Reunion event to celebrate city's black culture

Revellers at the last reunion event held at Green Lane playing fields in 2013

A celebration of Bradford's black heritage and culture will return to Manningham later for the first time in 12 years.

Hundreds of people gathered at Green Lane playing fields, off Lumb Lane, in summer 2013 to enjoy a taste of Caribbean music, food and drink.

Organiser and community activist Jerry Crawford said he had finally decided to bring back the Green Lane Reunion after being asked by fans "every single year".

Mr Crawford said: "The whole idea of this is to make people happy, get them laughing, to come and meet some old friends and make some new ones."

Mr Crawford has partnered with community and youth groups to organise this year's Reunion event.

He said: "This place brings back many memories and it has many stories for so many people within the area and out of the area.

"This was the hub where black people came to enjoy themselves and to meet friends."

People from all backgrounds attended the last event, which originally dates back to the 1970s

Green Lane School was a well-known venue for reggae dances between the 1970s and 1990s when Manningham had a much larger black population.

People with African Caribbean backgrounds who were living in Leeds, Sheffield, London and further afield travelled to Green Lane to take part.

Mr Crawford, now 64, said: "Well back in the day, as a black person, it was very hard to get places to put events on, so we just put them on anywhere we could.

"For me, I started putting on little events like house parties and then from there, outside parties.

"I got in trouble a few times with the police. But, at the end of the day, we are where we are."

The reunion events are family friendly and open to people from all of Bradford's communities

Mr Crawford, who is a father of five and grandfather of nine, is now back living on Green Lane where he grew up.

He approached the head teacher of Green Lane Primary School for permission to use the playing fields as the event also serves as a reunion for former pupils.

He said: "The last Green Lane event we did was in 2013 in July and that was amazing.

"Since then people have been saying to me every single year, 'when are you going to do the next one?'

"I got the inspiration to do it two weeks ago and we are going for it.

"The way people are talking about it you would think the King is coming to Bradford, so I'm happy about that."

The Green Lane Reunion, running from 12:00 until 19:00 BST, includes food and clothes stalls, music, and is alcohol-free.

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