Bradford Muslims Addressed with Hard-Hitting Khutba

by Edward Watson



Muslims were told to tackle their problems head on during Friday prayers this lunch time.

Imam and Respect Councillor Alyas Karmani addressed around one hundred Muslims at Islam Bradford on Preston Street.

His Khutba - or Sermon - entitled Tackling Street Grooming in the UK - addressed issues including kidnapping, forcing young girls into drug habits and sexual abuse of both girls and boys.

It comes in response to cases in the news of sexual grooming in Derby, Rochdale, Telford, Oxford and West Yorkshire.

Abdul Nasir, who attended the Khutba, told BCB News: "These problems are affecting our community and people need to be made aware.

"It's not just Muslims that need to be aware of this phenomenon - it's a problem for all of humanity that we should be tackling together."

Mr Nasir suggested that many of the people involved in these crimes don't attend the Mosques and that the issue needs to be tackled in the wider community.

He continued: "These people don't come to the Mosques or anywhere near the Khutba.

"Really we need to be speaking to the police and social services who have everyday access to the councillors and we need to try to get our message across to them."

Vintage Railway Plans Expansion

By Daniel Lynch

A vintage railway route in West Yorkshire could be set for a £750,000 makeover.

Keighley and Worth Valley Railway bosses have discussed potential plans to expand facilities at the tourist attraction.

The tourist route which has been running trains for over 40 years welcomes over 210 000 visitor per year.

Chairman of the railway Dr Matthew Stroh says if the scheme goes ahead, there will be plenty of new things to see.

"A key part of the plan is to extend our engine shed at Haworth Station, so we can add a bit that visitors can come and have a look around at the engines that aren't working at the moment", he said. 

Increasing the number of locomotive sheds is a bid to draw more visitors in to sample the old-fashioned railway experience.

"The other key attration will be at Haworth station, where currently, it is great catching the train to Haworth village, but you can't see around our locomotives.

"And what I really want to do is to give them something to see, so they can see what it is like to look after these engines and learn about the engineering that goes into looking after them", he said.
 
The line which first opened in 1867 was famous for transporting coal to West Yorkshire's industries before it closed in 1962.

It reopened again to passengers in 1968 following the efforts of local enthusiasts who's preservation society and volunteer work breathed new life into the route.

Popular spots on the line include Oakworth, where the Railway Children movie was filmed, and Haworth which was home to the Bronte family.

A new cafe, improvement to the Haworth, Oxenhope and Keighley stations and refurbishment to the on-sight museum are just some of the few facilities which could benefit from the scheme.

Born In Bradford Conference Underway at National Media Museum

By Daniel Lynch

The fourth annual Born In Bradford conference began this morning at the city's National Media Museum. 

The project began in March 2007 and the medial progress of 13,500 babies born in Bradford Royal Infirmary between then and December 2010 has been tracked by researchers.

It is hoped that the study will shed light on why some children may become ill and even die while others go on to live long and healthy lives.

Opening the conference Dr. John Wright, who's in charge of the research, addressed several hundred professionals from fields of medicine and academia.

"Born in Bradford unites us around the common interest of a healthier future. We have hundreds of researchers world wide. In a sense this is one of the world's first crowd sourcing medical research projects."

Professor of Clinical Epideniology at the University of Southampton David Barker followed to discuss the impact of a pregnant woman's diet on her unborn child. He said the first 30, including those before birth, are crucial to a child's development.

"The nutrition we get in the womb alters our genetic make up for life. Get it right for the first 1000 days from conception - there is no second chance."

By studying the Bradford children, researchers hope to develop preventative treatments for conditions from Coronary Heart Disease and diabetes to asthma. Professor Barker said that these ailments aren't genetic but are often provoked by the diet of an expectant mother, or indeed her mother.

He said that this research can do "hugely beneficial things for a generation by focussing on childhood" and by ensuring the health of this group of children we can ensure the health of future generations."

Dr. John Wright says Bradford is the ideal location for a study of this kind as it "represents a contemporary, multi-ethnic, British population".

Bradford Ice Arena Plans Facelift

By Daniel Lynch

Plans to update facilities at the Bradford Ice Arena have been discussed with council leader David Green.

Arena Director, Krystyna Rogers says that although it's not clear how much help the council can provide, changes are needed for the ice rink to remain operational.

Just four years ago, £400,000 was spent on a new freezing plant, updating the model which was still in use since the rink's opening in 1961. In addition, Miss Rogers believes a new sign and better signposting on the city's roads could significantly boost interest in the rink.

"We can't do any more than we're already doing but the maintenance costs are horrendous. The income costs only allow us to make sure we survive."

Miss Rogers first took over the arena in 1991 shortly after original owners closed it and in 1995 her new company became a charitable organisation, Ice Time Limited, to ensure the rink's future.

Last month Miss Rogers was named Woman of Achievement in Business at the Sue Ryder Yorkshire Women of Achievement Awards and she believes her success has helped raise the profile of her campaign.

"Since I received the award there has been a little bit more attention on the ice rink and I was hoping that that would give me a stronger voice to highlight how important it is to the city of Bradford and the surrounding area."

Since the development of City Park, the campaign to save the National Media Museum and the council's bid to modernise the city centre with free WiFi, Miss Rogers says the rink has become an eyesore and a redesign would benefit the whole area.

"The square looks lovely, the Odeon is going to be redone and the National Media Museum is there. But as soon as you go up the hill it doesn't look so good. Making us look better would complete the regeneration of the city centre."

Watch BCB's Daniel Lynch try his hand at some ice-skating.

Why Did the Chicken Cross ... Toller Lane ?

by Emma Wilkinson

The joke ‘Why did the chicken cross the road?’ was given an entirely new meaning in Bradford this morning, but this was no ‘yoke’.

Commuters’ schedules were scrambled due to poultry blocking Toller Lane, just outside the city centre.

During morning rush hour, three chickens clucked around the middle of the road, holding up traffic and bus services before police officers arrived to deal with the issue.

First Bus station manager Sam Jack believes the chickens belonged to a local man and had somehow escaped on to the busy road.

He said: “It’s very unusual, I’ve been working here thirty years and I’ve never come across it

“People on the 620 bus were just laughing. They were very understanding though, we’re a nation of animal lovers, none of us want to endanger any kind of living species, including chickens”, he added.

It’s thought the birds were returned home safely and the 620 bus service was only delayed for around eight minutes.

But Sam Jack said he’s not EGGspecting a similar situation to arise in the future.



Bradford's City Park Wins Top Planning Award

By Daniel Lynch  

City Park has beaten off competition from six other finalists in the Yorkshire region to win first prize in the Royal Town Planning Institute's Yorkshire Region Planning Excellence Awards.

It's the eighth award for the city centre space since the £24.5 million project was opened just over a year ago.

The award will be presented to planning officers John Eyles and Stewart Currie ar the RTPI Conference in Leeds today.

City Park is home to the UK's largest man-made city centre water feature comprising over 100 fountains and a 4,000 square metre mirror pool, as well as a recent update of free Wi-Fi internet access.

Coun Val Slater, Bradford Council's executive member for planning said: "I'm delighted City Park has won this award and that the quality of the professional work of our town planners has been recognised.

Blaze at Shipley Scrapyard

Firefighters were today called out to tackle a fierce blaze at a Shipley scrapyard.

Several cars were involved in the fire at Shipley Autospares on Leeds Road and twenty officers from four different stations were needed to put it out.

The cause is now being investigated.

Bradford's Centenary Square Sings for Peace

By Edward Watson


Hundreds of school kids gathered in Centenary Square over lunchtime to celebrate peace and community in Bradford.

The highlight of the Big Sing for Peace saw pupils from Thornton Grammar School collaborate with musician Roger Davies.

They performed the final three songs to kids from a host of Bradford schools who enjoyed over an hour of music as a grand finale to three months of the Routes for Peace season.

The project has run since March aiming to bring Bradford communities closer together and tried to celebrate its heritage and future.

The Head of the Peace Museum, Diane Hadwen, helped organise the Big Sing for Peace. She felt that even though it's only in it's first year the Routes for Peace season has had positive effects.

She said: "It's brought together people from lots of different backgrounds and with lots of different interests and it's recognised the fact there's loads of good work going on in Bradford.

"The impacts it's had is bringing organisations and community groups together.

"Instead of them doing things in isolation everybody knows what everyone else is doing and there's been a great sharing of good practice."

Mr Davies co-wrote the song 'City of Dreams' with the Thornton Grammar Schools pupils. He said: "It's a song written from the point of view of the pupils.

"I put myself in their shoes and they told me all about what life was like for them and we just wrote it like that.

"It's a celebration of what it's like to be young with a positive outlook and feeling good about who you are, where you come from and what you want to do with your life.

"And that all happens in this city of dreams of course - Bradford."

Bradford Success in Building Excellence Awards

by Óné Chappy
  
 

Hill End Lane, Harden

 

 

Four building schemes in Bradford have been short-listed for the national finals of the Building Excellence Awards.

 

Bradford Council put forward ten schemes from around the district, which has resulted in four outright winners in their building categories at the recent regional finals held at Headingley Stadium.

 

The award celebrates some of the best examples of building quality across West Yorkshire. 

 

Bradford entry winners include;17 Ladderbanks Lane in Baildon, 128 plots by Harron Homes at Hazelhurst Quarry Long Lane, Queensbury, Hill End Farm Hill and the Sustainable Enterprise Centre at Bradford University. 

   

The winning buildings are judged on the building's standards, their technical innovation and sustainable designs.

 

Projects submitted for the award range from domestic extensions to commercial developments. 

 

Bradford Council's Executive Member for  Housing, Planning and Transport, Val Slater said: "We are pleased to be so well represented in these prestigious awards. It is good to hear that such excellent workmanship is being carried out in our district, resulting in schemes to be proud of."

 

The Buildings Excellence Awards co-hosted by the five West Yorkshire local authorities - Bradford, Leeds, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield, were launched nine years ago.

 

They are the only regional awards of their kind to cover all forms of construction.

 

The regional event raised £2,374.81 for the nominated charity which was the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

 

The national finals take place in London in the autumn. 

 

 

 Click below for more photographs of Bradford entry winners

Bradford Council Fined Over Cherrypicker Fall

by Emma Wilkinson

Bradford Council has been fined £12,000 and ordered to pay nearly £10,000 in costs after admitting serious safety breaches that could have resulted in the death of an employee.

Bradford Magistrates heard the 23-year-old worker from Bingley was pruning branches at a height of some 35 feet when the cherry picker overturned, sending him crashing to the ground.

The man suffered multiple injuries including fractures to his spine, collar bone, pelvis and right leg, plus internal injuries that needed surgery.

The incident happened in July last year and left the man out of work for more than five months. Although he has since returned, he is no longer able to carry out tree work at height.

Investigations were carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which prosecuted Bradford Council after identifying a series of failings involving the planning and preparation of the work.

The court was told two tree workers set up the cherry picker correctly on a compacted path in the woods and one of them was working in the extended cradle among the tree tops. As he rotated the boom arm and cradle to move from tree to tree, the weight distribution of the machine changed and the cherry picker overturned.

The HSE investigation found the wrong type of ground mats had been provided to the team to put underneath the machine’s feet. The unbalanced machine then toppled without warning.

Keighley Man Rescued by Neighbour

A Keighley man has been rescued from a fire in his flat by a neighbour.

Emergency services were called to the flat on Greenfield Court at around 10 o clock last night.

The man was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

It's thought the fire was caused by a kitchen appliance.

“Bankers Have Messed Up” – Bradford Author on Currency Scandal

by Emma Wilkinson

Bradford-based writer, artist and tattooist, Dr Joolz Denby branded the Bank of England “pathetic” and “stupid” in reference to the on-going saga about female figures appearing on currency.

In April the central bank announced that the face of prison reformer Elizabeth Fry would be replaced by wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill on £5 notes, leaving The Queen as the only female face to grace bank notes.

But today the Governor of the Bank of England, Sir Mervyn King diffused criticisms of the decision, saying author Jane Austen is "quietly waiting in the wings" to be the face of the new £10 note.

But equality activist Dr Denby said: “The fact that they’ve had Jane Austen ‘in the wings’ shows they had some idea that everyone might complain about the lack of women and they simply had her as a contingency plan. It’s pathetic, if they wanted Jane Austen, why not put her on straight away, rather than replace the only female face with Winston Churchill?”

The initial suggestion that historical female figures may disappear from bank notes completely, prompted demands from feminist campaigners to know how the bank came to its decision and a group of 46 MPs and peers wrote to the bank asking them to reconsider.

The current selection criteria for anyone appearing on a bank note are that the person should be 'uncontroversial', easily recognisable, have made an enduring contribution to society and good artwork must exist on which a design can be based.

Dr Denby said the issue goes much further than women not being represented on bank notes though, suggesting that education on historical female figures is seriously lacking.

“Iconic male figures are very well-known but respected women in history are not sufficiently taught about in schools. A lot of young people would have no idea who Elizabeth Fry is and that is a real problem,” she said.

The final decision on whether Jane Austen will be recognised on future bank notes will be in the hands of Sir King’s successor, Mark Carney, who takes over the role on 1 July.

Dr Denby said although she would personally like to see the Celtic Queen Boudica grace the front of a bank note, she recognises Jane Austen would be a popular choice.

She said: “People love Jane Austen and regard her writing as iconic English writing and for those many women who admire her, I think it would be the right choice.”

Bradford Campaigners Hail 'Amazing' Cancer Treatment

By Daniel Lynch & Emma Wilkinson

A West Yorkshire woman who had both breasts removed because she was at high risk of developing cancer has told BCB that a new treatment is an "amazing" development. 

A new drug, which could the reduce risk of developing breast cancer by up to forty per cent, has been recommended to be made available on the NHS by medical watchdog NICE.

Women who test positive for a gene which increases the risk of breast cancer will be given the treatment which over five years could significantly reduce their chances of developing the disease.

It provides an alternative to women who, if diagnosed, faced the prospect of a mastectomy as the only meaningful preventative measure.

Tracey Barraclough had both her breasts, her ovaries and womb removed when she was found to be at high risk. Both her mother and grandmother died of ovarian cancer and Tracey had the same gene which causes the disease.

Tracey said: "It's really important to have options. None of my family did, it was too late for all of them. To have options is vital mentally and emotionally."

She believes the new treatment could be important to lots of Bradford women:

Bradford Shotgun Incidents May Be Linked - Police

Police aren't ruling out a link between two shooting incidents in Bradford which occured within twenty four hours of each other.

On both occasions a shotgun was discharged, the first at a flat and the second at a pub in the Otley Road area.

Due to the proximity and timing of the shootings police say they are investigating the possibility that they are linked.

A shotgun was fired in the flat on Brookefield Road damaging a window on Saturday. The second shots were fired on Sunday evening at the Peel Park Pub where a shotgun was discharged into the ceiling before the shooter escaped in a silver car.

Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Residents Kick Up Stink Over Waste Processing Plant

By Daniel Lynch and Emma Wilkinson

Residents of Frizinghall say they are at the end of their tether because of the smell from a nearby waste processing plant.




According to people living near the plant, it's original purpose was for the processing of skip waste, but around two years ago black bin waste began to arrive at the facility on Canal Road.

Residents say when they complained of the smell to Environmental Health Agency, efforts were made to enclose the rubbish in an air-conditioned building. It was promised that this would contain the smell which was particularly putrid on warmer days.

Despite the assurances, protestors submitted a petition to Bradford City Council to block the plans for the building enclosure with homeowners saying the facility was too close to a residential area.

Phil Goode, who lives near the plant, told BCB: "You can't go out in your own garden because of the sour smell of rotting rubbish. That site stinks every day."

"The air conditioning unit doesn't seem to have had any affect at all. On warm days they have to have the doors open which makes the roof useless because the smell just gets out."

He also says the rubbish poses a health issue for residents and schools near the plant.

Business Development Director for the plant, Tim Shapcot, said the company are working to ease the problem.

"Our job as a reputable waste management company is to ensure that we are maintaining the amenity as part of our planning permission and our waste management license."

Mr. Shapcot said the roof has made a difference, contrary to what residents say, and that more is being done to control the odour.

"The roof has actually contained the smells. We do have some issues with airflow in the building and that's what we're currently working on. I'm fairly confident that in the next two weeks or so that a lot of those problems will be eradicated."

Bradford Pub Cordoned Off After Shotgun Fired

 

A Bradford pub remains cordoned off this lunchtime after an incident involving a firearm.

A masked man is believed to have fired a shotgun into the ceiling at the Peel Park pub on Otley Road, last night, before fleeing the scene in a silver car.

No one was injured but Police are appealling for anyone who was in the pub at the time,
or anyone who saw a car speeding off down Barkerend Road, to come forward.

Anyone with information should call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

(Photo: Emma Wilkinson)

West End Stars of the future Perform at Bradford Alhambra

by Rachel Gallacher

West Yorkshire stage and musical theatre stars of the future will be performing at Bradford Alhambra tomorrow.

Leeds based College SLP, are rehearsing for their show 'West End to Broadway' which has been choreographed by some of the biggest names in the business.

Eddy Cox a star of Chicago, Nick Winston who choreographed Loserville and Saturday Night Fever's Rosy Thompson are just some of the names involved in the creativity.

BCB reporter Daniel Lynch spoke to Head of Dance Kirsty Sparks who said that the show has something for everyone: ''We've got big Broadway musicals like Annie, commercial work, Sondheim and amazing Broadway tap numbers.''

Miss Sparks also told us how important it is for the students to get experience like this before graduating:






Some of the third year students have already secured employment for when they graduate next month, Morgan Jackson will be joining the UK tour of Stanley Donen's ''Seven Brides for Seven Brothers'' and Sam Murphy has been signed with a London Agency.

Police Search for Missing Bingley Schoolgirl

By Edward Watson



Police are appealing for information to help find a missing schoolgirl.

13-year-old Morwena Evans was last seen behind Windhill Church of England Primary School in Shipley when she left her friends on Thursday evening.

She attends Beckfoot School in Bingley.

Anyone with information should call West Yorkshire Police via 101.

World Curry Festival kicks off in Bradford

By Daniel Lynch

Bradford's City Park will be taken over for the next three days by the World Curry Festival.

Restaurants from all over Yorkshire will be exhibiting a selection of their menus while the stage will host musicians from the city,

Traditional foods from Jamaica, Kashmir, India, Pakistan and Malaysia among others will be available to sample.

St Leonard's Farm Celebrates One Millionth Visitor

by Sallie Gregson

St. Leonard's farm in Esholt is celebrating huge milestone.

The millionth visitor passed through the gates at the popular children’s farm, in the picturesque Yorkshire countryside, this month.

Farmer James Wainhouse and his wife Denise were thrilled to have reached such a huge number of guests.

Our reporter Sallie Gregson visited the attraction:

Summer Celebration Swim at Ilkley Lido

by Edward Watson

It's the longest day of the year, and around 70 revelers at Ilkley Lido just couldn't wait to celebrate.

The eager crowd arrived at around 5am to join in the fun by going for a freezing cold dip in the lido.

It's the first time a solstice swim has taken place there, and the event was topped off with bacon baps for breakfast.

John Coulton - Bradford Council's Sports Facilities Manager - who also took part in the dip said: "Lots of people do mad things for the summer solstice like dressing up as druids on the moors.

"We just wanted to do something and we're celebrating it with a swim.

"The lido's only open for 16 weeks of the year and we're marking the start of the summer season for the lido."

Campaigners Fear for Historic Bradford Pub

Story and EXCLUSIVE PICTURES by Daniel Lynch 

 

Efforts are underway to save the oldest pub in Bradford.

The Cock and Bottle on Church Bank has been closed for two years and is now the subject of a planning application which the Campaign for Real Ale claims is illegal.

CAMRA allege that developers have failed to consult conservation authorities such as English Heritage, which is a legal requirement, and say they are "astonished that the application has made it this far."

Dale Ingram, CAMRA's Pubs Protection Advisor told a planning panel: "All of the expert opinion agrees that the harm to the Cock and Bottle's heritage value is very substantial."

CAMRA have vowed to pursue the case, and have threatened to take the issue to Bradford born Secretary of State, Eric Pickles for support.

They say that since the pub was bought by current owner - Aftab Ali - two years ago they have tried to maintain a working dialogue.

Ms Ingram continued: "At least one pub-owning couple in Bradford would willingly have entered into negotiations with Mr Ali to take a lease on the premises to run it as a pub, had one been available. 

"The only reason the Cock and Bottle has been closed for 2 years is because that is when Mr Ali bought it and he has chosen not to open it or to find someone to do it for him."

Cock & Bottle owner Aftab Ali

Mr Ali refutes these claims saying he has complied with all regulations which are in place. He says that the structural features CAMRA and English Heritage are looking to preserve are still intact and he wants them to remain part of the building's new look.

 "We're going to renovate it tastfully, in line with all the regulations. Nothing has been disturbed and that was never my intention."

In addition, he says he has not broken off contact with CAMRA or council officers throughout the planning process and that should anyone approach him with a lease offer he would be open to negotiations.

"CAMRA seem to miss the point that nobody had the money or the inclination to invest in the pub. I did. I'm doing more for English heritage than they could ever have done because they haven't invested a penny in it."

Mr Ali argues that he is not only staying true to the pub's history, but that he is enhancing and repairing features which through time have become damaged.

He allowed BCB News inside the building to capture the following exclusive images:

Blast From The Past Uncovered in Keighley Car Park

When demolition workers in Keighley were getting rid of an unwanted boiler house, they weren't expecting to stumble across a World War II air raid shelter. 

The shelter was found three feet below the ground of a car park in the grounds of the old Keighley College building on North Street.

Made of brick with a reinforced concrete ceiling, it was about three feet wide and had four linked corridors in a rectangular layout.

Evidence of the tough conditions Keighley residents endured in war-time could be seen in the wooden boards on the floors which archeologists say were to keep people's feet off the cold concrete.

Bradford Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe said: "I find this discovery absolutely fascinating. The remnants of the air raid shelter are a stark reminder of the fear under which people had to live their lives during the Second World War.

"I'm pleased we're able to record the find for local history archives", she added.

 

The council say they were totally unaware of the shelter's existence as wartime construction was often carried out quickly and not properly logged.

Paul North, Bradford Council's Airedale and Manningham Masterplan Manager said: "It was one of a number of wartime shelters. Others were located under Town Hall square and under the roundabout at the bottom of Oakworth Road."

The shelter wasn't unearthed for long though - it soon disappeared back underneath the car park that was being repaired to attract developers to the site.

But it's unlikely to be unexpectedly discovered again, as it's now permanently logged in the History Environment Record.

New Bid to Catch Bradford Burglar

by Emma Wilkinson

West Yorkshire Police are stepping up the hunt for a man who stole thousands of pounds from a club on New Works Road in Bradford.

The suspect arrived at the Harold Club in Low Moor in a blue Renault Clio at about 5.30pm on 13 May before making his way into the club and stealing thousands of pounds in cash.

He then fled the scene in the same car.

Police say they have carried out numerous enquiries in the local area, but have not yet been able to bring the man to justice.

They have now released this CCTV image of a man in a black jacket, jeans and a green baseball cap in the hope that the public will be able to help track him down.

Officers ask that anyone with information contact PC Simon Woodhead at Bradford South CID on the non-emergency number 101 or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Bradford Cyclists Treated to a Hearty Breakfast

By Óné Chappy

Bradford cyclists have been treated to a hearty breakfast in Centenary Square. The so-called  ‘Bike breakfast’ is an annual summer event aimed at promoting cycling in and around the city.

The scheme has been designed for those who enjoy cycle commuting already, and to give a little encouragement to those who are thinking about becoming regular cyclists.

This year’s event, which took place at Centenary Square attracted around 32 cyclists.

Tom Jones from the Bradford City Council's Transport Planning Team said the bike breakfast is just one of the events they run around the city to promote cycling in Bradford.

He said, “It is just a case of putting on hot drinks, a little bit of food and pastry”

“We do at least one each summer just to say thanks for bothering and to encourage more people to cycle.”

Cyclists in the city said they are pleased to see the council doing something to promote cycling within their community.

Cyclist Martin Heminway said, “Anything to promote cycling is fantastic, the more people on bikes the better”.

The two hour long event also gave cyclists advice on how to keep safe on the roads as well as introducing them to cycle friendly routes.

The campaign is funded by Bradford Council and go:cycling adult cycle training campaign.

Bantams Fixtures Announced

by Edward Watson

Bradford City will begin their League One campaign with an away fixture at recently relegated Bristol City.

The Bantams won promotion from League Two last season after a 3-0 thrashing of Northampton Town in the play-off final at Wembley.

Their first opponent at Valley Parade will be Carlisle United, before Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United visit on August 24th.

Always a highly anticipated fixture - the Boxing Day match will see another Yorkshire club at Valley Parade in the form of Rotherham United - who were also promoted from League Two last season.

Bantams will end the season away at Tranmere Rovers with fans hoping they'll have done enough to be playing League One football or higher in 2014.

City's fans will be encouraged that the team have been backed for a mid-table finish by bookmakers, with odds to win League One - correct at the time of writing - of 20/1 with William Hill and Paddy Power and 25/1 with Sky Bet.

The full list of League fixtures for 2013/14 follows:

New Catheter Lab to Open at BRI

by Rachel Gallacher 




People living in West Yorkshire will soon have access to a new state-of-the-art facilities lab that will help ‘save lives.’

Bradford Royal Infirmary are in the process of building a new cardiac unit which is set to be among the most advanced of its kind in the country.

The new lab means that more patients will be treated in Bradford, rather than having to travel to the regional cardiac centre at Leeds General Infirmary.

The project, which has cost around £2.3 million was invested by the Foundation Trust. Chief Executive Bryan Miller says they are ‘delighted that they are able to do this to help modernise, replace and develop the cardiac unit on Ward 22.’

Generous charitable donations were also given to the cardiac unit. Managing Director of PEC Building, Sohan Panesar handed over a cheque to the cardiac unit for £62,000. This was raised by a years program of events such as sky diving, climbing the three peaks and swimming with sharks.

He said: "Sky diving had the most adrenalin rush about it and the support from everyone has been absolutely brilliant."

He helped raise the money in memory of his Grandad and says that "It will mean a lot to see the money put to good use."

Bradford Teaching Hospitals is in the process of finalising plans for the new lab which will open in Spring 2014.

Police Probe Two Deaths in Bradford

Investigations are underway after two women aged 38 and 51 were found dead at separate addresses in the Lower Grange area on Sunday afternoon. 

Detectives say the women knew each other but were not related and it is not yet known whether the deaths are linked.

Airedale and North Bradford Police are still trying to establish how the two women died but post-mortems have taken place and toxicology tests are being carried out.

Two local men aged 31 and 45 have been arrested, questioned and released on bail.

The two residences have been extensively searched by officers who have also spent time reassuring members of the community.

Police want anyone with information to contact them om 101 or to call Crimestoppers on: 0800 555 111.

New Hopes Media Museum Will Survive

by Emma Wilkinson

The future of the National Media Museum looks brighter today after Culture Minister Ed Vaizey assured Bradford MPs that he does not want to let the museum close.

The meeting took place at Westminster last night to discuss the question of whether one of three northern museums belonging to the Science Museum Group would face closure because of shortages in funding.

Bosses from the Science Museum Group said the prospect of a further a 10% cut in government backing would mean either the Railway Museum in York, the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Manchester or the National Media Museum in Bradford would have to close.

Nearly forty thousand people, including celebrities like Oscar-winner John Hurt and Bradford local Gareth Gates, got behind a campaign to save the National Media Museum.

But Liberal Democrat MP for Bradford East, David Ward, had said that the threat of closure was completely blown out of proportion and that it was a bargaining ploy to get more money out of the government.

But Gerry Sutcliffe, Labour MP for Bradford South has been behind the campaign from the beginning and was at the Westminster meeting last night.

He told BCB: “The good news is that because of the public support that we’ve had as MPs and the national support that we’ve been getting, the government would see it as a big political problem to close the museum.”

Listen to the full interview with BCB’s Ônè Chappy here:

West Yorkshire Derby for Bantams in Capital One Cup

Bradford City players Nathan Doyle and Garry Thompson celebrate with the League Two play off trophy in Centenary Square

by Edward Watson

Bradford City will face an away tie at local rivals Huddersfield Town in the first round of the Capital One Cup.

The Bantams were the highlight of last season's competition reaching the final - becoming the first fourth tier side to reach a major final at Wembley.

They beat three Premier League sides along the way - Wigan Athletic, Arsenal and Aston Villa.

The prospect of a derby in City's second game of the season will bring some added excitement to the start of the 2013/14 campaign as they prepare for League One after winning promotion last season.

The two sides last met in 2011 in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy with Bradford winning 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

The tie is due to take place on August 6th or 7th, just a few days after City's opening match which is due to be announced this week.

This was the reaction of fans in Bradford:

Bradford City Women's FC Celebrate Promotion.

by Rachel Gallacher

Bradford City Women's Football Club are planning celebrations having been invited to join the Premier League Northern Division by the FA.

The Bantams had a brief appearance in this league back in 1997 but were relegated after just two seasons.

Manager Steve Winterburn said: "The players are delighted and I'm delighted for them. They deserve it because they've had a great season."

Team Captain Bridie Hannon has high hopes for next season and is thrilled with the news:

Man Arrested After Supermarket Standoff

By Óné Chappy

A man's been arrested at a West Yorkshire supermarket following a knife incident, police have confirmed.

Officers called to the Sainsbury's supermarket on Harehills Lane in Leeds arrested a 32 year old on suspicion of affray following reports of a man demonstrating threatening behaviour with knives in the street.

The man arrested, thought to come from the local area was contained inside the supermarket where Police negotiated with him. A member of the public suffered a small cut to his finger during the incident. 

The West Yorkshire Police helicopter was called to the scene, along with fire crews before the five hour long standoff was resolved.

Call for Action at Blaze-Hit Bradford Pub

by Emma Wilkinson

Allerton residents are calling for tougher action to be taken after fire fighters had to put out another blaze at The Old Kings Head pub last night.

The Grade II listed pub, on Cote Lane on the outskirts of the village, has been derelict for over five years and has gained a reputation as an anti-social hotspot.

The fire service have been called to the building a number of times over the past few months and residents allege that break-ins and thefts at the pub are commonplace.  

Pensioner Anne Dickens, who has lived next door to the pub for the past three years, claims youths hanging around the pub have stolen from her and threatened her when she said she would report them.

She said: “I worry about these fires when I’m at work because I’m so close to the pub and sparks can fly. At least when I’m here, I know I can get out.”

A sign on the front of the pub, displayed on behalf of B2 Property Group says ‘Coming soon – exclusive development of new homes’.

But Ms Dickens said: “There have been plans to develop that pub ever since I moved in and there have been no signs of change. I just hope they do something soon because that will stop all the problems we have.”

Bradford Festival's City Park First

By Edward Watson

A 200-strong choir will be the highlight of Bradford Festival's main event opening night on Friday evening.

Just a week after the Bollywood Carmen, City Park will play host to another large scale event this weekend.

The festival is making a return after a six year absence. It is being hosted for the first time in City Park as well as various other venues scattered across the city.

It will see a vast array of music, dance, theatre and food over the three days culminating with 'Mela Day' on Sunday - incorporating the former Bradford Mela which was cancelled due to bad weather last year.

Friday night's highlight will come from the Bradford Festival Choral Society - a 200-strong choir including a mixture of people from Bradford alongside some star solo singers.

They'll be joined by a professional orchestra - The Skipton Building Society Camerata.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe helped to organise the event and will also perform as part of the choir.

She said: "It's the first year in some time we've had the festival and I hope it will celebrate everything that's good about Bradford.

"The festival is great boost economically as well bringing people to the city centre.

"I've been a part of policy making for the event but I also wanted to be a part of it myself."



Maggie Eisner is due to perform with the Bradford Festival Choral Society.