Following an award submission in late 2024 and a recent site visit, Bradford Cathedral have achieved the status of Gold Eco Church award, reflecting their commitment to good environmental practice.Bradford Cathedral has become the 81st Gold Eco Church in England and Wales and the 4th in the Diocese of Leeds, alongside being the 5th English Cathedral to achieve it.The award was given by the Christian conservation charity A Rocha UK, and reflects Bradford Cathedral’s commitment to walk in step with nature and put creation care at the heart of what they do.Having achieved Silver status back in November 2023, A Rocha UK highlighted some of the subsequent achievements that have meant the Cathedral has received this upgraded status, including:Adapting the cathedral’s liturgy to incorporate creation care and developed intercessions to include environmental aspects, and encouraging preachers to become more aware of creation careFocussing on creation care during the season of Creationtide, through an intercultural harvest, Fairtrade fortnight and an emphasis on trade justice, both for those attending in-person and via the livestreamsThe creation of a net zero action plan with early steps including the recycling of candles; use of more environmentally-friendly cleaning productsPromotion of Cathedral eco activities through the website, social media and on-site digital screensSupporting events such as this year’s Earth HourWork in the Cathedral grounds including re-planting and plans for a pond and an environmental education area for schools and visiting children, surrounded by a live willow screenContinuing tree planting projects in the DistrictPlans to look at carbon sequestration through the planting of living walls and roofs was being investigated and biodiverse plantingEngagement with the community and further afield, including many interfaith and multicultural activities taking place around creation care, including on food wasteInfluencing other organisations about environmental initiatives, such as working towards a partnership between sheep farmers and a Nottingham firm regarding providing wool insulation for vicarages across the diocese, as an alternative to burning fleeces.A variety of activities related to Bradford being the 2025 City of Culture were planned, which included partnerships with climate action organisations and others, such as Bradford Ark and the University of Bradford; ‘Knit the Stripes’ with Craft For Climate and becoming the starting point for this year’s national Cathedrals Cycle RelayHolding successful events such as the Orchestra for the Environment, the Coat of Hopes and Eco film nightsFurther work will also be taking place to continue building on these successes, including with a new publicity leaflet and noticeboard; changes to the Cathedral land; further solar panel expansion; and more events, starting with this summer’s Churches Count on Nature event. Free tickets are available for this now via the Bradford Cathedral website.Rose Gosling, A Rocha UK Ltd, said of the submission:“Overall, I was impressed in particular with the amount of work undertaken since my last visit, the passion of the group members and the ambition of their future plans. They are to be congratulated in particular for their work in engaging at a high level with organisations across Bradford around the environmental agenda, and in particular for their innovative multi faith working.“They deserve to be rewarded for all their hard work with a Gold Award, which I have no doubt will provide a springboard for them to continue their journey.“Reaching gold is a huge achievement and we would like to congratulate you and the entire team on your Gold Award.”The Revd Canon Ned Lunn, Canon for Intercultural Mission and the Arts and chair of the Cathedral’s EcoGroup, says:“This award has been given to us for our exemplary work in promoting good stewardship of God’s Creation and particularly our active influence in the wider public conversation on the subject of the environment and climate change.“It was particularly noted how integrated this priority is in the life of the Cathedral and how much we use our profile to speak about the environmental impact of all that we do.“I would like to thank my predecessor, the Revd Canon Mandy Coutts, and the faithful and passionate members of the Eco Group for their help in achieving this award. Particular thanks must go to the Revd Colin Penfold whose administration of the application and detailed tracking of all activity of the group has been exceptional.“We have been given some areas to focus on ‘Beyond Gold’. This, therefore, does not mark a conclusion but a major milestone on our ongoing work. The Eco Group, however, remains a small group and my hope is that this award will be an encouragement for others to join the team and contribute to the ongoing success of our work.”The Rt Revd Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich and Lead Bishop for the Environment in The Church of England, says:“With Bradford Cathedral being so prominent in the community as a place of worship your commitment to placing creation care at the heart of what you do is truly impressive and will surely inspire many more people to follow you.“I am glad to see you are already sharing your journey with your local community and other organisations across Bradford, including your activities relating to the City of Culture [and] I can see that Eco Church and Carbon Zero is front and centre of your work and mission, and creation care is embedded in all aspects of cathedral life, which is fantastic.”You can find out more about the environmental work of Bradford Cathedral at https://bradfordcathedral.org.uk/eco-cathedral
In May 2025, Canadian actor, writer and fibre artist Kirk Dunn tours his award-winning one-man show, The Knitting Pilgrim, across the UK. Along the way, he’ll stop at Canada House, the home of the Canadian High Commission in London, to install his huge, knitted work, The Patchwork Pride Project, on the building’s façade for 6 weeks leading up to Pride London in Trafalgar Square.The show The Knitting Pilgrim comes to Bradford Cathedral on Wednesday 7th May at 7pm.Directed by Jennifer Tarver, and performed by actor, writer and knitter Kirk Dunn, The Knitting Pilgrim is a multidisciplinary one-person play that has performed over 100 times in Canada, Austria, Germany and the United States. It uses storytelling, image projection and a one-of-a-kind fibre installation called Stitched Glass.The Knitting Pilgrim premiered at the Aga Khan Museum’s theatre in May 2019, was given 6 out of 5 stars by CFMU Hamilton, 5 out of 5 stars by Mooney on Theatre, and was named a Critic’s Pick at the Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton fringes, as well as One of ‘Top Ten Shows to See’ by NOW Magazine. It tells the story of a journey that you need to experience.“A stunning piece of theatre…glorious and so moving.”– Lynn Slotkin,The Slotkin LetterHand-knit by Kirk Dunn, Stitched Glass is a triptych of large panels, designed in the style of stained-glass windows, which looks at the commonalities and conflicts amongst the Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The fibre masterwork was supported by an Ontario Arts Council Chalmers Foundation grant in 2003, and took Kirk an incredible 15 years to complete. There is no other knitting installation like it in the world.Kirk and seasoned writer Claire Ross Dunn co-wrote The Knitting Pilgrim, which uses the Stitched Glass panels – collectively over 90 pounds of knitting – as its set. The play recounts Kirk’s artistic and spiritual journey hand-knitting the project, and his hope to contribute to the vital conversation about xenophobia, Antisemitism and Islamophobia, dealing with internal/external strife, and fear of the other.“The hope has always been to create conversation,” says Kirk, who sought out Christian, Muslim and Jewish consultants to help him research the artwork and, more personally, to learn about the feelings and experiences of others. “A conversation between all people—believers and non-believers—who find themselves in conflict. How can we better understand and empathize with each other? Everyone has a unique background, point of view, and experience, and at the same time, many experiences are universal. Focusing on what knits us together, rather than what pulls us apart, is a place to start.”Audience members can knit during The Knitting Pilgrim if they are so inclined—Kirk has yarn and needles to give out onstage. People can also Bring Their Own Knitting (#BYOK). Kirk eventually plans to use the audience’s knitting to make a giant Moebius Strip, a curiously paradoxical object that has significance in the play.For audience members who want to know more about the iconography of the Stitched Glass knitted tapestries themselves, Kirk and Claire produced a digital interview/podcast series called The Knitting Pilgrim Talks. In each episode, Kirk talks with an expert about the theme of one section of a tapestry. The series airs on Youtube and all the podcast places, ideal for audiences who want to know more.The Knitting Pilgrim comes to Bradford Cathedral on Wednesday 7th May at 7pm. Tickets are £10 (+ booking fee) and can be booked at https://the-knitting-pilgrim.eventbrite.co.uk/
The popular weekly free ‘Wednesday@One’ organ recitals return to Bradford Cathedral after the Easter break.This season will feature a line-up of eight organists, starting with Robert Poyser from Beverley Minster on Wednesday 7th May 2025.The season is themed around Bradfordian Organ Music: music from composers with a connection to the City and District.The organ recitals begin at 1pm every Wednesday and are preceded by an optional £4 buffet lunch at 12:30pm.The organ recitals are free to attend, though donations are welcome. The recitals last around 45 minutes and those attending are also welcome to explore the Cathedral before and after the recital.William Campbell, Assistant Director of Music at Bradford Cathedral, says:“We’re really looking forward to the return of our Wednesday@One organ recitals. As ever, we have a superb line up of organists, some old friends, and some who have never been before, and it’s the perfect way to continue marking the City of Culture year.“As always, doors open at 12:30 for the famous buffet lunch at only £4, followed by the recital at 1pm. Do join us, and spread the word!”You can also read an interview with each organist, on the Bradford Cathedral website, in the week leading up to their recital.For more information about the new series of ‘Wednesday@One’ organ recitals, please visit bradfordcathedral.org.uk/organ-recitalsThis season’s organists in full:7th May – Robert Poyser (Beverley Minster)14th May – Jeffrey Makinson (Lincoln Cathedral)4th June – William Campbell (Bradford Cathedral)11th June – Ton Winpenny (Freelance Organist)18th June – Milkica Radovanovic (Norway)25th June – Alex Berry (Great St. Mary’s, Cambridge)2nd July – Polina Sosnina (Brasenose College, Oxford)9th July – Graham Thorpe (Bradford Cathedral)
John Balmforth Ada Paulena Balmforth James Balmforth Ernest Balmforth Edith Balmforth Jack Turner Nancy Turner J Graham Waddington David Waddington Ben Waddington Florence Waddington Revd Canon John Gunstone Margaret Gunstone Simon Lindley Gordon Fearnley Ron Booth Marjorie Badley Mary Smith Guy Sapsford Beryl Sapsford Muriel Briggs Pat Carr Rodney Slocombe John & Sara Wilson Pat & Peter Yewdall Tony Rowe Mike & Sheila Chapman Tina El-Hossiny Betty Barry Mick Barry Michael Barry Mary Battilani Mr & Mrs Sidney Markwell John Robertshaw Philip & Barbara David & Judith Audrey Greenwood Mary Crossley Jean Berry Malcolm Bentley Muriel Smith Sister Maureen Ruth Sheila Scott Chris Hayward Gerald Kirk Sui Ying & Sout Chong Lim Wing King Eva & Horace Whitham Shirley Lim Wing King Vera Law Irene & Harold Richardson Alicia & Vincent Morris Ann & Mark Morris John O Morris Jack Lai Quintin Quat Alma Flowers Bill Flowers John Chuter Violet Chuter Peggy Hart Peter Excell Monica Dickinson Gladys Hardaker Olive Main Cynthia Pashley Alasdair Livingstone Jill Dyson Carol Ann Maltas J Wildman Christine Horner Catherine Lee David Ellis Doreen Holdsworth Mary, Stanley, Winifred & Harold Shinn Maude, Miriam & Jack Dunn Lee Creighton David Barker Annie & Robert Meynell Connie & Billy Barker Margaret & Randolph Thompson Andrew Thompson Philip Truebridge John Tait Harry Wilkinson Kathy Wilkinson John Chick Allan Mitchell
