District's oldest and newest buildings celebrated

Bolling Hall is one of Bradford's oldest buildings and dates back several centuries

From a 14th Century manor house to a market which only opened this year, a range of "fascinating" buildings in Bradford are due to host special events as part of the district's Heritage Open Days.

Between 12-25 September, over 30 free activities would offer "amazing opportunities" to explore the area's history and culture, Bradford Council said.

Costumed characters would be part of the celebrations at Bolling Hall, one of Bradford's oldest buildings, while the new Darley Street Market would show films revealing the area's retail history, a spokesperson said.

"It's great we've over 30 events this year, with many referencing our district's year as UK City of Culture," they added.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council's executive member for healthy people and places, said: "The Heritage Open Days Festival seems to get better and better each year, with more and more organisations joining in."

Darley Street Market will host a series of films showing the retail heritage of Bradford city centre

Parts of Bolling Hall, in East Bowling, date back to medieval times and two prominent West Yorkshire families lived there for more than 500 years.

The Bradford Corporation eventually acquired the hall and it became a museum in 1915.

To celebrate its 110th anniversary of becoming a museum, the special event on 14 September would also include arts and crafts, storytelling and a new exhibit, the council said.

Meanwhile, the week-long screenings at Darley Street Market, which only opened in July, would be shown on a big screen in the Market Courtyard from 12-19 September and would include clips from the Yorkshire and North East Film Archive, according the the council.

Other events would include backstage tours of Bradford Playhouse, a Bronte birthplace walking tour, a talk on South Asian marriage traditions, and a tour of Undercliffe Cemetery to help people learn more about Bradford's cultural icons of yesteryear.

Heritage Open Days is an annual festival of history and culture with more than 5,000 events taking place across England, with this year's theme being architecture.

Ferriby said: "I'd like to encourage as many people as possible join in with these events."

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