Actors Community Theatre return to Bradford Cathedral for their annual Shakespeare production, which takes place in the beautiful grounds of the building. This year they are performing ‘The Tempest’ across three days, at 7pm on Friday 18th July and at 2:45pm on Saturday 19th July and Sunday 20th July 2025. Paul Coleman, this year's director, comments:“The Tempest is classed as a comedy, and we certainly hope we’ve brought out the humour in the relationships. However, the play also has revenge as its central theme and it is the spirit, Ariel, who points out the damaging nature of this emotion to the human, Prospera. There’s a sideswipe at colonialism, too. “It’s one of Shakespeare’s later plays, and he was well into his stride by this time! The language is glorious, the imagery stupendous and, as always, the themes universal. “All our income is generated from audience receipts, so we do hope you can join us at one of our three performances at the Cathedral.” Tickets for the play can be bought online now via the Bradford Cathedral Eventbrite page, and short videos with the cast can be watched in the run up to the production across the social media channels of ACT and the Cathedral. The production’s approximate running time is 2 hours and it will take place inside in bad weather. Tickets for ‘The Tempest’, performed by Actors Community Theatre (ACT), can be bought online at https://act-shakespeare-tempest.eventbrite.co.uk/
On Thursday 17th July, Bradford Cathedral will be opening its doors for a pair of Morris & Co. Stained Glass Window Tours, focussing on the Morris & Co. windows in the Cathedral. The famous Victorian artist and designer William Morris founded Morris & Co. and, along with renowned figures such as Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Edward Burne-Jones and Ford Madox Brown, created many pieces of stunning stained glass, some early examples of which are on display in four locations in Bradford Cathedral. The stained glass also includes a figure, recently discovered to have been designed by William De Morgan. The tours will also include an appreciation of the magnificent West Window, a beautiful Pre-Raphaelite window designed by Heaton, Butler and Bayne. You can book your places now for the tours, which take place at either 11am (https://morris-tour-july2025-1.eventbrite.co.uk) or 1pm (https://morris-tour-july2025-2.eventbrite.co.uk). Tickets are £7 each, plus booking fee. Maggie Myers, Bradford Cathedral’s Director of Education and Visitors, says:“We are delighted to be able to offer these new tours exploring our Morris & Co. stained glass here at Bradford Cathedral. We are fortunate to have an extensive collection of the early work of Morris & Co. in 4 locations in the building, with designs by D G Rossetti, Edward Burne-Jones, Ford Madox Brown, Philip Webb, Peter Paul Marshall, Albert Moore, William De Morgan and William Morris himself. "The tour is a wonderful way to learn more about Bradford Cathedral's stunning stained glass and the Victorian artists and architects who created the designs." The Morris & Co Stained Glass Window Tours take place on Thursday 17th July 2025. Tickets for the tours can be booked at https://morris-tour-july2025-1.eventbrite.co.uk (11am) or https://morris-tour-july2025-2.eventbrite.co.uk (1pm).
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
