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The popular weekly free ‘Wednesday@One’ organ recitals will return to Bradford Cathedral after the summer break, following several months of work on the organ. This season will feature a line-up of ten organists, starting with Gordon Stewart, on Wednesday 4th October 2023, and includes a special programme of organ duets on the 18th October, played by Graham Thorpe and Anthony Gray, the Director of Music and Assistant Director respectively at Bradford Cathedral. The organ recitals begin at 1pm every Wednesday (apart from a break for half-term on the 25th October) 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. Graham Thorpe, Interim Director of Music at Bradford Cathedral, says:“We are particularly excited about the return of our Wednesday@One organ recitals this term, after 3 months of remedial and improvement work to the organ. The recitals last 45 minutes and attract some of the best organists from around the country - and beyond - to entertain us. This term our theme is 'Fireworks and Fanfares: Celebrating the Return of the Organ'. “The works tackled essential maintenance on the Swell and Great divisions, fixing runnings on the swell (which sound like wind whistling through wires), and re-leathering the primary bellows (the main lungs of the organ). We have also returned the specification of the Swell to something more like a William Hill organ, taking it back to its 1904 roots. “The organ should speak better into both the Nave and Chancel, and have a better blended tone with more colour, allowing for both more interesting choral and congregational accompaniment and even more exciting recitals. “Having tried out the newly improved Swell during the last stage of the works, I am thrilled with the improvements made and I’m really looking forward to getting to know the new sounds and colours of the Bradford Cathedral Organ. “As always, the audience is invited from 12:30 for our excellent buffet lunch, a bargain at only £4. Please join us and spread the word.” For more information about the new series of ‘Wednesday@One’ organ recitals, please visit bradfordcathedral.org.uk/organ-recitals The full programme of recitals is as follows:4th October – Gordon Stewart (Organist Emeritus, Huddersfield Town Hall)11th October – Andrew Prior (London)18th October – Graham Thorpe (Bradford) and Anthony Gray (Bradford) – Organ Duets 1st November – Stefan Donner (Vienna)8th November – Ed Jones (Wakefield)15th November – Pierre Zevort (France)22nd November – Graham Thorpe (Bradford)29th November – Rebekah Okpoti (Blackburn)6th December – Hannah Parry (London)13th December – George Inscoe (Croydon)
These two exhibitions – which are sponsored by the University of Bradford - will open up dialogue between different journeys of hope from two communities who continue to tell important, positive stories of Bradford’s own black history, as well as stories of migration to our city of sanctuary. The exhibition runs from Wednesday 4th October through to Tuesday 14th November, and will be displayed around the East End of Bradford Cathedral. Visitors will be able to explore the exhibition during the Cathedral’s regular opening hours of Monday – Saturday 10am – 4pm, and around services. ‘Journeys of Hope’ will begin with a launch event on Wednesday 4th October. Taking place from 7pm-9pm, a panel of guests will speak about their own experiences of journeying to Bradford and how they have contributed to our shared history. The event will conclude with refreshments and a chance to explore the exhibitions, and free places can be booked now via the Bradford Cathedral website. Speakers at the event include:• Nigel Guy MBE, Director of Windrush Generations UK, talking about the story of Windrush• Shamim Eimaan, Director of Eimaan Culture and Community Services CIC, discussing the story of Ugandan Asian migration• Professor Zahir Irani, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Bradford, who will give personal stories from the Ugandan Asian communities and their contributions to Bradford life• Dr Manoj Joshi MBE DL, a Ugandan refugee who has led on bringing this exhibition to Bradford• The Revd Ned Lunn, Bradford Cathedral’s Canon for Intercultural Mission and the Arts, who will be chairing a panel discussion with the speakers Dr Manoj Joshi MBE DL, a Ugandan refugee, says:“Through adversity and courage, we embark on our 'Journeys of Hope,' weaving stories of resilience, unity, and a brighter future, reminding the world that refuge is not the end but a chapter in our unwritten epics." Nigel Guy MBE, says:“This exhibition is about personal movement, sacrifices and the change for better lives. It records and preserves for future generations the untold stories which should never be forgotten of the people from around the Commonwealth who migrated to the UK. This includes the Windrush generation elders and their descendants who have shared some of their stories, to increase understanding of their experiences, and reflect on the memories of growing up in the Caribbean and of their personal stories of life in the UK. “It is a fitting occasion in this 75th anniversary year of the Windrush generation to truly recognise and celebrate the contributions all past and present citizens who have migrated and established strong roots in Bradford and to foster a genuine warm welcome of new arrivals seeking hope of peace, stability and purpose for all on life’s journey.” Professor Zahir Irani, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Bradford and a Ugandan refugee, says:“Hope, faith and commitment shape our thoughts and actions. A society that embraces diversity is a stronger society that can unite communities to be more impactful in sharing the fruits of our collective wisdom and actions.” The Revd Canon Ned Lunn says:“This exhibition is the fruit of conversations between the Cathedral and two significant communities in our city. We could have chosen any of the many people groups who have journeyed to Bradford and made it home but these two are where we started. “The two different black histories that are told through all these individuals' shared experiences tell of welcome, challenge, determination and hope. It is that word 'hope' that we want to explore through the telling of these journeys. Hope that has led these people to contribute so much to the culture of Bradford and they are not alone. “We invite you to also tell your own journey of hope and Bradford Cathedral will ensure that it is heard and celebrated." The ‘Journeys of Hope’ exhibitions take place at Bradford Cathedral from Wednesday 4th October until Tuesday 14th November. The exhibitions will be launched at a special event on Wednesday 4th October, starting at 7pm, and free places can be booked at bradfordcathedral.churchsuite.com/events/rrfrhazf. The exhibitions will be available to view during Bradford Cathedral’s opening hours of Monday – Saturday 10am – 4pm, and at services. Please check the Cathedral’s website or social media for any changes to these opening times.
