Exploring Bradford's built heritage

Part of the Changing Bradford aims has been to explore the influence and legacy of south Asian culture on Bradford's buildings and streetscape. Last Friday this was put into action as a group of young participants set off in a mini-bus to photograph some of the key places that have been highlighted by our oral history interviewees. One was the former Marlborough cinema, once famous as one of the earliest venues for Bollywood screenings but now, as seen from the advertising hoarding, a busy bazaar packed with stalls selling fabric and clothing.

The group also took in a visit to Carlisle Business Centre on Carlisle Road which over the years has played a major role in supporting local businesses, social enterprises and charities. The Consortia for Ethnic Minority Organisations (COEMO) is one of over 50 organisations based there!

Focus on New Focus!

One of the delights of this project has been the involvement of a group of young people from the Impressions Gallery's New Focus group.

New Focus members - with Impressions Gallery's Director, Anne McNeill on right. 

All have an interest in arts, photography, heritage and events management and all have contributed their ideas and energy to the project in different ways. At this week's New Focus meeting, many great suggestions emerged about how to document south Asian culture in Bradford, from photographing iconic places to documenting personal family stories. We look forward to getting it all online. Watch this space!!

New Focus members gather with project manager, Yvonne Deane, and Senior Gallery Co-ordinator, Jennifer Sobol,  in front of a stunning Bollywood poster. The Bollywood exhibition runs at Bradford Gallery 1 until  Sat, 24 Aug 2013.