Bradford cares

A new campaign – commissioned by the Safer and Stronger Communities Partnership and led by local charities – has launched to raise awareness and support for local organisations that help those who are rough sleeping and begging across the Bradford District.

Known as #BradfordCares, the initiative makes it straightforward and convenient to give money, items and time to local charities through a new website – www.streetsupport.net/Bradford

The website acts as an online hub where people can find information about all the services available in Bradford, adverts for volunteers and items needed, as well as locally relevant articles that inform people of issues surrounding homelessness in Bradford.

For anyone wishing to find out more and discuss issues surrounding homelessness in Bradford, an information stall promoting the campaign and engaging people with what local organisations are doing to help will be at Bradford Interchange (7.30am – 10.30am) and Bradford Broadway (3pm – 6pm) on Thursday 21 December.

Visit streetsupport.net/bradford to find out how you can help people who rough sleep and beg.

Follow the campaign on social media with #BradfordCares

Feedback your ideas to help improve the initiative for future campaigns; www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ZRBWWXL

 

Kids provide life-saving boost

Staff and pupils at Thackley Primary School held a fundraising event to raise money for a life-saving defibrillator on Valentine’s Day this year.  ‘Save a Heart Day’ was such a great success the school managed to raise enough money for two life-saving machines. The day involved a series of fundraising activities which included all the children coming to school wearing red or pink, a Valentine’s bun sale and a raffle for a teddy bear and Valentine’s hamper. The school has also received donations from the local community and businesses. Thackley Primary School welcomed the arrival of the new life-saving piece of equipment outside the school and have decided to donate the second defibrillator to nearby Thackley Cricket Club. Executive Headteacher – Trevor Patterson, Head of School – Annette Patterson and KS1 Teacher – Kate Bainbridge presented the life-saving machine to Alan Cuff, Treasurer of Thackley Cricket Club. Alan Cuff from Thackley Cricket Club said:  “I would like to thank everyone involved at Thackley Primary School and the local community for donating such a special and important piece of equipment to the club.” Both kits will be available for the wider community to use in emergency situations. Annette Patterson – Head of School at Thackley Primary School said: “We are delighted to be able to donate one of the life-saving defibrillators to Thackley Cricket Club for the local community to have access to.  Sudden cardiac arrest is the UK’s biggest killer but access to a defibrillator can increase a person’s chances of survival to between 70 and 90 per cent. “We recognised the importance of having a defibrillator in both locations, our school and the local community – and were driven to succeed in raising enough money to make it happen. We are thrilled and incredibly proud of our achievements and very grateful to the children, parents and local community for their support.” Michael Jameson, Bradford Council’s Strategic Director for Children’s Services said: “This is an excellent achievement by the pupils of Thackley Primary School who not only wanted to ensure that their peers at school had access to this life-saving equipment, but also the wider community.  Congratulations and well done to everyone involved.”

Free First Aid Awareness Training

Could you benefit from attending an informative event where you can receive free First Aid Awareness Training? Why not come to the Community Family Fun Day at the Carlisle Business Centre, Carlisle Road, BD8 8BD, on Saturday 2 December from 11am to 2.30pm.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service and NEESIE are running this partnership event, and the Ambulance Service, with their Recruitment and Apprenticeship Team, will be delivering the free First Aid Awareness Training to all.

Free lunch and a first come first served creche facility will allow mums and dads to sit back, relax and learn vital life skills!

 

Come to Bradford for Christmas

With so many activities across the district, Bradford is the place to be for Christmas. There will be Christmas lights switch on events across the district as well as lots of music and entertainment, pantomimes, a fun fair and lots of Christmas fairs and markets, traditional Christmas Services including Nine Lessons and Carols at the Cathedral, there’s even a Christmas Tree Festival and the annual Epilepsy Action Reindeer Stampede will see antler clad runners tackle the 5k route round Lister Park. A funfair will light up in City Park and Tyrrel Street from Thursday November 30 until Sunday December 3 with children’s rides and dodgems. Christmas street theatre will entertain shoppers on the pedestrian areas in the city centres between 12pm and 5pm on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 December. With 20 colourful acts including Santa and his sleigh, snowmen, fairies, elves, dancing turkeys, penguins, Rudolph, snow globes and stilt walkers all providing festive frolics and music. There may even be added snow. The Alhambra Theatre’s outstanding pantomime will once again star the fantastic Billy Pearce who this year is taking on the role as Buttons with singer and Loose Women panellist Coleen Nolan playing the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, with performances from 16 December to 28 January. Other Christmas shows and concerts include a Christmas Night With The Stars with tribute act performances from Cher, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Michael Buble, Freddie Mercury and Shirley Bassey at Ilkley’s King’s Hall and Winter Gardens, folk rock pioneers Steeleye Span, famous for their 1973 Christmas hit Gaudete at Ilkley’s King’s Hall and Winter Gardens, an evening of dance, songs and festive cheer comes to the Alhambra theatre with the Christmas Words show on 7 December and The Chicago Blues Brothers bring their brand new festive show to the Alhambra on December 8. An array of Christmas markets and craft fairs are being held across the district including the fantastic Victorian Christmas event at the Industrial Museum on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 November, Ilkley King’s Hall and Winter Gardens will be the venue for a Christmas Craft and Gift Fayre on Sunday 26 November, a Christmas Market will take place in Central Park in Haworth on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 December and the Made Bradford Market will be held in Darley Street on Saturday 2 and Saturday 16 December. There will be lots of festive fun at Bradford Council-run markets over the Christmas period with a Christmas Trade Fair hosted by Young Enterprise on Saturday 9 December inside the Oastler Shopping Centre, children’s interactive workshops, traditional Christmas entertainment from the Salvation Army Band, Pennine Chimes and school choir in the Oastler Shopping Centre and Kirkgate Market in the city centre and a Santa’s grotto along with festive entertainment at Keighley Market. The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Coun Abid Hussain has just launched the annual Lord Mayor’s Appeal Christmas Star’s Appeal, where people dedicate a star to a loved one for the Christmas tree in City Hall. The Lord Mayor’s Appeal annual Christmas Lunch takes place on Friday December 15 in City Hall and raises money for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal. For those wanting to get active there is the Epilepsy Action Reindeer Stampede with a 5k run and a mini stampede for children, Bradford Council’s Countryside and Rights of Way team has also organised two Christmas walks, a 5.5 mile Candlemass Eve walk on December 9 and a 4 mile Christmas Cheer walk on December 13. Switch-on events with markets and fairs will be taking place across the district throughout November and December. This year’s city centre Christmas lights will have a special light raising awareness of the White Ribbon Campaign, the global campaign to end male violence against women. Incidences of domestic violence rise significantly during the festive period. The light will be turned on as part of the Christmas lights switch-on and will remain illuminated during the Christmas period including on White Ribbon day, 25 November. The annual City Carol Service takes place at the Cathedral on Monday 18 December. The service is open to anyone and is attended by the Lord Mayor and civic leaders. Coun Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Sport and Culture, said: “Christmas is such a special time of year and these events in the city centre and across the district give people plenty of opportunities to celebrate.” For more information about Christmas events in the district visit www.visitbradford.com

Bradford Council to boost voter registration

Bradford Council is urging residents not to get caught out and ensure they are registered to vote. Throughout October the council will send out reminder letters and canvassers will visit properties where people haven’t responded. The local authority will run an online and street poster campaign encouraging groups which are traditionally under represented on the electoral roll. Registration allows people to vote in elections and referendums, positively contributes to credit scores and is a legal requirement. Bradford district’s voter electoral registration rates are higher than the national average of 2.5% and have increased by 4.9%. However, Bradford Council wishes to ensure as many people as possible take part in democratic processes. Registration only takes a few minutes and can be done online at gov.uk/register-to-vote or by calling 01274 43 2287. All people need is their name, address, date of birth and National Insurance number. Kersten England, Electoral Registration and Returning Officer for Bradford district: “We are working hard to ensure as many people as possible are able to vote in elections and referendums. “If an election is called and you’re not registered, you won’t be able to vote. “Registering only takes a few minutes. “Your vote matters! Don’t lose it.”

 

Chewing gum campaign

Shoppers outside the Broadway shopping centre tomorrow (Thursday, 5 October) will see the launch of a new campaign to tackle the problem of chewing gum on pavements and roads. Bradford Council will align with a national campaign organised by the Chewing Gum Action Group to change behaviour and make people think twice before dropping their gum on the floor. Coun Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Culture and Sport, said: “Dropped chewing gum is a significant messy problem for Bradford. “It is very costly and time consuming to remove and the process of removing it can also damage the pavement or road.” Since mid-July, eight private enforcement officers have been patrolling the streets of Bradford and issuing Fixed Penalty Notices to people who drop litter, urinate and spit, as well as Dog Control Order offences. They have already fined people for discarding gum and the new campaign will explain that discarded chewing gum is litter. Following the city centre launch, the campaign will be rolled out to Shipley and the rest of the district. Coun Ferriby said: “This is a problem affecting every urban area. Bradford is no different than any other town or city. “Chewing gum is harder to remove than litter that can be swept up, and this campaign is intended to raise awareness to people that chewing gum is litter – once it goes down on to the pavement it stays there.” “It doesn’t look good, it’s sticky, it takes some removing and people may not realise that this type of littering is harder to remove.” She added: “The solution is to put it in a piece of tissue, put it your pocket or put it in the bin.” Council officers will be using posters, banners, lamppost stickers and other promotional material to try and raise awareness of the problem and to make people think about helping with the solution.

Heritage Day at Keighley Library

Visitors to Keighley can discover more about the town’s heritage at Keighley Library this coming weekend. The annual Heritage Day at Keighley Library will take place on Saturday, 9 September. There will be local, family, schools and military stands and this year the event will take on a musical theme reflecting Keighley’s musical heritage. People can meet local and family history groups including Keighley Local History Society, Keighley Family History Society, Men of Worth, Keighley Schools Heritage and Airedale and Haworth writers. At 11am there will be a special Rhymetime for children of all ages with guest presenters ‘Little Notes’.  The sing-along will feature woodwind instruments and fun and games. From 11am until 4pm there will be music from local musicians Foxes Faux, Dayner Sim and Niamh Mirfield and Keighley group The Presidents. There will be displays of Keighley’s musical heritage since the 1950s from the local studies library collections. At 1pm musician and historian Gary Cavanagh author of ‘Noise of the Valleys’ will give a talk with musical clips from the CD that accompanies the book. Coun Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Sport and Culture, said:  “People can drop in throughout the day and discover more about the heritage of the local area.” Admission to the event is free and everyone is welcome.

30 hours update – Parents who have applied for a code but not received one

The DfE has informed the LA that a small number of parents who have applied before 31 August may receive their 30 hours code between 1 and 14 September, because HMRC required additional information before determining their eligibility (‘amber’ cases).

In these circumstances, providers should be satisfied that a parent applied for a 30 hour code by 31 August before offering a 30 hours place. For example, a parent might demonstrate that they applied before 31 August through sharing the information contained within their childcare account mailbox and secure message that will state when they were identified as an amber case, and the date they received the message.

Bradford LA will fund a 30 hours place for these parents for the autumn term where they have received a code from HMRC with a validity start date after 31 August and up to 14 September.

As previously advised, a parent can reserve a place for their child the term after their third birthday with their chosen provider prior to their code being checked, but the code must be checked via the Funded Hours Checker before the child can take up their funded place. If providers choose to allow parents to start the place prior to validating the code, it will be at the provider’s own risk should the parent prove to be ineligible.

The DfE has also stated that the childcare service helpline is now able to provide a temporary code to eligible parents experiencing on-going technical issues. Please encourage parents to contact the helpline on 0300 123 4097, who will check eligibility and provide them with a code if they qualify for 30 hours in the event that they cannot resolve their issue with their on-line application.

Guinness World Record to wish Hockney a Happy 80th Birthday

As part of this year’s celebrations for the world famous artist David Hockney’s 80th birthday, Bradford is attempting an official Guinness World Record for the most signatures on a greetings card.

Bradford-born David Hockney, who is considered one of Britain’s most influential artists of the 20th century, celebrated his 80th birthday on July 9.

Officers from the newly opened permanent David Hockney Gallery at Bradford Council’s Cartwright Hall have got together with Bradford greetings card company Hallmark Cards plc, to produce an enormous birthday card with space for over 22,000 signatures.

The Official Guinness World Record for the most signatures on a greetings card is currently held by the Dubai Police force with 13,288 signatures; however an attempt by Staffordshire County Council with around 21,500 signatures is still to be ratified, so Bradford needs at least 22,000 signatures to make it count.

The giant card which is around 180cm tall and 120cm wide, has been designed by Hallmark Cards using inspiration from Hockney’s famous artworks to create the number 80 as a collage, will be available to sign at various events across the summer.

There will be a special signing event at Cartwright Hall on Thursday 10 August from 10am to 4pm.

The card will be at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery on Sunday 13 August between 11am and 3pm for people to sign as part of the gallery’s Martin House 30th birthday celebrations. Children from Martin House hospice and schools across the district will have their Hockney inspired artwork on display as part of the Young Open 2017 exhibition.

Bingley Music Live festival goers will also be able to sign the card in Myrtle Park, on 1, 2 and 3 September.

Pupils at Bradford Grammar School will get the chance to sign the card on their way into lunch on Thursday 7 September.

People will be able to sign the card at The Broadway Shopping Centre Saturday 9 September between 9am and 6pm.

People not able to go to the events can also take part in this amazing record attempt and wish David Hockney a happy 80th birthday by signing the card on-line at https://goo.gl/HFiD92

Coun Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s executive member for environment, sport and culture, said: “We thought that this would be a really fun way to get lots of people involved in celebrating David Hockney’s special 80th birthday.

“The easiest way for people to sign the card is online, but they can also sign in person at one of our events.

“We want as many people from across the district to sign the card and can arrange for groups of people to visit or we can take the card out to groups, work places, sports teams, art clubs or communities for people to sign.”

Kate Van Spall,  Art Director Trends, Hallmark UK said: “As a Bradford based company we were thrilled to be asked to be involved in the creation of a card for Hockney’s birthday. The card is made up of numerous postcard size images reflective of the style of David Hockney that our in-house design team created during a ‘Hockney Power Hour’. It’s been amazing to see all the different designs come together and be part of a World Record attempt whilst contributing to the celebrations of the Bradford artist’s birthday.”

Look out for dates of other events at www.bradfordmuseums.org and follow the museums’ Facebook and Twitter pages @bradfordmuseums

Peace Walk will celebrate diverse community around Miriam Lord Primary

Parents, local mosques and churches have been invited to join hundreds of pupils and staff on a Peace Walk to celebrate diversity in Bradford and around Miriam Lord Primary School.

The walk has been planned for Friday 21 July, 2017 and is being held following recent terrorist events in Manchester and London.

The Peace Walk was suggested by Year 6 teacher Stefanie Deciacco as an additional way of commemorating sad and tragic events. The school already discusses events, such as the Manchester terrorist attack, in class and has held Silences to honour the dead, bereaved and injured.

All 440 pupils and 45 staff will be involved in the walk which will end with the walkers singing Bob Marley favourite “One Love” in the school playground. A recording will be made and the song and played again on Miriam Lord Radio.

Leading up to the event, pupils will be involved in discussion about why the Peace Walk is taking place. They will also be making placards with peace slogans and a wide banner saying “Miriam Lord Primary Peace March” which will be at the front of the walk, so people passing by know what’s happening.

Bryan Harrison, Executive Headteacher at Miriam Lord, said: “With social media, children very quickly know what happens around the world. They are curious about events like the terrorist attack in Manchester and want to know more, but unfortunately, the messages they hear are not always unbiased.

“In school, we are always open to children’s questions and ready to talk about their worries. The purpose of the walk is to show that we are proud to be part of our community and to celebrate the diversity of the people who live in Bradford.”