Bradford's going Potter crazy this weekend as the National Media Museum is showing the last part of J.K. Rowling's spell-binding creation.
The final showdown between Harry and his arch nemesis, Voldemort, will be screened in the huge Imax cinema in 3D.
A twenty four hour marathon hopes to leave no fan unsatisfied as the emotional tale comes to a close.
Trapeze artists are performing live Quidditch matches above the excited crowds of dressed up witches and wizards.
Everyone attending will have a chance to be in the 2011 Hogwarts Year Book in the house of their choice.
The celebration will mark the end of seven magical years for Harry, Hermione and Ron as well as an abundance of fans that have grown up with the story.
Bradford Bulls stars were among fans at the back to back screenings today.
Residents have called for an inquest following the closure of Manningham baths.
The grade II listed building closed it's doors for the final time on Friday night due to Bradford Council's decision to cut costs.
However, the decision was made without the completing consultation exercise that had been promised.
The council took the decision in order to save in the region of £120,000 a year, as part of a £30m cuts package.
The council said the historic pool would need 'significant investment' to stay open.
Original plans to expand the baths failed to materialise a few years ago.
And local residents have been left outraged and upset with the cost cutting measure which has left the community devastated.
One campaigner told BCB reporter Raz Mirza: "What they really need to know, what they need to hear...the people of Manningham, let me tell you, when the people of Manningham speak, the whole of Bradford speaks."
The baths were designed by Bradford architect Frederick Edwards, and opened in 1904.
There are more than 50 listed Victorian and Edwardian pool in the country but there are now only 13 in use after the building on Carlisle Road was shut.
Angry Voices: Pool users tall BCB Manningham Baths must be saved:
He may be gone from Coronation Street, but he's not forgotten.
Former star Steve Huison is selling a range of his artwork to raise money to keep a mental health service afloat.
The Shipley actor, who played long-haired layabout Eddie Windass, is selling his work on an internet auction site to raise funds.
He's best known for taking his clothes off in the box office smash hit movie The Full Monty before starring in one of Britian's much loved soaps for the past couple of years.
Now Mr Huison is selling prints of the artworks featuring 20 of his former Coronation Street co-stars to raise funds for a project called Hospital To Home which provides drama workshops for people with mental health problems at Airedale General Hospital in Steeton, near Keighley and Victoria Hall, Saltaire
Much of the £20,000-a-year funding has now been axed but Mr Huison, who has played character roles in such TV series as Casualty, Where the Heart Is, dinnerladies , Heartbeat and The Royle Family is hoping to raise much-needed funds by auctioning the prints on eBay and the Shoestring Theatre Company.
The talented artist is hoping the work which includes prints of actors including William Roache (Ken Barlow), Michael Le Vell (Kevin Webster) and Katy Cavanagh (Julie Carp) will sell quickly.
He told BCB reporter Raz Mirza: "I'm raising money for a couple of organisations which are both mental health related.
"It's not easy to raise money for. You use the word mental and a lot of people shut down. Also, with the recession, a lot of funding has been cut and mental health services are one of the first things to be cut.
"I did an exhibition earlier this year in Manchester, while I was working on Coronation Street, I drew large portraits.
"I sold all of them off but I got prints made, a limited edition, which I'm selling through the shoetringforum.org website and also on ebay.
"It's not the ideal way to be funding mental health services and the arts, but I don't know any other way of doing it at the moment."
Football legend Kevin Keegan believes Peter Jackson is the right man to lead the Bantams to promotion from League Two next season.
Keegan feels the City boss now has the chance to prepare the club 'the way he wants' after taking over halfway through the last campaign.
The former Newcastle and England manager exclusively told BCB reporter Raz Mirza that if the club get things right, they could be playing in the Championship within the next few years.
Keegan, who is ambassador for npower’s No Power Hour, was at Leeds' Millennium Square to urges parents and children to spend an hour without power this summer.
The 60-year-old hosted an exclusive family workshop demonstrating the many ways families can switch off, get active, and spend some quality time together outside, whilst saving energy at the same time.
But all the talk afterwards was about Bradford City and their chances next season.
Keegan claims Jackson has enough inside knowledge of the game to get the right players into Valley Parade.
And when asked if he thinks the club have a chance of promotion next season, he said: "Crawley have spent a lot of money, so I think they'll go straight up.
"So I think there will be two places up for grabs. Why shouldn't Bradford City be one of them?"
Yorkshire can still qualify for the Friends Life t20 Quarter-Finals but nothing short of three wins and results going in their favour elsewhere will make that dream a reality.
A win today at Chester-le-Street could salvage their hopes. Yorkshire have fought hard, but have been inconsistent in the division, with only captain Andrew Gale making half a century this season.
Carnegie currently sit in seventh spot in the table, with ten points from thirteen matched.
The weather forecast for tonight's match promises rain and thunder storms. Yorkshire's t20 future could rest in the hands of the Gods.
A Bradford school has booked its place in the nation’s history books by winning an annual national contest for the second time in a row.
Bankfoot Primary School is the first primary school to beat off stiff competition from primary and secondary schools up to year 11 to be overall winners of The Jaguar Car Maths in Motion Challenge.
Thirty-six other schools from across the UK competed for the prestigious trophy at Heritage Motor Centre in Warwickshire.
The challenge has now become well-established in the clenders of many school as it provides children of all ages and abilities to engage in exciting and motivating mathematics based on project run by Education Bradford`s ICT team.
The challenge involves students working in small teams and competing against each other in an effort to win a Grand Prix type race and become UK champions. The activity involves a wide range of mathematical skills, some practical being used and applied.
The software being used by schools is suitable for all ages from 9 upwards. The system has been described as an ideal base for primary school maths project as well as for older students throughout secondary school.
A news release quoted the Headteacher for Bankfoot Primary School as saying the staff, pupils, parents and governors and the whole school community are immensely proud of the achievements.
She said: “This is a wonderful boost for us all as we come to the end of the summer term and trophy and certificates take pride of place in our school”.
Ten years on from the Bradford riots, Ravenscliffe estate has experienced positive effects, according to one community worker.
On July 7 2001, some of the biggest riots in Britain swept through the city of Bradford, partly as a result of mounting ethnic and cultural tensions.
Disturbances started in Centenary Square; a riot ensued and proceeded up to Manningham.
But a series of smaller scale riots were sparked in other areas of Bradford, including the Ravenscliffe estate.
Ian Kenning works at the Gateway Centre in Ravenscliffe and spoke candidly to BCB News about the effects of the riots on the community there afterwards. He said:
‘The overriding emotion for most of the people that I worked with on a day to day basis was fear. People were scared about what was going to happen next, and there were lots of rumours.
It was quite edgy for a bit but then what it did do, from my point of view, as a community development worker, was that when we tried to organise public meetings about what do next people actually decided to come out and get involved.
People realised the stakes were high and they wanted to take control of their neighbourhood, rather than be influenced by ‘dark influences’ from outside, or wait for the council to solve all their problems.”
The Gateway Community Centre was built in 2004 by the Ravenscliffe Community Association, and Kenning thinks it’s played a big part in bringing together different cultural communities in Bradford.
The former chief superintendent of West Yorkshire Police believes that the Bradford riots in 2001 could have been avoided, if bobbies had been left on the beat.
Les Vasey was in charge of the Bradford area during the first riots in 1995, and feels that the stopping of the patrol in areas such as Manningham created 'no go' zones, that affected the relationship between officer and the residents.
He said: "I think it was a combination of changes in police strategy, where more and more police were taken off the streets from the community role in order to tackle crime. Alot of issues came together and I think the police lost contact with its community."
The ex police chief feels that the first riot differed to that of ten years ago, but what the issues remained the same.
"The first riot was very much a spontaneously suituation sio there was limited plasnning no notice what was going to happen kicked off fairly quickly," said Les Vasey.
"Unlike the second riot, no one was kettled. Alot of the rioters went down to the city centre and committed millions of pounds of damage really. I think its a no win situation, either you protect city centre and control rioters in a particular area, or the rioters break loose and spread out all over the district," he added.
The question then needs to be asked, has Bradford moved on since the riots? Or is there still hostility between the districts.
He said: "I think the communities co-exist and within certain sections there's integration. I dont see that its a truly integrated city, and an independent observer coming into Bradford would see evidence its an integrated city either.
"But I think the tensions that probably existed then don't exist now, largely due to changes in police practice. I think the community and its leaders have more legitimacy now. Overall Bradford's still a multi cultural city," he added.
With the Olympic games just around the corner all eyes are turning to Great Britain's female hopefuls.
Former gold medallist Sally Gunnell, who is the only woman to ever hold four major track titles concurrently, is hoping for a gold rush in London.
Gunnell is aware first-hand what it is like to be at the top of women's athletics and the pressures many young athletes are under in the run up the the 2012 Games and other major championhips.
The mother of three is one of Britain's most popular female sports personalities after winning gold at the Barcelona Olympics back in 1992.
Now Gunnell is backing Yorkshire's rising star Jessica Ennis to achieve her ultimate goal of winning the Heptathlon next year.
In an exclusive interview with BCB reporter Raz Mirza she said: "Ennis is a great athlete and she's in great form.
"She's a massive role model and the right role model. She's very, very talented and she's got to keep herself 100 per cent fit."
Gunnell believes her team will give her all the preperation she needs in the build-up to the games and the former hurdler also claims Ennis is a 'once in a lifetime athlete'.
When asked if Ennis is nailed on for gold next year, Gunnell replied: "She's gonna go in there as favourite. There will be a massive amount of pressure. But I really believe she's the whole complete package."
Gunnell also claims that women's athletics is much stronger than men's at the moment, with the likes of Perri Shakes-Drayton and Jodie Williams making an impression.
Bradford Bulls take on high-flying Castleford Tigers this weekend. In what is a must win clash, the Bulls could close the gap on they're West Yorkshire rivals with a victory at Wheldon Road.
Bulls coach Micky Potter was left frustrated after his side failed to overcome a 12-man Catalan Dragons side at home this weekend. The defeat was a massive blow considering the fine performance they put in a week earlier at Headingley against fierce local rivals Leeds Rhinos.
The defeat to the Dragons highlights the inconsistency problems that seem to have plagued Potter's first season in charge at Osdal and injuries to Heath L'Estrange and Jamie Langley will not have helped.
Bulls Centre Michael Platt says that the injuries aren't to blame for the squads inconsistency: "We can't blame it on injuries. We've proven we can beat a top side. Hopefully we can put enough consistency together to see that we finish in a play-off spot.
Asked whether he was satisfied with his own form Platt said: "No I think theres a lot to improve on. Like the team I feel I need to be more consistent."
BCB's Raz Mirza spoke to Micky Potter and Michael Platt about last weekends performance as well as the upcoming clash.
Young people in Bradford will have the chance to sell their business ideas in a Bradford version of the Dragons Den.
Anyone aged between 16 and 25 can enter the competition, which will see two winners, one aged between 16 and 19, and one between 20 and 25.
They compete for the chance to win a £1000 start up grant for their business idea, an office space at The Grid at Low Moor Business Park, a website, staff and specialist business coaching.
The competition was the idea of Craig Marsden, owner of the Style Loft Group, a company that develops apps and websites.
His fellow dragons are Ben Watson who is a director of Bradford based company Digital Inc, Emmerdale actress Tanya Vital,Enterprise coach Shelley Tasker who runs the GRID office complex, and Jonathon Smith, Associate Director of Bradford City football club who is pictured above.
The panel will be looking for the region's most promising talent in a bid to find Bradford's entrepreneurs of the future.
If you fancy your chances, you need to email your ideas by September 30th to info@dragonsdenbradford.co.uk. For more details you can take a look at their web page at www.dragonsdenbradford.co.uk.
Dragon Jonathon Smith told BCB exactly what they are looking for in a successful candidate.
The district’s iconic Keighley & Worth-Valley Railway is up for a regional award.
It has been shortlisted in the Large Visitor Attraction Category of the Welcome to Yorkshire White Rose Awards.
The train and it’s staff are up against big names such as the Yorvik Viking Centre in York, and the Yorkshire museum.
The station, made famous in The Railway Children attracts over 120,000 visitors every year, and is run through the kind hearts of volunteers and train enthusiasts.
The Chairman of the railway, Matthew Stroh, told BCB that just to be shortlisted was an honour, and that, “it is a reflection on how much our volunteers have done over the fast fifty years…a real pat on the back.”
On gaining a nomination, Mr Stroh says, “We’re very proud of what we have achieved.” Winners are due to be announced in October, so keep listening to BCB to see whether Keighley and Worth-Valley ‘steam’ to victory.
Three Bradford men are on a mission to raise a million pounds which will help rebuild villages in Pakistan that were destroyed by floods.
Councillor Rizwan Malik and two friends have already raised a massive £600,000 for the charity, Islamic Relief, and are on the final push for the rest.
The trio visited northern Pakistan in October last year, Councillor Malik said:
“It was probably the most emotional thing I’ve ever experienced in my life.
“We went to area’s where there were just mountains of mud, sand, rubble and debris. These mountains were formally houses or mud huts that people were living in.”
After a trip to the devastated areas, the three fundraisers felt compelled to do more.
With a team of around 50 humble volunteers from Bradford and Leeds, they were inspired to organise charity car washes, sky dives, community events and fundraising dinners.
The money raised will help with the reconstruction of four villages and improve the quality of life for around 10 thousand victims.
The cash is desperately needed to help towards reconstructing the poorest parts of the country.
What we've known for years has been vindicated by a survey today. That's right, 4 out of 5 people questioned said that we in the North are the funniest in the UK.
And, we voted ourselves the funniest nation but put Germany and France down at the bottom of the list.
But, as a nation, we don't always laugh at the right time - three quarters of us have sniggered in an awkward situation, one third giggled when we shouldn't have, and nearly fifteen per cent of us admitted to laughing at a funeral.
Laughing is infectious, with a small chuckle gaining momentum and becoming a full on belly laugh.
Bradford's finest comedian, Billy Pearce tells us his best northern joke. Be warned, you listen at your own peril.
School kids in West Yorkshire can join free athletics sessions held across the region this summer.
Children of all abilities aged between 8-15 have been invited to join one of the Aviva Startrack training schemes.
British athlete Jessica Ennis joined the Startrack scheme when she was ten years old in her home city of Sheffield. She's now IAAF World Heptathlon Champion 2009 and a Commonwealth Games bronze medal winner.
Schemes are being held in Leeds, Huddersfield, Liversedge, Holmfirth, Wakefield and Harrogate. Parents who would like to find out more about sending their child to one of the free events can go to www.uka.org.uk/academy for more information.
British runner, and Olympic silver medallist Iwan Thomas helped to launch the scheme today, alongside entertainment duo Jedward. He told BCB why the scheme was such a fantastic opportunity for young people.
More than one in five motorists have been driven off the road in the past year by rising petrol prices.
Pudsey-based Green Flag claim the cost of running a car is putting more of us off being behind the wheel.
Research also suggests that 1.3 million have quit driving with many motorists saying they've changed the way they drive - either by using the car less, sharing or even buying a smaller, cheaper one.
In some cases, people have ditched the car completely, switching to motorbikes or even walking.
Petrol prices have continued to climb, with prices hitting an average 131.61p per litre for unleaded compared with averages of 111.49p in 2010.
Green Flag found that 14 per cent of people in their survey have stopped using their car and seven per cent have swapped their cars for motorbikes.
Meanwhile, 58 per cent of drivers have reduced their speed to conserve fuel and 14 per cent now end up walking to their destination more often than they drive.
Henry Topham, head of Green Flag, told BCB news: "Since January, there has been a 40 per cent rise in fuel rated call outs for us. Just showing that its starting to take the pinch on household incomes.
"For many drivers, owning a vehicle is a necessity rather than a luxury, so they are being forced into driving more fuel economically or switching to more fuel efficient modes of transportation in the face of rising prices."
Bradford City will be tickled pink this season, after unveiling a new fuschia away kit.
The Bantams know that it may divide opinion - stating it will be like marmite - you either love it or hate it.
Former City player Nicky Summerbee isn't too keen.
He said: "I dont think I'd have liked doing it. I think Everton did it, they had a pink kit. Its not very manly thats the only thing, and I certainly wouldn't like to have worn it myself.
"Its definitely different and will cause a few problems. People will talk about it, what with it being pink," he added.
City feel the feminine colour will modernise the club and bring it up to date for the new season.
Midfielder Summerbee - whose OPTA stats say he had a better accuracy rate with crosses than David Beckham- isn't convinced with the kit.
He said: "The away fans will have a field day and get a bit of stick but thats just what you have to live with."
Bradford's Asian population are being urged to donate organs.Twenty six lives have been saved in the city over the past year thanks to donations, but those of an Asian ethnicity are waiting longer for life saving transplants.
Consultant Physician, Dr Jahangir Reeman at Bradford Hosipitals said "this issue in the Asian population needs to be brought out into the open.
We need to ask questions such as what are the cultural aspects and what are the religious and traditional aspects behind this problem."
The availability of donars is an issue that can touch many lives and communities however.
Cheryl Ragg, of West Yorkshire, waited for 6 years for a heart transplant. She was born with a major heart defect, which affected the two main vessels carrying blood away from the heart.
She said: "The diagnosis was that I shouldn't have lived past the age of twenty four and when I got my transplant I was thirty six.
"I'm a very defiant person but when I had my daughter my health deteriorated. It wasn't until I was thirty that the transplant option became available.
Being on the waiting list is very very hard. I had 8 call ups and I got the transplant on the ninth call."
There are currently seventy one people on the waiting list in Bradford, fifty nine of whom are waiting for a kidney.
For those considering organ donation, there is a clear message from Dr Reeham: "Get in touch or those on the transplant list might die."
A butcher from Ilkley is cooking up a campaign to create the perfect Yorkshire sausage.
David Lishman, who owns the award-winning Lishman's of Ilkley, wants to create a banger that will rival the Cumberland and Lincolnshire sausage.
David has invited around 3,000 people from across the district to vote from a short list of sausages, and is even taking his campaign to the House of Commons tomorrow, to get the opinions of six Mps.
David says the idea came to him after making Cumberland and Lincolnshire sausages.
"I thought why in this glorious county of Yorkshire have we not actually got a true, recognised Yorkshire sausage?", said David.
So what will the banger taste like? David said: "I think the Yorkshire person is quite a conservative person in terms of taste, so they want something simple, nicely seasoned, something that can be for their breakfasts."
The winning sausage will be announced at Yorkshire Day on August 1st.
Today saw the annual Howden festival take place at the Ashes Playing Field in Howden.
It was an incredibly hot day, with regular tannoy announcements reminding visitors to wear suncream and seek out shade.
The sun ensured that the festival was very popular with visitors and stayed busy all day long.
Amongst the attractions on offer there were sheepdog shows, 'MAD' bike shows and horse shows.
There was also a circus skills tent offering free workshops for all ages and a Women's Institute tent offering craft workshops for kids, as well as a giant bouncy slide and go karts.
Possibly the most popular tent was the food tent, packed with stalls offering homemade cupcakes, wines, chutneys, jams, olives and other tasty snacks.
This morning Bradford residents had a chance to view the proposed plans for the Westfield shopping centre, which will be filling the hole in the heart of Bradford's city centre.
The developers are showcasing the new, scaled down plans at the Midland Hotel today and tomorrow.
The shopping centre is long overdue, as plans for the development were shelved at the start of Britain's recession.
The development is now back on the cards, however it promises less than the original proposals did.
The site will now only be single story, rather two floors, and will no longer have the hotel, residential and office space that it originally would have done.
However there will be around 75 new stores, restaurants, bars and carparking facilities, hopefully enough new business to kick start Bradford's ailing economy.
Councillor Ian Greenwood is behind the new plans, and insists that Bradford shoppers will not be missing out.
BCB spoke to the man behind the project, Director of Development and Asset Management at Westfield, Duncan Bower. He says that whilst Westfield are completely commited to submitting the planning application for the development, they cannot promise work will go ahead until it has been approved.
