The story of Jesus’ journey through Holy Week and Easter will be told anew at Bradford Cathedral this spring through a programme of services and events starting with services on Palm Sunday on the 24th March. All are invited to join in person, with the Sunday 10:30am services also streamed online. We are delighted that the well-known and well-loved Bradford boy, the Revd Canon Robin Gamble, will be taking a leading role. In addition to preaching on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday, Robin will lead a series of events around the city centre which will give people the opportunity to engage in the question of why Jesus, his death and resurrection 2,000 years ago, are significant for the people of Bradford. This will culminate in From A Cross Bradford – at the Cathedral - on Good Friday. These opportunities to discover more about Holy Week and Jesus take place from 12:30pm - 1pm in Centenary Square on the Monday to Friday during Holy Week, alongside a chance to take part in conversations and sing songs. Revd Canon Robin Gamble says:"There has been a Christian presence in Bradford for 1,400 years. We might even be bold enough to state that Bradford only exists because an Anglo-Saxon preaching cross was erected on the site where Bradford Cathedral now stands, attracting people from near and far to gather and listen to the message of Jesus. “It was on that site, all those centuries ago, that the story of Jesus was first told and it has continued to be told throughout the development of our city. “We are excited to carry on that task for the 21st century city that we now know as Bradford… City of Sanctuary, City of Culture, City of Film… City of Salvation." At the start of the week, the 10:30am Liturgy of Palm Sunday will feature the annual procession of palms, music sung by the Cathedral Choir, a sermon given by the Revd Canon Robin Gamble, and Holy Communion.This will be followed by a Come and Sing Requiem in the afternoon. Matthew Coleridge will direct a liturgical performance of his Requiem, and you can join the Bradford Cathedral Choir.Those taking part will spend the afternoon rehearsing this sublime work, before singing in a Palm Sunday evening service co-directed by Matthew and the Cathedral's Director of Music, Graham Thorpe. Singers are invited to gather at 1pm for registration followed by a rehearsal. All are invited to the performance which will take place at 5pm.Matthew Coleridge is one of the UK's most exciting compositional voices. Matthew's music leapt into the spotlight in 2023, when his Requiem was voted into the Classic FM Hall of Fame's top 100 - making him the second youngest composer on the list, and 10th highest living composer overall.Anthony Gray, Bradford Cathedral’s Assistant Director of Music, says:“We're delighted to be welcoming Matthew Coleridge to Bradford Cathedral to lead this year's Palm Sunday Come and Sing alongside the music staff.“Matthew's Requiem is a powerful and evocative setting, employing the full breadth of musical abilities of a choir, organ, soloists and cello (for which we'll be joined by Skipton Camerata's Doug Badger).”Later in the week, on Maundy Thursday there will be the Diocesan Chrism Eucharist at 11am, led by the Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds. At the heart of this service is the consecration of oils for baptism, confirmation/ordination and anointing the sick which will be used in churches and communities across West Yorkshire and the Dales, and the renewal of the vows of all bishops, priests, deacons and lay readers who minister in those places. As one of three Cathedrals in the Anglican Diocese of Leeds, Bradford hosts this service once every three years. Please note that there are limited spaces available at this service.Later on that day there will be the Liturgy of Maundy Thursday at 7pm, a service which will retell the story of Jesus’ passion for the world through a moving service in which we re-enact his washing of the disciples’ feet, remember him in the sharing of bread and wine, and then have the opportunity to keep ‘The Watch’ with him at the Altar of Repose until his arrest at midnight. The Revd Canon Robin Gamble will preach.On Good Friday, the traditional three hours that mark the crucifixion will be kept in two services. At 12noon there will be Meditations Around the Cross, a creative and reflective engagement with the story of Good Friday using music, art and poetry. At 1:30pm, the Liturgy of Good Friday offers an opportunity to meditate on Jesus’ crucifixion through choral music, silence, the reading of The Passion according to St John, the Reserved Sacrament (Holy Communion), and the symbolic burying of the cross in St Aidan’s Chapel.Also on Good Friday – at 7pm – there will be From A Cross Bradford, an informal event of music, conversation, fun and reflection.On Holy Saturday from 3pm – 4pm there will be a ‘Messy Easter’ event. These popular events for children and families include activities, crafts and interactive play entering the stories of the Bible. This time we will be exploring the story of Holy Week and what Jesus might have been thinking and feeling.The Revd Ned Lunn, Canon for Intercultural Mission and the Arts, says:“Come and journey through the interactive story of Holy Week in one afternoon. Join the crowd who welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem. Sit at the table with Jesus and his friends at their last supper together. Stand at the foot of the cross and hear Jesus’s final words. Then approach the tomb in preparation for the great climax of the story.”Later on Saturday - the 30th March - starting at 7pm, the Liturgy of Easter will dramatically retell the story of the resurrection through ancient prophecy, the lighting of a fire, and the sharing of Holy Communion.During this service, there will also be an opportunity to be baptised or to renew baptismal vows. Interested persons are encouraged to get in touch with the cathedral in advance. The Venerable Andy Jolley, Archdeacon of Bradford, will be the preacher.Finally, on Easter Day, there will be services at 8am (Holy Communion from the Book of Common Prayer); Choral Eucharist at 10:30am (also live-streamed); and Choral Evensong at 3:30pm. The Revd Canon Robin Gamble will preach at the 10:30am service.You are invited to attend any of these services. More details can be found on the Bradford Cathedral website, where you can also find videos all about Holy Week and Easter, alongside educational resources available for use by schools.The Very Revd Andy Bowerman, Dean of Bradford, says:“At this time of year Christians around the world begin to move, in Holy Week, towards remembering the death and resurrection of Jesus.“Here at the Cathedral we will do the same, starting on Palm Sunday when we remember Jesus’ triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem.“This is the most significant week in the Christian year, a week which goes from triumph to apparent disaster and back into triumph.“But not triumph as many would see it: the triumph of one who goes from death to life - who says to all people, at all times in history, there is always hope.“We invite you to come and discover that here at Bradford Cathedral during Holy Week this year.” For more information about Holy Week and Easter at Bradford Cathedral, including the services, events and school resources, please visit bradfordcathedral.org.uk/holy-week-easter
Free family activities are back again at Bradford Cathedral for the Easter Holidays. There are two free sessions on Tuesday 2nd April, between 10am and 12noon and 1pm and 3pm. Maggie Myers, Bradford Cathedral’s Director of Education and Visitors, says:“We're looking forward to welcoming children and their carers to our free Easter holiday activity sessions, with lots of Easter and spring-related crafts and colouring for all the family. “Family-friendly guided tours take place at 11am and 2pm, for those who would like to learn more about the Cathedral. “You are also welcome to visit the Cathedral with your family and do your own self-guided tour. Trails and quizzes are also available, as are refreshments. All are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.” Bradford Cathedral looks forward to welcoming you at the next Family Activities, but booking is advised in order to ensure a place. Children must be accompanied at all times by an adult. For more information – and to book your free place – please visit bradfordcathedral.org.uk/featured-events
We spoke to Duncan to find out more about what to expect from it.I’ll look at why food waste is of environmental and social concern and why our Christian faith should inform our views about both those concerns. I’ll look at what has been done in the recent past to combat the issue.Could you tell us about your background and how you came to be involved with the subject?I became involved with primarily through a client I was advising. He was setting up the first Pay As You Feel café using all surplus food in Armley, Leeds in 2013. I was very interested in what he was doing and gradually became more involved with the project as it developed across the country, setting a surplus food café up in Saltaire in 2014.Back in 2020 we worked with you on some Eco Extravaganza videos in relation to food waste. How have things changed since then in people’s response to waste, and has it been for the better?No significant change unfortunately…What do you hope people will take away from the talk?A recognition of the scale of the issue but that we can all take relatively straightforward personal action. Also an appreciation of how much the issue of waste is relevant not only to the concept of environmental care for God’s creation but also of the nature of God’s provision.What are your top three tips for reducing your food waste?1. Shop with intention/a list2. Be creative – don’t feel you have to stick rigidly to recipes and be confident about understanding Use By/Best Before date3. Use your freezer!As well as what we can do in the home, what can we do to force businesses / companies to improve their behaviour?This is a tricky one – you can vote with your feet and shop at supermarkets (if you must!) with the least bad records on food waste. You can also join in campaigns that organsations like Tearfund and Christian Aid regularly run on this and similar issues.Finally, you’ve been in the role of Assistant Curate for just over six months. How have you found your time at Bradford Cathedral so far?Thoroughly enjoyable – there is a real sense of encouragement both from congregation, staff and clergy. It is a real blessing to work in such welcoming and beautiful space. I am getting used to the rhythm of what the role demands (which is different to being lead by clients and a timesheet when I was a lawyer). I’m looking forward to what the next few years might bring.You can join us for Monday Fellowship in the de Lacy Centre on Monday 11th March 2024 at 2pm. All are welcome.
Bradford Cathedral is inviting you to this year’s ‘Cultural Climate Symposium’, taking place on Saturday 13th April 2024 from 1:30pm – 4:30pm, with a film showing at 6pm. The event is a collaboration between the Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission, the Cathedral, and members of the Bradford cultural sector. The symposium will include two theatrical explorations on the theme of climate change – Too Much Of Water and The Past Present – as well as a panel discussion about the role of faith communities and cultural representatives on influencing public discourse on this issue. The symposium will be followed, at 6pm in the de Lacy Centre, by the second date in a special monthly film club.‘Too Much Of Water’ - written and performed by Steve Scott-Bottoms – is an intimate storytelling show that explores the human impacts of flooding on ordinary people living in an ordinary town – and their struggles to remain resilient.The piece, originally commissioned for the Saltaire Festival in 2016, takes its name from the quote in Shakespeare’s Hamlet - “Too much of water hast thou, poor Ophelia, and therefore I forbid my tears.”The narrative is based on personal interviews with residents in Shipley, West Yorkshire, and tells the story of the devastating floods that hit the town on Boxing Day 2015 and of the difficult aftermath.It will be a rare chance to see the piece, and it will be the first time it has been performed since the pandemic.Writer / performer Steve Scott-Bottoms, who is also co-chair of Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission’s Climate Adaptation Panel, says:“I am delighted to specially revive this piece for the Climate Symposium. I first performed it in Roberts Park in 2016 - in an area that had been underwater the previous year - but it remains very "present tense" - both because that's the tense I tell the story in, and because the same kinds of things keep happening in other places (and, of course, could happen again here).”The second piece – ‘The Past Present’ - will be a scratch performance of a new piece by Bradford writer / actor Ann Morgan, who has appeared at Bradford Cathedral at the annual Shakespeare performances by the Actors Community Theatre. It will be directed by the Revd Canon Ned Lunn.Writer Ann Morgan says about her piece:“When a drought causes a reservoir to dry up, it reveals the remains of an old village. A couple, who have set off in search of adventure - and possible long forgotten treasure - amongst the ruins, get more than they bargained for when they meet an old man along the way.“The old man, Sion, shares his memories with the couple (Sarah and Jack) of what really happened, as he tries to get them to understand the consequences for communities, cultures and the environment, in the hope that their generation will not make the same mistakes. Will Sion succeed?”There will also be a panel discussion on the day about the role of faith communities working with artists and the culture sector to influence public discourse on this issue. Speakers on this panel will include Amandeep Maan (Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission); Steve Scott-Bottoms; and Ben Pugh (Bradford 2025 / Bradford Producing Hub), and it will be chaired by Canon Ned Lunn.Amandeep Maan says:“We are delighted to be involved in this programme as faith communities have lots to contribute to the conversation of climate change and places of worship are also centres for education: we look forward to meeting people who do, and don't, belong to any particular faith, all are welcome as this topic affects us all.”At 6pm, in the de Lacy Centre in the Cathedral grounds, there will be the second date in the ‘Eco Film Club’, where there will be a showing of ‘A Life on Our Planet’, followed by discussion.The Revd Canon Ned Lunn, Canon for Intercultural Mission and the Arts, and the Chair of the Cathedral’s EcoGroup, says:“We are excited to be hosting another Cultural Climate Symposium after the success of last year's event. This year we are showcasing some theatrical explorations on the theme of climate change: ‘Too Much Of Water’ written and performed by Steve Scott-Bottoms and a new play written, ‘The Past Present’, by Ann Morgan, a new Bradford writer and performed by our friends the Actors Community Theatre (ACT).“At Bradford Cathedral we are committed to supporting and developing local artists and we know that professional artists emerge from a strong and vibrant amateur cultural environment. That is why we are excited to put these two pieces together and to reflect on them as part of the Symposium.”The Cultural Climate Symposium is part of Bradford Cathedral’s strategic commitment to the environment. Other events including the June ‘Tree of Life’ concert with international clarinettist Emma Johnson, performing an orchestral work responding to the climate emergency.The Cultural Climate Symposium takes place at Bradford Cathedral on Saturday 13th April 2024, from 1:30pm – 4:30pm. Tickets are £7 (+booking fee) and can be bought at climate-symposium.eventbrite.co.uk, or by calling the Bradford Cathedral office on 01274 77 77 20 between 9am – 2:45pm Monday – Friday.You can book your tickets for that evening’s Eco Film Club at eco-film-club-2.eventbrite.co.uk or by calling the Cathedral office. There is also a film showing of documentary ‘2040’, ahead of the Symposium, on Saturday 16th March at 6pm – tickets for that can be booked at eco-film-club-1.eventbrite.co.uk You can find out more about ‘Too Much Of Water’ – and download images - at vesperhill.org/performance/too-much-of-water. An interview with Steve Scott-Bottoms will be available online soon.
