As BBC Radio 4’s ‘Prayer for the Day’ marks its 55th anniversary on 6th July, the spotlight turns to Bradford, the UK’s City of Culture 2025, for a special celebratory takeover. From Friday 5th July to Friday 11th July, six voices from Bradford’s richly diverse faith communities bring thoughtful storytelling and prayers, broadcast each morning at 5:43am; nestled between ‘The Shipping Forecast’ and ‘Farming Today’.Recorded at the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, the contributions shine a light on the city’s unique blend of cultures, stories and spiritual traditions and offer listeners across the UK a glimpse into the heart and soul of this special city.“To be able to showcase the voices of Bradford, the City of Culture, on Radio 4 for Prayer for the Day’s anniversary is a real privilege. Bradford is a city with a rich mix of culture and faith, and it’s always a pleasure to experience the hospitality, warmth and storytelling that define it.”Carmel Lonergan, ProducerContributors:Revd Ned Lunn, Canon for Intercultural Mission and the Arts, Bradford CathedralJane Williams, Editor of The Bradford Synagogue StarHaridas Sharan, Hindu Priest and NHS/Prison ChaplainFuraha Mussanzi, Singer, Storyteller and Pastoral Care Leader at The Light ChurchSimmy Sekhon, Solicitor, Entrepreneur and Spokesperson for the Yorkshire Sikh ForumSaarah Hamayun, Spiritual Care Practitioner at Martin House Children’s Hospice Photo credits: Tom Rank / Lydia Rose
Trying out stitching, having a go at stone carving, and seeing weavers, spinners, dyers, embroiderers and lacemakers in action are just three of the many activities, exhibitions and installations you can discover at ‘Crafting the Cathedral’, a two-day event taking place on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th July 2025 at Bradford Cathedral. Running from 11am – 2pm on each day, the Friday is aimed at those interested in textiles and crafting, and the Saturday for families and children. Both days are entirely free to attend and open to everyone, with some additional paid-for tours for those wanting to delve deeper into the textile and craft heritage of the Cathedral. The two-day event is part of the city-wide Bradford Heritage Festival taking place over that weekend, as well as being part of the Cathedral’s “Weaving Stories” project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Friday 11th July is a day for those interested in textiles and crafting. Between 11am and 2pm, you can: See the Bradford Guild of Weavers, Spinners & Dyers demonstrating different types of weaving, using Turkish spindles and spinning wheels. There will also be examples of their work for you to view and you will have the opportunity to spin wool which you can then add to our loom weaving See the ongoing work of the Stitching@Bradford Cathedral, the Cathedral Stitching community group, creating William Morris & Co. inspired kneelers for the Lady Chapel Try your hand at embroidery stitching using stitches from across Europe and beyond, similar to those that will be used on the final tapestry design on our loom See the Craven Guild of Lacemakers demonstrating bobbin lacemaking, with samples of their work on display Alongside these free activities, you can also sign up to one of two Ecclesiastical Textiles’ Tours, at 11am and 1pm, where you can discover more about the Cathedral’s collection of beautiful, intricate and historically significant ecclesiastical textiles. Families and children are welcome to come along from 11am – 2pm on Saturday 12th July where you can: Take part in free colouring and craft activities available for children See the West Riding Stone Carvers Association demonstrating their craft in the Cathedral grounds and there will be the opportunity to have a go yourself Test your knowledge with the Natural Dyeing Quiz, having a go at matching the wool to the plant Try your hand at embroidery stitching and simple card weaving See Who Made My Clothes?:The International Feltmakers’ Association, Yorkshire Branch, will be exhibiting work about the ethics of the fashion trade. And the Bradford Guild of Weavers, Spinners & Dyers and Cathedral Stitchers continue their activities from Friday There will also be a special paid guided Craft Tour on the Saturday at 12noon, which will give you extra information about some of the Cathedral’s beautifully crafted features, objects and textiles. Alongside these special pop-up activities, you can also: Weave your story into the Cathedral’s loom at the West End as part of the on-going tapestry project View the Knit The Stripes installation, a 15-metre-long warming stripe display that charts our changing temperature from the 1850s to the present. See Woven Lives, a powerful artwork using woven coloured glass and symbols, lit from within, telling the lives and stories of the people of Bradford. Maggie Myers, Director of Education and Visitors at Bradford Cathedral, says:“This is going to be a fantastic two-day craft heritage event, celebrating Bradford and the Cathedral's textile heritage. We will have skilled craftspeople practising their crafts, opportunities for people to join in themselves and a number of interesting exhibitions linked to textiles and other crafts. “By booking onto one of the special tours, there is also the opportunity to look more closely at the magnificent textiles, stained glass and other crafted pieces in the building. We can't wait to offer this one-off special event!" Vicky Clifton, Executive Director of Bradford Heritage Connection says:"We are thrilled that Crafting at the Cathedral is a key part of the Festival programme. The heritage crafts of weaving and stone masonry in the magnificent setting of our Cathedral, honours our rich cultural heritage in Bradford but also connects local communities and visitors to the craftsmanship that has shaped our history." ENDS ‘Crafting the Cathedral’ takes place on Friday 11th July and Saturday 12th July from 11am – 2pm. You can find out more, download the flyer, and book your place(s) on the three tours at https://bradfordcathedral.org.uk/event/crafting-the-cathedra
All are invited to hear the Rt Hon. Baroness Sayeeda Warsi in conversation at ‘Re:Imagine Faith Conversations’, taking place at Bradford Cathedral on Saturday 5th July 2025, starting at 7:30pm. Baroness Warsi will explore the shifting and contested landscape of interfaith relations in the 21st century, answering the question ‘How is this playing out in places like Bradford and what can we, as City of Culture, learn from our good and more challenging experiences of the past?’ The evening will begin with a Sufi singer at 7:30pm followed by a conversation between the Rt Hon. Baroness Sayeeda Warsi and the Rt Revd Dr Toby Howarth, Bishop of Bradford. Following this, food of dhal, rice and accompaniments will be served, alongside an opportunity for the audience to engage with the topics raised, in small groups. The evening will conclude with a further open conversation and music, after which there will be an opportunity to buy copies of Baroness Warsi’s two books and get them signed. Tickets are £15 + booking fee and are available from https://faith-conversations.eventbrite.co.uk or by contacting Bradford Cathedral. The Revd Canon Ned Lunn, Canon for Intercultural Mission and the Arts, says:“At Bradford Cathedral, we stand in our centuries-long tradition as a gathering place for encounter: a space where people have come together across differences to meet, to listen, and to grow in understanding. As convener for the city, we’re passionate about creating spaces of real, honest conversation, where we can be brave, curious, and genuinely open with one another, not just skimming the surface. “Rooted in our story, yet always looking forward with innovation and openness, we long to foster intercultural connections that challenge, enrich, and transform us. This event, taking place during the Bradford Literature Festival, is all about wrestling with the big questions of faith, identity, and community in a way that’s real and hopeful. We’d love to see you there.” ENDS ‘Re:Imagine Faith Conversations’ takes place at Bradford Cathedral on Saturday 5th July, starting at 7:30pm. Tickets are £15 (plus booking fee) and can be booked at https://faith-conversations.eventbrite.co.uk
Hundreds of visitors have already woven their story into the loom set-up at Bradford Cathedral’s West End – and this Summer you’re invited to continue the creation of this exciting tapestry, which will go on display in early 2026. Everyone is invited to come and weave, regardless of skill or experience. There are full instructions available, in different languages, as well as more information about the history of weaving in the city – and it’s completely free to take part in! The loom is typically available from Monday – Saturday 10am – 4pm, and on Sundays from 12noon – 3pm, and around services and events, but please see the Cathedral website or social media for any changes to these times. The loom is also accompanied by a special ‘sound tapestry’ - a recorded collection of voices and stories – and you are also invited to share their own story by writing it on one of the loom weights available. Alongside the loom and tapestry, there will be educational tours exploring Bradford’s wool heritage; live weaving demonstrations; and community gatherings and discussions, including a special ‘Crafting the Cathedral’ event taking place on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th July, as part of the city-wide Bradford Heritage Festival. The loom is part of the ‘Weaving Stories’ project, the first installation in the season of the same name, supported by Haworth Scouring and the Bradford Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers, who have sourced and spun the wool that will be used, which has been dyed using locally grown dyes. Whilst visiting, you can also explore the history and heritage of Bradford Cathedral, see some of the other exhibitions running through the summer, and also take a photo with one of our ‘Wish You Were Here’ selfie boards to share on your own social media, as well as picking up a free postcard showing the Cathedral’s beautiful West Window. The Revd Canon Ned Lunn, Canon for Intercultural Mission and the Arts, says: “This project is about more than preserving history; it’s about bringing people together. By taking part, you will help safeguard an at-risk heritage craft, learn new skills, and build lasting connections with one of Bradford’s most significant cultural spaces.” The completed tapestry will then go on display in the Cathedral after a launch event on St. Blaise Day, Tuesday 3rd February 2026. The West Riding Stone Carving Association will be creating stone weights to help support the tapestry, each carved with words and phrases taken from the stories shared. Weaving Stories is an exciting art and heritage project led by Bradford Cathedral as part of our contribution to the UK City of Culture 2025, with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. ‘Weaving Stories’ runs at Bradford Cathedral until Monday 15th September 2025. All are invited to contribute to the tapestry, which will then go on display in the Cathedral from Tuesday 3rd February 2026.
