Weaving Stories is an exciting art and heritage project led by Bradford Cathedral as part of our contribution to the UK City of Culture 2025, with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
It is part of our second season of Bradford 2025 events – also called Weaving Stories.
Through a loom installation in the Cathedral, we will invite local communities to co-create a breathtaking new tapestry, weaving together the rich, shared stories of Bradford’s wool trade—a heritage deeply embedded in the city’s diverse, global communities. The loom will be accompanied by a special ‘sound tapestry’: a recorded collection of voices and stories.
This project is about more than preserving history; it’s about bringing people together. By taking part, you will help safeguard an at-risk heritage craft, learn new skills, and build lasting connections with one of Bradford’s most significant cultural spaces.
The completed tapestry will then go on display in the Cathedral after a launch event on St. Blaise Day, Tuesday 3rd February 2026.
About the Project
From Monday 5th May to Monday 15th September 2025, the loom will be in place at Bradford Cathedral, and we invite everyone – regardless of skill or experience – to add their own contribution. You can take part during our opening hours, at special events, or during services. There will be an explanatory video to help you add your weaves.
As you weave, we’d love to hear your story.
- What is your connection to Bradford?
- When did you or your family arrive in the city?
- Where do you see yourself in our shared life today?
More Than a Tapestry: A Celebration of Culture
Beyond the hands-on creation of the tapestry, Weaving Stories will also include:
- Educational tours exploring Bradford’s wool heritage
- Live weaving demonstrations showcasing traditional techniques and getting you started in your own crafting!
- Community gatherings & discussions celebrating our city’s cultural diversity
All event details will be available in our What’s On Guide and on our website — so be sure to book your place and join in!
Working in partnership
The Bradford Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers have been a huge help in developing this project. Not only have they tutored us on the various processes of weaving and advised us on sourcing the wool, but they have spun and dyed the wool for the weaving using locally grown natural dyes.
We would like to thank Bradford wool processing business Howarth Scouring who gave us the fleeces for free as they wish to support this project because it promotes Bradford and its historical crafts.
We are also working with the fabulous West Riding Stone Carving Association who are making Yorkshire stone loom weights which will be part of the final artwork. They are going to be carving words and phrases taken from the stories that you share with us onto the weights.
Huge thanks to the Guild and Association who are both volunteer organisations and have given their time for free to see this project happen.
‘Weaving Stories’ has been made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to bring alive this unique project. We are very grateful to the Heritage Fund, as majority funding partners.
Find out more
You will be able to track the progress of Weaving Stories on our website and across the Bradford Cathedral social media channels – look out for photos, videos, blog posts and much more!
Meet the Team
Shaeron Caton-Rose, Visual Artist
“I will be creating the embroidery and tapestry that come together to tell the story of people who’ve come to live in Bradford. I’m really excited to transform their stories into something permanent and beautiful.”
Ellen Sargen, Sound Artist
“I’ll be working with communities throughout Bradford to collect stories of how they came in, and why they came here. I’m excited to get to know everyone, hear their voices, and to include it in the soundscape.”
Brigid Power, Project Evaluator
“I’m really looking forward to seeing and understanding the impacts that a really creative art project like this will have on lots of different communities and see what comes out of it.
Get Involved
For any of the opportunities below, please get in touch with the Revd Canon Ned Lunn, Project Manager of Weaving Stories, on ned.lunn@bradfordcathedral.org
Help Create the ‘Sound Tapestry’
Before the loom is even in place, we’re looking for individuals and community groups to contribute to the ‘sound tapestry’. Whether you’re a crafter, a storyteller, or simply someone with a personal link to Bradford’s woolly past, we’d love to capture your voice.
Volunteer Artists
If you have experience in embroidery, stitching or textile work and would like to be part of a small group of volunteer artists to work with our lead visual artist to create the detailed artwork for the tapestry, we’d love to hear from you.
Join us in weaving together threads of history, culture, and community—one stitch, one story at a time.