Key dates and information for general election
 We are reminding people to ensure they are registered to vote for the General Election on Thursday, 4 July.
The deadline to register to vote is midnight on 18 June. Voters can apply online at https://gov.uk/register-to-vote. It takes just five minutes.
Voters have a range of options – they can vote in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote in their place, known as a proxy vote. The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday,19 June. Applications can be made online at https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote. Information on voting by proxy is available at How to vote: Voting by proxy - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
This July, and for the first time in a General Election, voters will need to show photo ID to vote at a polling station. This is a new requirement, introduced by the Elections Act 2022. To find out which ID you can use in the polling station, visit the Electoral Commission website at Voter ID | Electoral Commission.
If you do not have one of the accepted types of ID, you can apply for free ID at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate or by completing and submitting a paper form to your local authority. You must apply by 5pm on Wednesday, 26 June, to be able to use the Voter Authority Certificate on 4 July.
Marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day
 Thursday 6 June marked the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Bev Mullaney laid a wreath on behalf of the district, at the Bradford Cenotaph in remembrance and to give thanks to all those who served.
On Thursday evening the clock tower of Bradford City Hall was lit up in red, white and blue and there were events including beacon lighting ceremonies in Bingley and Keighley.
Junior qualifies for Paralympics
Congratulation to Guillaume Junior Atangana (known as Junior) who's qualified for this year's Paralympic Games in Paris in the T11 - 400m event.
Junior lives in Bingley and is part of Bradford Keighley and Skipton Disability Athletics and is coached by Janet-Alison Arkwright at the club. Junior is also hoping to qualify for the T11 - 100m event.
Household waste recycling centres – new weekday opening times
 HWRCs will now open earlier from 8am rather than 9am.
Bowling Back Lane, Bradford and Royd Ings, Keighley will open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4.45pm
Dealburn Road, Dowley Gap and Midland Road will open Tuesday to Friday from 8am to 4.45pm
Check out weekend opening hours by visiting our website.
Bradford 2025: Announcing ‘UK City of Culture Catchup’
Bradford 2025 has collaborated with local radio station BCB to launch a monthly radio show called 'UK City of Culture Catchup'. The show will connect listeners to the people behind Bradford 2025 and offer an exclusive insight into what they are doing for the UK City of Culture.
The first episode is out now: https://bit.ly/3V9FTAY - and features Creative Director Shanaz Gulzar, Brand Producer Jack Lynch and Assistant Producer Eddie Bond.
Book your tickets for Bradford Literature Festival 2024
 Tickets are now available to book for Bradford Literature Festival’s amazing 10th anniversary events! With over 500 events featuring Miriam Margolyes, Sara Pascoe, Corrine Bailey Rae, Lemn Sissay, Mary Beard, Shaparak Khorsandi, and Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Returning for this year’s festival are ever-popular flagship events Lyrical Mehfil, Poetry with a Punch, Sufiyana Kalaam, Brontë Heritage Bus Tour and An Evening of Comedy. From engaging talks and panel discussions to captivating readings and workshops, BLF offers the chance to immerse yourself in the world of literature and culture.
Families are in for a treat with four free Family Fun Days in City Park, offering a range of engaging workshops, craft activities and performances to delight children of all ages. This year’s Family Fun Day themes are Magical Mayhem, Treemendous Tales, Fantastic Folktales, and Superhero Spectacular, with storytelling, street performers and a story seekers trail.
BLF’s annual Creative Economic Conference returns on Thursday 27 June at the University of Bradford. The conference will bring together influential figures from business, politics, and the creative industries to discuss how these sectors can collaborate to drive innovation and economic growth.
Browse the 2024 digital programme or head straight to the events calendar to view the incredible events on offer and book your tickets.
Growing Together Gardening Group
 The Growing Together Gardening Group will be holding a coffee and cake event at Morley Street Resource Centre on Wednesday 12 June to raise funds for the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
As well as regular gardening sessions at their allotment on Cecil Avenue, the Growing Together Gardening Group run a weekly Cook and Eat group at Morley Street Resource Centre, using specialist kitchen equipment purchased through a successful Local Friendship Grant award.
The coffee morning will be attended by the RNIB and other partners. Advice and support will be available on the day from Equality Together who will be advising on aids and adaptations; Bradford and District Visually Impaired Community Club offering introductions to sports and social activities and Growing Together, who will be cooking up some delicious dishes!
Any funds raised on the day will be donated to the RNIB.
When: Wednesday 12 June 2024
Where: Morley Street Resource Centre, 124 Morley Street, Bradford BD7 1BB
Time: 10am until 2pm.
Essential bridge maintenance work Cottingley Viaduct on the A650
 The southbound section of Bingley Bypass from Ferncliffe Road (Bingley) to Bradford Road roundabout (Cottingley) will be closed from 8pm tonight (Friday 7 June) to 6am on Monday 10 June. The righthand lane of the northbound section will also be closed. A diversion via the B6265 Bradford Road will be in place. The number 60 and 60A bus will also be diverted via Bradford Road.
Update on the transformation of Bradford city centre
 The work to transform Bradford city centre is progressing well with further pedestrianisation work continuing.
New paving has started to take shape across large areas of Market Street, Bank Street, Broadway and Bridge Street to tying this in with existing pedestrian zones
The now redundant bus shelter structure on Hall Ings has been removed, as part of works to create a major new public greenspace in the city centre.
Work is also progressing on the demolition of the former NCP car park to create a new green space, linking to Hall Ings and Norfolk Gardens.
To keep the momentum going and to complete the work as soon as possible, a fortnight of overnight works is now due to take place and is expected to begin 17 June.
The works will involve resurfacing and lining works on Sunbridge Road, Godwin Street and Prince's Way, and will take place between 8pm and 5am.
Some local diversions will be place around the works whilst they are being carried out and work will be completed in sections to try to keep disruption to a minimum.
|
