of course.

Food Capital of Bradford

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 12:03:39 GMT

A Cake Crawl

A mark of any place to live being considered "on the up" is the choice of independent shops. In the UK's growing coffee culture, the emergence of the independent coffee shop, competing against the giants such as Costa and Starbucks, has been a rare bright spot on our high streets in the last decade. Here in North Bradford, several high quality businesses have established themselves as firm favourites.

The new kid on the block, The Idle Bakery, not only restored a piece of the village's history but now has plans, minor issues such as pandemics allowing, to open a complementary coffee shop adjacent to the bakery. As with all our local coffee shops, The Idle Bakery is just that bit different; whereas the multi-nationals are formulaic and often bland, in every local shop you get the owner's personal stamp.

Down the road is the quaint Miss Butterfingers, next door to The Idle Draper - a pint and a scone? Known for their superb cakes and scones, you could be forgiven for thinking you were sat in a Yorkshire Dales tearoom once inside. It's quirky, unique and, most of all, the cakes are marvellous. A wonderful place to wile away a bit of downtime.

On leaving Miss Butterfingers, if you can resist a pint at The Draper - when open - it is only a short walk to the Idle Lounge Coffee House and, again, something a bit different. After restoration works to extend the coffee house, this is a space that has enormous potential in better times. At the risk of sounding like someone from far further South, this one is a bit classy. For now, more coffee and cakes but what a great wine bar this would make...just saying folks!

Time for a stroll now to make way for one last bit of cake down to McCallan's at Thackley where the wonderful themed dining nights have had to be put on hold for now. This is a great pity as they were always very popular with locals. Like all the above, McCallans are continuing to trade on within the restrictions in place and their afternoon teas are what a "meal deal" should be - a great selection and value.

Finally, until recently we only had one non curry-based restaurant, itself a relative newcomer - The Daisy Bar - and a very enjoyable experience. The interior is smart enough to have a Leeds feel and the food is very good. Surely, with the evidence locally to suggest the area has even more potential, what chances of a restaurant in Idle Village too?

Of course, it will take deep pockets and a leap of faith. Then again, just like the people above...

A Market For Thackley?

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 08:54:14 GMT

A View From Muppet Hill

Regular readers of Muppet Hill, our monthly update from Thackley AFC, will be aware of bold plans to introduce a Farmers' Market for the area. As a means of offering the area something different and an obvious source of income to the club, this has lots of positives. In February's edition, the club fleshed out how this might work. That said, there is a long way to go but we wish them luck.

One bright prospect is Thackley's hope to add a monthly market to the local calendar of events. The club is proposing to organise a local Farmer’s Market when it is safe to do so. We benefit from a large amount of space, ample parking and facilities, including the newly renovated clubhouse. As a result of the pandemic, it is anticipated that people will be looking for more options to support local people and businesses. The market would be an ideal opportunity for the community to come and support all that is local and good.

With stalls set out on the all-weather pitch, leaving the car park free, we hope the clubhouse will be open to have a sit down and a drink. There has been a lot of interest including a hog roast stall, coffee stands and various vendors, most regulars at this type of event. Early meetings with council officials have been extremely positive and they have confirmed they would be able to support the event when restrictions are lifted. It great boost to the club, local traders and the community too—fingers crossed!

Before then, ‘pop-up’ type food / drinks offering has been suggested to be open at weekends only but what is possible will depend on advice of the authorities. On some days, when the weather has been kind, it has been hard to find a parking space down Ainsbury Avenue. A food and drinks stall would give a local business a chance to cater for users of the avenue.

When times allow, Thackley would also be looking to open the bar to provide facilities for those wanting to rest a while and have a drink. We are lucky to have access to great walking routes and local beauty spots supporting numerous activities. The ancient woods have much wildlife, including birds and deer. A recent video on Facebook showed a Greater Spotted Woodpecker chipping away at a tree.

Look out for details of both the market and the ‘pop up’ stall. We will keep you posted here and elsewhere hoping for these to be held earlier rather than later this year.

The Big Easter Egg Hunt

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 08:27:09 GMT

The Big Easter Egg Hunt

News from Wiggles Play Space who have organised a Community Easter Trail with prizes. Decorate an egg and pop it in your window; feel free to go as BIG and CRAZY as you’d like. Email us with your address wigglesplayltd@gmail.com if you’d like to take part in the trail. We will create a map with the streets on that will be taking part and will share it on our Facebook group before Easter Weekend. Get out and about with your families and enjoy a walk around your neighbourhood, looking at everyone’s amazing designs.

The Galacticos

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 08:26:23 GMT

Galacticos – recipients of a £200 Bill Craven Memorial Fund Grant matched by Brendan @ Compass Cleaning

The Galacticos are a bunch of local kids who simply love playing football. For years they have been supported by our friends at Idle Post Office with regular new kits.

With the onset of winter, we were delighted to provide the kids with new branded hoodies with the generous help of local business folk at Compass Cleaning.

Local Charity | Gambian Schools Trust

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 08:15:16 GMT

Local charity – Gambian Schools Trust

This is a local charity working hard to improve the lives of people in Gambia. "Can you please thank your readers for their generous donations of goods to sell. We are still collecting to fund future projects. This photograph is a new pump well and a wall around an area which is now a successful ladies’ garden. The scheme was set up to encourage more families to send their children to school which is not compulsory in Gambia. Each mother who sent a child to school was given a plot in the garden to grow things for their family with surplus to be sold." Hillary Lawther—01274 613707

Local Hero | Ridu From Thackley

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 08:08:03 GMT

Local Hero | Ridu From Thackley

Ridu was first featured in the February 2021 edition. A quiet lad who seeks no publicity, he is an unsung local hero, dedicated to trying to keep our streets clean. Despite the selfish idiocy of a few who seem to think it okay to discard litter at will, Ridu and others patiently try to counter this behaviour.

In February, The Trumpit announced we would fund local groups to acquire picking equipment up to £50 to get started. If you want to start a group to keep your local area tidy, please contact us.

Morocco or Bust '69

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 08:03:12 GMT

Morocco or Bust '69

1969: the year The Beatles played their last public performance on the roof of Apple Records. The year ecstatic crowds, numbering upwards of 500,000, watched 32 acts perform outside in the rain at Woodstock and Cult leader Charles Manson and a group of his disciples murdered five people, including Sharon Tate, in her Los Angeles home, and last but not least, a group of what turned out to be seven energetic young men in their 19/20s decided to turn their backs on the mundane day to day toils working in the mills / print works around Bradford, deciding to leave the “take a chance” weather conditions the British summer offered behind them and spend their summer holidays in the adventure of a lifetime driving to Morocco … read more in the March 2021 edition.

The Bill Craven Memorial Fund

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 07:59:48 GMT

The Bill Craven Memorial Fund

The fund was set up when The Trumpit was revamped in 2018 so that we could put something back into our local community, in particular to help those people helping others. It is a simple idea; we plough back 20% of any surpluses we make plus those donations which individuals and businesses make specifically for the fund. We then try to make a bit of a difference locally.

Here are the people we have been able to help so far: Bradford Sea Cadets, Bradford Swimming Club, Centrepoint, Crisis, Nd Dance, Holy Trinity Church Community Hub, Galacticos Junior Football, LuvaBulls and the Springfield Centre.

The fund has also previously made donations to the Christmas lights for both villages. For 2021 it will be on a matched funding basis; you tell us your idea and introduce a sponsor and we will match their donation up to £200. All we ask is that the good cause is reasonably local or benefits local people. Please let us have your ideas.

Idle Green By Local Artist

idlelord@sky.com (Steve Wilson) — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 07:48:30 GMT

Idle Green By Local Artist John Trueman

John is a very well-known and prolific local artist. He's also provided a couple of covers for The Trumpit and his paintings are always great value. You can contact John via The Trumpit or his Facebook page, Brush Strokes. He will also do commissions on request.

thetrumpit

Bloss - A Last Tribute

It Wasn't Me!

Idle Village - Proposed Car Parking Charges

New Title

Jeff Potter

A Tribute To The Late Jeff Potter

Bradford's Clean Air Zone

Smoke and Wing Mirrors

Your Money - Wasted

Down In Pantoland

Save Idle Moor - More!

Save Idle Moor

How To Object To The Plans For 45 More Homes

All The Way From Kenya

The March of the Developers

Generation To Let

Enchanted Gardens in Greengates - July 31st

Family Fun For Everybody - Greengates

Have Your Say

TNE NEW NORMAL

James Maggenis - Local Hero

This article is reproduced with the kind permission of Tony Newsholme, first published some five years ago.

When The FA Cup Came Home

Support Your Local Club

The Start of Things To Come?

Always Here For You

We're Always Here For You

Finding Fulfilment In A Shed

Tackling mental health and wellbeing through shared passions and community

The Building That Would Not Die

Taken from the The Trumpit February 2019

The Nation's Favourite Dish

Published by Seafish - the public body which supports the seafood industry in the UK

The History of Buck Mill Bridge

First published in the Telegraph & Argus 17-1-21

Dibbers At The Ready

Spring is in the air

Keep On Rockin'

Coming soon...new local music column...here's a taster for better times

Celebrity Plug?

What's the forecast?

Haunted House Fear Fest online Horror Festival 2021

A Quiet Night In?

Eggstravaganza

An online community event coming soon!

The Day The Trumpit Made The Guardian

From The Northerner, Guardian Unlimited's weekly digest of the best of the northern press Martin Wainwright, 13 Dec 2007

Food Capital of Bradford

A Cake Crawl

A Market For Thackley?

A View From Muppet Hill

The Big Easter Egg Hunt

The Big Easter Egg Hunt

The Galacticos

Galacticos – recipients of a £200 Bill Craven Memorial Fund Grant matched by Brendan @ Compass Cleaning

Local Charity | Gambian Schools Trust

Local charity – Gambian Schools Trust

Local Hero | Ridu From Thackley

Local Hero | Ridu From Thackley

Morocco or Bust '69

Morocco or Bust '69

The Bill Craven Memorial Fund

The Bill Craven Memorial Fund

Idle Green By Local Artist

Idle Green By Local Artist John Trueman

From The Northerner, Guardian Unlimited's weekly digest of the best of the northern press
Martin Wainwright, 13 Dec 2007