Bradford History Lunchtime Lectures

Dr Simon Ross Valentine: ‘The Royal Statues of Bradford City Hall: A History Lesson in Stone’, an illustrated talk.

Thursday 29th February, 1.15pm, Bradford Local Studies Library.
Margaret McMillan Tower, Princes Way, BD1 1NN.

Well known writer, journalist and local historian Dr Simon Ross Valentine will give an illustrated talk on the magnificent series of statues that adorn the exterior walls of Bradford City Hall. The statues, each seven foot high and life-like in every detail, comprise a history lesson in stone revealing the history of England and Bradford’s place in it. Come along and learn about this unique series of sculptures; how and why they were made and the controversy surrounding at least one of the effigies.

These talks are given by members of FoBALS (Friends of Bradford Archives & Local Studies) with Bradford Local Studies Library and West Yorkshire Archives Bradford.

Doors open at 1pm for a 1.15pm start. Free entry to all events but booking is essential.

For more information or to book a place please telephone or email Bradford Local Studies Library, Telephone 01274 433688, Email: local.studies@bradford.gov.uk

Image of statues on City Hall

Keighley Local Studies Library Collections Week

Please note, Keighley Local Studies Library will be CLOSED to visitors for a week from Monday 12th to Saturday 17th February for essential collections work

During this time, the team will be working on the Local Studies and Archive collections in our care and will only be able to respond to urgent enquiries.

Normal opening hours will resume the following week.

Bradford History Lunchtime Lectures – Mary Twentyman: ‘James Parker, his books and illustrations’. An illustrated talk.

Thursday 25th January, 1.15pm, Bradford Local Studies Library
Margaret McMillan Tower, Princes Way, BD1 1NN.

James Parker published his book ‘Illustrated Rambles from Hipperholme to Tong’ in 1904. In it he focused on Bradford and villages to the south of the city.

James Parker’s work includes a wide range of articles on subjects such as: ‘Opening of the Bradford Exhibition by Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales’, ‘Opening of the Cartwright Hall by Lord Masham, and the Lister Family’, ‘Life of Dr Cartwright’ and an  ‘Interesting History of the Bradford Trade’.

The speaker, Mary Twentyman is a well-known local and family historian and organiser of Low Moor Local History Group,

Come along and find out about this remarkable man James Parker, how he conducted his research and illustrated his books.

These talks are given by members of FoBALS (Friends of Bradford Archives & Local Studies) with Bradford Local Studies Library and West Yorkshire Archives Bradford.

Doors open at 1pm for a 1.15pm start. Free entry to all events but booking is essential.

For more information or to book a place please telephone or email Bradford Local Studies Library, Telephone 01274 433688, Email: local.studies@bradford.gov.uk

Bradford Local Studies closed for collections work

Bradford Local Studies Library will be CLOSED to visitors for a week from Monday 22nd to Saturday 27th January for essential collections work

During this time, we will be working to improve access to the local collections in our care and will only be able to respond to urgent enquiries.

The pre-arranged Lunchtime Lecture will still take place on Thursday 25th January for those people who have reserved a place. 

Please note that it is essential to book a place for this event by contacting local.studies@bradford.gov.uk or telephone: 01274 433688.

Bradford and Keighley Local Studies Christmas and New Year Opening Times

Bradford Local Studies Library


• Wednesday, 20 December: open as usual
• Thursday, 21 December: open as usual
• Friday, 22 December: closed
• Saturday, 23 December: open as usual
• Sunday, 24 December: closed
• Monday, 25 December: closed
• Tuesday, 26 December: closed
• Wednesday, 27 December: closed
• Thursday, 28 December: closed
• Friday, 29 December: closed
• Saturday, 30 December: closed
• Sunday, 31 December: closed
• Monday, 1 January: closed
• Tuesday, 2 January: open as usual
• Wednesday, 3 January: open as usual

Keighley Local Studies Library


• Wednesday, 20 December: open as usual
• Thursday, 21 December: open as usual
• Friday, 22 December: open as usual
• Saturday, 23 December: closed
• Sunday, 24 December: closed
• Monday, 25 December: closed
• Tuesday, 26 December: closed
• Wednesday, 27 December: closed
• Thursday, 28 December: open as usual
• Friday, 29 December: open as usual
• Saturday, 30 December: open as usual
• Sunday, 31 December: closed
• Monday, 1 January: closed
• Tuesday, 2 January: open as usual
• Wednesday, 3 January: open as usual