Bradford Teens Fight Poverty with Pillows

Attention seekers: Flashmobsters invade Centenary Square (click image for video)

Around 50 young people aged from 14 to 18 gathered in Bradford's Centenary Square earlier to strike what they see as a blow against poverty. Many of those taking part had never met each other before the event, which was promoted and co-ordinated over the Internet.

The "flashmob" pillow fight was one of the first of its kind in Bradford. The teenagers from all over the district came together at the pre-arranged time to stage the event, which organiser Miriam Ahmed told BCB was intended to highlight the issue of people living in poverty around the world.

"Poverty goes on not just in third world countries, but here in England itself" she said.

"I kind of consulted my friends if they'd be involved in doing a pillow fight, so they were up for it, so kind of my idea .. along with other people"

And Miriam wasn't deterred by the heavy rain which threatened, for a time, to put a damper on things.

"If you think that young people are going to be disheartened by the rain and kind of stop and not do anything ... we're still going to be out here ... we're going to spell out our message, and get other people to hear about it" she said.

The pillow fight certainly attracted the attention of bystanders, and of Bradford's online community - several of whom contacted us via @bcbnews on Twitter to ask who was going to clear up the polystyrene chips left over once the pillows burst ... ?

Report: Jenny Wotherspoon & Richard Horsman Video: Jenny Wotherspoon

Sir Ken's Not a Number ... He's a Freeman

Not a man to be discounted: Sir Ken Morrison honoured (click image for video)

The Life President of Morrisons supermarkets has been awarded Bradford's highest honour. Sir Ken Morrison will become an Honorary Freeman of the City.

Previous recipients of the title have included the artist David Hockney, the Black Dyke Band and the novelist and playwright J.B . Priestley.

Leader of Bradford Council Ian Greenwood told BCB Sir Ken has made a significant contribution to the city over many years.

"He's a man who's one of the most prominent Bradfordians alive. He's always shown a loyalty to the city, and been an advocate for the city" he said.

"He's always located his headquarters here, and kept it here when he was under pressure a number of years ago to move, and he has been highly successful within the city and across the country"

Report & Video: Cat Marr

Great Yorkshire Show Hailed a Success

Thousands of people have descended on Harrogate Showground for the 2010 Great Yorkshire Show. After months of planning, and with advance bookings at an all time high, this year’s celebration of the county’s agricultural best looks set to be a record breaker.

And the 159th show had a Royal visitor for its opening day, as Janine Goodall reports for BCB:

Dressed for success: secrets of prizewinning livestock (click image for video)

A surprise highlight of the show is the mouth-watering Rhubarb and Custard garden. created by tourism development chiefs at Welcome to Yorkshire.

Fresh from success at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, the award-winning garden has been brought back to its roots. It will be on display to an estimated crowd of 130,000 people over the next three days before becoming a permanent feature, just down the road, at Harlow Carr Gardens.

James Crossling's been taking a look behind the scenes:

Delicious designs: Rhubarb and Custard inspired prizewinning garden (click image for video)

In total, over 8,000 sheep, cows and pigs are going through a meticulous judging process at the show in the hope of landing one of 2,000 awards on offer.

BCB's Great Yorkshire reporting team: Will Rastall, Janine Goodall, Kate Holdsworth and James Crossling

Internet Fraud "Costs W Yorks £100 Million"

One click and it's gone: Criminals on the on the Internet target the unwary

More than £100 million has been lost to online fraud in West Yorkshire, according to the National Fraud Authority.

Throughout the UK the figure totals £3.5 billion lost by people, mainly through internet scams. However, the actual figure is probably much higher as many victims of fraud never report it.

Over fifteen thousand people have reported being victims of fraud this year alone and the National Fraud Authority is calling on everyone to make a noise if they've been scammed or conned.

Of the crime reports made, fraud loss has ranged from £6 to over £1 million. The top most commonly reported fraud in the last month was online shopping.

Report: Janine Goodall Photo: Faith Wilkinson

Here is the News ...Behind the Scenes at BCB Online

BCB's multimedia news team is out and about around the region giving you the chance to see the world with Bradford's eyes. For the past month we've been concentrating on the radio news bulletins broadcast every hour on BCB 106.6FM. Now we're working on improving the video and online content.



It's been a fairly quiet day today after the excitement of the World Cup, a gunman at large in Northumbria and the Princess Royal in Bradford ... but the BCB news team is still busy.



Reporter Cat Marr (pictured, left) has been interviewing the West Yorkshire family doctor who's also Deputy Chair of the British Medical Association's GP committee to get his reaction to plans that would give GPs control over health service budgets.


More on that in forthcoming bulletins on 106.6FM, and Cat's video report will be posted here soon.





Meanwhile reporter Lauren Layfield (pictured, right) has been investigating the rise in drink-drive offences this month as temperatures soar and thirsty drivers are tempted to have one too many for the road.

Civic leaders have been trying on "beer goggles" to mimic the effects of drunkenness, and Lauren will be posting her video report online later.

Don't forget you can also watch the BCB news team in action with our live newsroom webcam (displays best in Firefox or Chrome browsers)

And for the very latest breaking news alerts for Bradford follow @bcbnews on Twitter and you'll be the first to know

Report & photos: Richard Horsman

Bradford Factory Hosts the Princess Royal

Crisp turnout: Princess learns the Seabrook's secrets (click image for video)

Princess Anne attended the official opening of Seabrook’s crisps new offices this afternoon. The Bradford-based company is celebrating its 65^th anniversary with the regeneration of an old dilapidated warehouse, which has been converted into state-of-the-art offices.

The Princess Royal, looking radiant in a cream jacket and brown gloves, unveiled a plaque to commemorate the new life given to the building, but not before taking a tour of the factory to be shown how the crisps are made.

She visited several different departments, such as potato washing, crisp processing, slicing, drying, flavouring, and packaging.

The visit came on the day it was officially announced that Princess Anne is to become a grandmother.

Her eldest son Peter, 11th in line to the throne, and his wife Autumn are expecting to become parents at the end of the year, meaning that the Queen could become a great grandmother by Christmas.

The Princess's visit to West Yorkshire concluded with a visit to the Haribo sweet factory in Pontefract.

Report & Video: Kate Holdsworth

Bronte Village "Neglected and Threatened"

Withering Setts: Haworth's cobbled Main Street is "badly maintained" (click image for video)

Many of Bradford's historic buildings, monuments and parks including some of the district's best known tourist attractions are at risk of damage, according to findings published in the 2010 Heritage at Risk report.

The world famous Bronte village of Haworth has been added to the English Heritage report since last year. The organisation fears lack of investment from Bradford Council has left shopkeepers and inhabitants with no choice but to watch their beautiful village slowly lose its character.

The difficulty for both villagers and the authority is the attempt to reconcile Haworth's traditional upkeep in a modern world.

The cost of repairing the characteristic features is proving too much for many in the village, but campaigners believe the World Heritage status that it could be awarded would give the West Yorkshire beauty spot not only the money, but the protection that it deserves.

Report: Danie Linsell Video: Danie Linsell & Janine Goodall

Bradford Soldiers Honoured

Two soldiers from Bradford are being presented with medals at a special ceremony tomorrow.

The soldiers from 4th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment will parade in front of family, friends and onlooking race-goers as they are honoured for their six-month tour in Afghanistan last year.

The 34 soldiers recently returned from operations in Afghanistan where they helped build schools and hospitals, and mentored the Afghan National Army and Police.

Lieutenant Colonel David Rhodes, the battalion's commanding officer, said “These were demanding and skilled tasks undertaken in testing conditions and with a threat of explosive devices and contacts by insurgents.”

“The majority of these soldiers have civilian jobs and they put these and their family lives on hold for six months to serve their country. Their friends and families have supported them and are justly proud of them for the role they played.”

One Bradford soldier, Private Mark McCabe, told BCB he is proud of the work he did there. "It was an honour to serve my country and I'm just glad that I came back. It was a tough tour."

After the presentation the families and their soldiers will enjoy a day at the races where horses and their jockeys will be battling for the 51st John Smith’s Cup. The John Smith’s Cup meeting will be marked by a series of activities including a fly-past from RAF Linton-on–Ouse.

To listen to the full interview with Private McCabe click here

Report and Interview: Jenny Wotherspoon

Bradford's Heritage "at Risk"

Tarnished Jewel: Haworth Main Street is in need of repairs

Bradford's unique history could be lost, according to English Heritage.


A report by the charity out today revealed that the Bronte village of Haworth has been added to a list of conservation sites in the UK thought to be "at risk".


The report is the most in-depth study ever undertaken into the state of Britain's historic treasures.


Many of the region's traditional characteristics are being lost, which could cost millions of pounds in tourist revenue.

Haworth is struggling to avoid its heritage being eroded by modern changes to the village but Bradford Council, with advice from English Heritage, has developed a strategy for repairing the characteristic "setted" street surfaces and has found the funding to carry out the work.


Many of the shops and houses are however losing their traditional features and details and as a result the character and appearance of the village is at risk.


Trevor Mitchell, Yorkshire Director of English Heritage, added: "Haworth is a great place, visited by thousands every year. But it is slowly changing, for the worse, so that the Bronte's might not recognise it if they returned today. Haworth should be the best-kept and best-presented conservation area in the region and we are keen to help to reverse the decline."

Report: Laura Pennington Photo: Danie Linsell

Dirty Den Swaps Albert Square for Centenary Square

Marching on: Leslie Grantham plays the Cockney spiv (Click the image to play video)

Leslie Grantham is at Bradford's Alhambra Theatre this week starring in a stage adaptation of tv-favourite "Dad's Army".

The ex-Eastender is once again donning the role of the shady Private Walker, to celebrate the seventieth anniversary of the Home Guard. The production showcases four of writers Jimmy Perry and David Croft's favourite programmes from the series, including Branded and Mum's Army.

Another would-be-hero of Walmington-on-Sea, Captain Mainwaring, is brought to life by Timothy Kightley, who won praise from critics for his previous stint in the role. The rest of the cast, who previously brought to life the Lost Episodes, have also been dusting off their medals before gracing the Alhambra's stage this week.

Grantham has been making the most of his time in the city, and between rehearsals he managed to squeeze in a trip to the Eastenders exhibition just next door to the Alhambra at the National Media Museum.

He will be performing alongside the rest of the cast until Saturday.

Reporter and Video: Jenny Wotherspoon

Leeds Bradford Airport Beats the Recession

Winter holidaymakers flying from Leeds Bradford International Airport this year will have more choice about where they go.

Ryanair has announced an extended schedule of flights for the airport, increasing its number of routes to thirteen.

Flying high: Ryanair says it's committed to Leeds Bradford (click image to play video)

Yorkshire's regional airport is one of only a handful in the UK to see an expansion in its number of flights. There are also four new winter flight destinations, including Barcelona, Dusseldorf, Gdansk and Fuerteventura.

These extra flights should increase Leeds Bradford's number of passengers by one million people a year and help to sustain a thousand jobs in the region.

Last year almost two and half million people used the airport meaning this "aggressive growth" means that Leeds Bradford is the only airport in England to show signs of expansion this year.

Whilst most other UK airports are still suffering because of the recession, Chief Executive of Leeds Bradford Airport, John Parkin, is optimistic about the future: "We're growing, whilst the majority of other airports in the UK are going in the other direction. The industry is very tough at present but we will stand out as one of the very few airports that will grow, and grow by double digits, in the next year."

Report and video: Laura Pennington

Yorkshire Classic Gets a Cool Twist

Tasty Treat: Diners enjoy a very different Yorkshire pudding (click image to play video)

Diners at a pub in West Yorkshire are being treated to Yorkshire puds with a difference.

As well as being served as part of the traditional carvery lunch, the Toby Carvery pub in Horsforth is offering the regional classic as a dessert, with ice cream and a choice of sauces.

For some, the idea of a sweet Yorkshire pud is very unusual but for veteran waitress Pat, who has worked at the restaurant for 25 years, it brings back memories of her childhood…

"When I was younger people used to do this. They also put treacle, sugar and jam on their Yorkshire puddings. Some people even used to bake the Yorkshire pudding with sultanas in.

Because people don't bake as much now I think…something like this is a pleasant change..."

Although it has gone down well with customers so far, it remains to be seen whether it will replace gravy as the accompaniment of choice.

Report and video: Will Rastall

Two Children Die in Bradford House Fire

A brother and sister have died in a Bradford house fire.

The 10-year-old girl and 8-year-old boy suffered fatal injuries at their home on Hendford Drive in Pollard Park. Their 30-year-old mother was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary with life-threatening injuries, and has now been transferred to Pinderfields hospital in a critical condition.

Disbelief: Neighbours are in shock after two children die in the Pollard Park fire

(click image to play video)

The fire broke out at quarter-to-one this morning and it's reported that a neighbour tried to punch through the window to help, but it was left to the firefighters to drag the children out of the blaze. The woman is believed to have jumped from a window at the property.

The house on Henford Drive in Pollard Park earlier

Detectives are appealing for filling station staff, or anyone else who may have sold small quantities of petrol in jerry cans or similar containers late last night, to get in touch with the inquiry team.

Police officers are carrying out a major investigation at the scene.

A 21 year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident and is still being held in custody. A full police investigation is underway to establish the circumstances of the fire.

For the latest on this story, listen to BCB 106.6FM on the hour, or follow our Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/bcbnews

Report: James Crossling, Lauren Layfield & Jenny Wotherspoon

Photos: James Crossling Video: Jenny Wotherspoon

BCB EXCLUSIVE Cabinet in Bradford - IDS Speaks to BCB

Work and Pensions Secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, has told Bradford Community Broadcasting that Bradford is "very dear to his heart", as members of the cabinet visit the city in a bid to prove the governement isn't "London-centric".


He's insisted there shouldn't be a north-south divide in the country's economy and says the reality is that there are many prosperous cities in the north which are surrounded by poorer areas - and that Bradford was chosen as host city today as it's a good example of the issue.


He said: "I cut my political teeth here in Bradford...so I'm one of those who says Bradford really must have a future and it's time we made certain that places like Bradford can share some of the prosperity that comes from places like Leeds."

He has also defended plans to raise the state pension age of men to 66, saying it will increase economic activity, ultimately creating more work for jobless youths in the city.

Interview: Danie Linsell Report: Danie Linsell, Samantha Gildea & Will Rastall Video: Will Rastall & Danie Linsell

Cabinet Arrive at Grattan Stadium

Business Secretary Vince Cable, Chancellor George Osbourne and Communities Secretary Eric Pickles lead their cabinet colleagues into the home of the Bulls as they arrived this morning for the first meeting of the new coalition cabinet outside London.

They all travelled to the city by train and were taken by coach to the venue from the station - unlike Prime Minister David Cameron and his deputy Nick Clegg, who were driven to Odsal in an official limo.

The city is of course very familiar to Mr Pickles, who was Bradford Council leader in the 1980s when Baroness Thatcher was Prime Minister.

Photo: Samantha Gildea

Clegg & Cameron Arrive in Bradford

The leaders arrive for the first coalition cabinet meeting outside London

Deputy PM Nick Clegg and Prime Minister David Cameron arrive at the Grattan Stadium in Odsal for today's session.

Photo: Samantha Gildea

Recognising Bradford's Women of Achievement

Three of Bradford’s own wonder women have narrowly missed out on a "Yorkshire Women of Achievement" award.

Thirty seven inspirational women from all over Yorkshire attended a ceremony at the Royal Armouries, competing in 5 categories ranging from business to education.

The 3 Bradford nominees were all competing for the lifetime achievement award.

Police Chief Superintendant Alison Rose is divisional commander for Bradford South, and the only female police commander in West Yorkshire. The second nominee was Shelia Saunders, a research associate working at Bradford University, and the third was Sandra Corcoran, who manages training centres for Bradford Council.

Despite their achievements, the Bradford ladies were pipped to the post by Hilary Willmer, founder of the “Nightstop” Barnardo's project.

The winner of the Jane Tomlinson courage award was Emmerdale’s blind actress, Kitty Mcgeever, who lost her son, her sight, and her livelihood in a battle with diabetes.

Following the event Alison Rose told BCB she had found the whole day inspirational (video)

Reporter: Kate Holdsworth Video: Cat Marr

Targeted Shop Owner 'Would Rather Be On The Dole'

A Bradford city centre retailer is fed up of having his shop targeted by criminals.

In the last twelve months, Beauty and Fragrance, on James Street, has been vandalised and broken into three times.

The most recent attack is believed to have happened last Sunday morning whilst the shop’s owner, 41-year-old Munawar Hussein, was away on business. Mr Hussein was left “shocked and worried”. He signed up for a 15 year tenancy agreement on the shop about 2 years ago, but he now plans to leave after just 5 years.

Police are still investigating the incident.

The father of four believes that it would have taken over an hour to smash one of the front windows and steal around £1800 worth of stock, and he told BCB that unless he receives more support from the police and the local council he may consider giving up work altogether.

“Maybe I will close the shop. I can sit home watch the telly and get Jobseeker’s Allowance. Because there’s no headache, or trading and it’s an easy life,” Mr Hussein said.



Report & Photo: Laura Pennington Video Reporter: Will Rastall

High Hopes for Wimbledon

Tennis fans and Pagans alike were celebrating in the sun today as the first day of Wimbledon coincided with the summer solstice.

For some, the calm, collected and dignified sport that is Lawn Tennis will bring a welcome change to the deafening noise of the World Cup vuvuzela. But, as with our football team, the question remains whether England - or rather Great Britain - can smash the competition.

With Andy Murray as our only real hope, we don’t have much room for error. But, with the Queen due for her first visit since Virginia Wade won the Women’s Singles Title in 1977, one can’t help but wonder whether our Monarch could be the good luck charm we need.

Superstitions aside, a serious question remains; why is our home grown talent so thin on the ground? We went to Ilkley in search of the answer…


Report and Video: Will Rastall

Airport Bosses Under Fire Over Noise

Residents living near to Leeds Bradford International Airport are a step nearer to having their frustrations voiced about airport noise, car parking and private flying.

It's been claimed that airport managers failed to publicise a recent consultation exercise on noise issues, with the result that many residents did not get to have their say on issues surrounding the airport on their doorstep.

Lib Dem Councillor Brian Cleasby, who represents the Horsforth ward which lies beneath the airport's flightpath said:

"If you're going to go travel on holiday with a big suitcase, you're ain't going to be standing at a cold, drafty, wet bus stop, waiting for a bus to get you to the aeroplane. You're going to use your car and you've got to go through the nineteenth century lanes of Horsforth and that's what's worrying people."

Today, councillors from Bradford and Leeds are meeting airport officials in the hope of setting up a point of contact for communities to approach in order to express their concerns.


Report: Lauren Layfield Photo: David Benbennick / GNU Free Documentation License

Prince Andrew in York for Army's Big Day

Yorkshire's very own army regiment has been presented with new colours at a ceremony in York this morning.

HRH Duke of York, as Colonel in Chief of the Regiment, was guest of honour, inspecting the four hundred troops that paraded, and officially unveiled the regiment’s new colours.

The colours, or regimental flag, was traditionally used in battle to signal where the generals were in the field, today they are more symbolic, yet still as important.

Family and friends crowded round the parade square as the soldiers of the Yorkshire Regiment paraded to the beat of the marching band.

In the coming weeks the new colours will tour around the county they represent, with a series of parades scheduled for the regions main towns and cities.

Report and Video: James Crossling

Women Remember Bradford Sex Workers

Up to 100 women gathered in Bradford city centre late on Friday to commemorate three women feared to have been murdered whilst operating as sex workers in the district.

Body parts identified as belonging to Suzanne Blamires and Shelley Armitage have been found in the River Aire near Bradford.

There has been no trace of Susan Rushworth since she disappeared in June 2009.

40 year old Stephen Griffiths, a criminology student from Bradford University, has been charged with their murders.

Those attending the women-only commemoration event, which council officials moved from Centenary Square to a location at the end of Market Street, were asked to wear black and to carry signs in support of other sex workers abused in the course of their profession.

Photo: Lauren Layfield Report: Lauren Layfield & Richard Horsman