Bradford and Keighley Local Studies Christmas and New Year Opening Times

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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

Bradford History Lunchtime Lectures

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Bradford Local Studies Library, Margaret McMillan Tower, Princes Way, BD1 1NN.

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. Booking essential

Mary Twentyman: ‘Nosey Parker’ The story of James Parker, author of ‘Illustrated Rambles from Hipperholme to Tong’
• Thursday 25th January

Dr Simon Ross Valentine: ‘The Royal Statues of Bradford City Hall: a history lesson in stone’
• Thursday 29th February

Janet Senior: ‘Freemen of the City of Bradford’
• Thursday 21st March

Bob Duckett: ‘Book Treasures in Local Studies’
• Thursday 25th April

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 History Lunchtime Lectures

Bradford Libraries Leave a comment

Bradford Local Studies Library, Margaret McMillan Tower, Princes Way, BD1 1NN.

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.

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

Tish Lawson: ‘History of Bradford Theatres’

Thursday 26th October

Well-known archivist and local historian, Tish Lawson will speak about the history and development of the different theatres in Bradford from the early part of the 20th century.

As the home of pantomime, Bradford theatres were the venue for the shows of Francis Laidler known as ‘the King of Panto’.

Alhambra Theatre poster for Mother Goose

Sue Steel: ‘Bradford Union Workhouse records’

Thursday 30th November

Come along to hear Sue Steel, Chair of Bradford Family History Society, talk about Bradford Poor Law Union workhouse and its records. These are held by West Yorkshire Archives (Bradford) and include Admissions, Discharges, Births, Baptisms, Deaths and Punishments.

Hear about the Society’s Heritage Project to transcribe some of these records and stories about the people living inside the workhouse.

St. Lukes Hospital

Keighley’s Inspirational Artists

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Keighley’s artist past and present were celebrated at this year’s Heritage Open Day on Saturday 9th September. Despite it being the hottest day of the year art lovers still came along to listen to the wonderful talks and watch our local artist at work.   

Colin Neville talked about local artists Tom Butterfield & Agustus Spencer and their auspicious carers, Spencer’s run in with activist and suffragette Sylvia Pankhurst was of particular interest.

Furthermore, Colin brought Keighley’s importance in art education to light, highlighting how for fifty years, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Keighley School of Art played a leading role in producing artistic talent of national calibre.  

Ray Vintner inspired the budding artist in us all with his demonstration on how to create a Bronte moorland landscape painting. Ray worked in acrylics, taking us from the layout of the picture and how to create perspective to adding colour and detail to create mood and atmosphere. Ray has been working on his painting so if you would like to see how the painting is coming along pop into the library. 

Stan Boardman’s life was the subject of Tim Neal’s talk in the afternoon. Tim took us through Stan’s journey, from offcumden, born in Maidstone in Kent to household name in Keighley and beyond. The talk was full of images of Stan’s paintings depicting his childhood, growing up in Keighley’s harsh, yet, endearing 1920s. 

The displays on David Kirkley and Footballer Mike Hellawell, both who we sadly lost this year, were manned by Charlie Bhowmick MBE and Barbara Wood who sold books and collected for Dementia Friendly Keighley.  

Simon Wilkinson’s Storytime was very popular and the children enjoyed creating dinosaurs and mammoths to add to the wall art.  

Please come and join us again on 8th October for more events at our Keighley Library Community Day.