Statement on Ukraine
 Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said: "The events unfolding in Ukraine are deeply concerning to everyone in our district and we join in solidarity against this unprovoked aggression. We add our voice to those calling urgently for peace in the region. We understand that this is a moment of huge anxiety, especially for our Ukrainian community, many of whom will have family living there. Our thoughts and prayers are with them."
LGBTQ+ History Month concludes with readings of Noel Grieg's play Plague of Innocence
 A fantastic LGBTQ+ History Month in the Bradford district concludes with two rehearsed readings of Noel Grieg’s play Plague of Innocence on Saturday 5 March.
The performances, at 5pm and 7.30pm at Kala Sangam, are the final events in the packed programme of activities to mark the month, aimed at bringing people together to learn from each other’s experiences.
A question and answer session follows the second reading of the play, where local leaders will discuss the current response to HIV.
The Mills Are Alive
 Experience an epic projection show which will illuminate the Lister Mills’ chimney this evening and tomorrow 4 and 5 March.
The Mills Are Alive will use music, light and colour to share the histories and imagined futures of Manningham and its people.
From stories of previous mill workers to the dreams of local school children, see the building come to life and celebrate the rich cultures of our community.
This is a Brick Box project in collaboration with The Projection Studio for Bradford 2025
City of Culture
 Morrisons supermarket has held a flag-raising ceremony in support of Bradford’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2025. The BD25 flag is flying at five Morrisons stores, including its head office building in Thornbury.
The Bradford district is currently one of eight longlisted places in the running to be the next UK City of Culture 2025. Find out more about this bid here.
Events for Spring Back 2022
 In partnership with local artists, event organisers and businesses we are staging a series of entertaining free events and colourful street art to welcome people back to the high streets of district’s towns and villages.
12 March - Sup Shipley - outdoor beer festival
19 March Sup Bingley - outdoor beer festival
19 March Haworth witches and wizards - family event
26 March - Ilkley family day - further details announced soon
26 & 27 March - Keighley - K-Town Shopper event
26 - Wibsey Fair - further details announced soon
More information about the activities and events in the Spring Back Campaign can be found here.
Spring Back 2022 has been made possible thanks to the Welcome Back Fund, which is funding from the England European Regional Development Fund.
Nell Bank becomes a fully Independent Charity
We have transferred all operations and responsibility for the Nell Bank Outdoor Education Centre to the Nell Bank Charitable Trust in order to secure its long-term future.
We and the charity have been working together to reach this point for several years, and, after a delay of nearly two years due the COVID pandemic, the Charity has notified us of its readiness to complete the transfer.
The much loved and admired Nell Bank outdoor education centre is now the sole responsibility of the Nell Bank Charitable Trust which is a new charity formed for this purpose.
New mural at Bradford Industrial Museum
The new artwork depicts a timeline of the industrial history of the Bradford district, featuring the buildings and the diverse range of people working in the different industries throughout the ages.
Tom draws cartoons and makes animations. One of his specialisms is listening to what people are saying, and drawing their thoughts as pictures. He's also a community worker, working people with disabilities, refugees, young people and people with mental health issues.
Celebrations for International Women's Day to take place across the Bradford district
 We will once again be encouraging people to take part in events across the district to celebrate International Women’s Day.
Residents can get involved in weeks of activities and events to celebrate the day which also falls in Women's History Month.
Events and activities are taking place across the district, to mark this year's International Women's Day on Tuesday, 8 March.
New Bradford buses unveiled in City Park
 This week saw First West Yorkshire unveil their new Bradford City buses in City Park, a significant investment that will see 39 new vehicles introduced in the coming weeks ensuring that their fleet will contribute to reducing pollution and improving air quality in the district.
We are working with all Bradford bus companies to maximise the number of compliant clean air buses that will be in operation in and around the district. Grants have been made available for new buses and also retrofit conversions to ensure vehicles meet the Bradford clean air zone standards.
Bradford Council has worked with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) to facilitate the upgrade over 300 buses to meet Clean Air Zone standards and is also supporting current Zero Emission Bus Fund applications by Transdev and Arriva which will hopefully see 40 electric buses coming into service in the district next year.
To stay updated about the Bradford Clean Air Zone enter your email in the sign up box.
Record number of first preference secondary school places offered across Bradford District
This week parents and carers across the district have been finding out where their children will be starting secondary school in September.
Out of 8167 applications for places, 91.35% have been offered a place at one of their three preferred schools, with 79.4% getting their first preference - the highest rate in the district for seven years.
Have your say on proposals to spend £33.6 million Towns Fund in Keighley
Come along to Keighley Civic Centre on Saturday 5 March between 11am and 2pm to have your say on proposals to spend £33.6 million of the Government’s Towns Fund in Keighley.
Alongside other funding, this significant investment will deliver improvements to our town centre and provide jobs and training opportunities, as well as wider cultural and social benefits for the town.
If you can’t make it on Saturday we will have another event on Thursday 10 March, 4pm – 7.30pm at Keighley College
Find out more here.
Join the Great Bradford Spring Clean
 There is just a week to go until the start of 'The Great Bradford Clean Up'.
We are looking for community-spirited helpers to join its annual spring clean – this year the Great Bradford Clean Up.
Volunteers are being invited to arrange local clean ups to help spruce up and litter-pick their local public spaces – including streets, parks, alleyways, open spaces and roadsides.
The clean ups are taking place across each of the district’s five constituency areas from 11 to 25 March.
The spring cleans ensure that the district is ready for the sunnier weather and attractive to visitors from near and far.
Volunteers are being invited to arrange local clean ups to help spruce up and litter-pick their local public spaces – including streets, parks, alleyways, open spaces and roadsides .
Anyone wanting to organise a community clean-up can find out more can contact their local area co-ordinator's office:
We will supply tabards, litter pickers, gloves, bin bags, and a bag collection service and provide advice to help residents and communities to get involved in the campaign.
Recognition for Bradford’s Out of School Settings
 Eleven Out of School Settings across the district received an award for their quality provision of safeguarding, in an awards ceremony held at City Hall, Bradford on 3 March 2022.
The Manchester and Bradford Foundation Local Authority Award for Safeguarding Quality Provision in Out of School settings was funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and launched as a pilot project within the Manchester area and Bradford district.
Out of school settings are places where children and young people take part in activities such as arts, language, music, sports or religion. The activities mainly take place without parents and carers supervision and outside of school time. We have worked closely with Manchester City Council, creating and developing the award to help support and enhance safeguarding policies and practice in settings across the District.
Keighley family enjoying the benefits of free insulation scheme
 The McHale family is enjoying the benefits of extra insulation in their home and much-needed savings on their energy bills, thanks to a free roof insulation scheme.
We are working in partnership with Eclipse Energy and Better Homes Yorkshire to deliver Phase 2 of the Local Area Delivery (LAD) of the Government’s Green Homes Grant – funding from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
The scheme, which has initially been rolled out in Keighley, involves fully insulating attic space, plastering and redecorating the area, installing ventilation to windows for air flow and, if needed, providing mechanical insulation to bathrooms, such as an extractor fan.
Beech Grove Greenway transformed to attractive haven
 A green area north of Bradford city centre has been transformed to make it a safe and attractive traffic-free route for cyclists and walkers.
The Beech Grove Greenway and Myra Shay, which lie in the Barkerend area of the city, have undergone a revamp over the past few months
The main aim of the project has been to make the Greenway – a stretch of attractive green space providing a route through to the city centre from Beech Grove Park – more attractive and safe for anyone walking or cycling on it. The area has also been designed to encourage children to play or learn to cycle, away from roads and traffic.
Have your say on nuisance vehicle order
We are inviting people to have their say on plans to extend an order banning the anti-social use of vehicles in public spaces.
The Public Space Protection Order is due to be renewed, but the council needs to hold a consultation before this can be done.
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