VIPs turn out to launch the book and exhibition

There was a wonderful turnout on Saturday (5 Oct) at the Impressions Gallery as around 120 people crowded into the Studio to help us officially launch the Changing Bradford book and exhibition. Welcomed to the Impressions by Artistic Director, Anne McNeill, the opening speech was given by Dr Mohammed Salam, Chief Executive of COEMO.

Dignitaries officiating at the launch included: Mr Zokey Ahad, Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh,  Major Stan Hardy, Deputy Lieutenant, West Yorkshire, Cllr Khadim Hussain (Lord Mayor of Bradford), Cllr Imran Hussain (Deputy Leader of Bradford Council),  and Cllr Imran Khan (Chair of COEMO). We were also particularly pleased to welcome Fiona Spiers from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Revd. Nick Baines, Bishop of Bradford, Gerry Sutcliffe, MP, David Ward, MP, and Jawaid Akhtar, Deputy Chief Constable, West Yorkshire Police. Live music was kindly provided by Dr Gnanananda, senior student from Kala Sangam.

New Focus members, Aneesa and Nayaab, take a moment
 to enjoy the book before distributing copies at the launch.

Many of the people whose oral history interviews and portraits feature in the book and exhibition came along to the event and their feedback was wonderful. There was loud applause as group of young people from the Manningham Youth Group had their hard work rewarded with presentation of certificates by the Lord Mayor.

Big thanks are due to the whole project team, to the wonderful staff of Impressions and, yet again, to the Impressions Gallery's New Focus group, whose young members ensured the smooth running of the event.

The book - which looks amazing! - will now be distributed to libraries, schools and community groups in Bradford. Reference copies have been lodged with the West Yorkshire Archive Service.

The exhibition is open to the public free of charge until 2nd November.