BRADFORD
REMINISCENCE THERAPY
WELCOME TO
MEMORY BANK
BRADFORD
2025 - 2026
Welcome to Memory Bank: Bradford, a complete reminiscence resource created by the Yorkshire Film Archive and generously funded by the Harry
and Mary Foundation. This special limited edition has been made available to care homes across the Bradford District to celebrate Bradford City of Culture 2025.
We’ve used carefully selected archive film footage from across
the decades to connect the past with the present, rediscover memories, share stories and offer the opportunity to simply sit back and enjoy the delights of the films themselves.
First of all, have a good read of your Memory Bank: Bradford book, or download the PDF version here, to help
you get the best from the films. You'll find a User
Guide with information on how to run reminiscence
sessions with the films, as well as Life and Times: a wealth of background information about life in Bradford, Film Notes with prompt points for sparking conversations, and suggestions to help you make the most of the resource.
SPORTING
HIGHLIGHTS
1930s - 1950s
Bradford has always been a city that loves its sport! In this compilation, we take a look at three of its favourites: rugby league at Odsal Stadium, football at Valley Parade, then back to Odsal for the 1955 speedway championship.
MARKET DAY
1951
Crowds of shoppers browse round Kirkgate Market's many stalls, indoors and out, that are piled high with everything from fruit and veg to flowers, fish, pots, pans and hats. When it's time for a breather, there's an opportunity to grab a refreshing cup of tea or an ice cream.
ALL ABOARD
FOR BLACKPOOL
1958
This film celebrates the 1958 centenary of W & J Whitehead’s mill in Laisterdyke. The mill owners chartered three trains to transport the whole workforce across the Pennines for a fun-filled outing to Blackpool, with traditional seaside amusements aplenty. From the sands to the prom, the Tower to the Pleasure Beach, the Whitehead’s workers were determined to make the most of every second!
MILLS
& WEAVING
1960s - 1970s
Bradford’s textile industry was once the beating heart of the city, transforming it from a small market town into an industrial powerhouse during the 19th century. Known as the “wool capital of the world,” Bradford specialised in worsted manufacturing, but velvet and silk were also produced. In this film, we take a look behind the scenes at some of the mills in the district.
THE LAST
TROLLEYBUS
1972
Trolleybuses (often known as "the trackless") were a big part of public transport in Bradford from 1911 to 1972. Bradford and Leeds had the first trolleybuses in the UK, and Bradford's system was the last to close on 26th March 1972. Part of this film shows the last trolleybus on its final journey through Bradford, its pole bedecked by bunting, with crowds of onlookers bidding it farewell.
CRICKET
& CURRY
1972
The Interlink Cricket Club, featured in this film, was formed in 1970, as part of the Bradford Mutual Sunday School Cricket League. The club, which was managed by Father Keith Potter of St Columbus Church in Great Horton, was open to all but was mainly made up of players who had come to Bradford from India and Pakistan.
SALTAIRE
IN THE '70s
1976
This Victorian model village was founded by Sir Titus Salt in 1853. Designed to provide improved living conditions for workers in Salt’s textile mill, together with a whole host of public amenities such as a hospital, library, concert hall, and school, it is renowned for its exceptional Victorian architecture. Our film explores the village in the 1970s, when the mill was still in operation.
SILVER JUBILEE
PARADE & GALA
1977
It’s 11th June 1977 and Bradfordians are out in force to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II. Whilst the Trooping of the Colour was taking place in London, Bradford’s streets were thronged with flag-waving (and brolly-wielding!) crowds as the Lord Mayor’s Parade passed by, en route to the gala at Lister Park.
BRADFORD
MELA
1998
The Bradford Mela - a Sanskrit word meaning “gathering” - first took place in 1988, in the playing fields behind the University. Lister Park, Bowling Park, and Peel Park also played host to the Mela, which was once the largest in Europe and a great celebration of the multicultural life of the city and its communities. In this film, we take a look at the many attractions that 1998’s Mela had to offer.
©YFANEFA 2025. The Memory Bank: Bradford films are for use only as part of this reminiscence resource
and must not be shared, broadcast, or uploaded to any websites or social media platforms.
Memory Bank Bradford was made possible thanks to generous funding from the Harry and Mary Foundation, which is dedicated to improving the quality of life and economic and social opportunities available to residents of West Yorkshire, by making grants to relevant charities.
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