Airedale Stitchers will bring their exhibition ‘Our Bradford’ to Bradford Cathedral from the 12th May – 20th June 2025
Airedale Stitchers will be exhibiting their ‘Our Bradford’ exhibition in Bradford Cathedral during the UK City of Culture year.
The exhibition, which is based on the theme of what Bradford means to the group’s members, will run from Monday 12th May – Friday 20th June 2025, as part of that season’s ‘Weaving Stories’ season running until September 2025 at Bradford Cathedral. This season of events, demonstrations, tours, and exhibitions will help you to explore the rich heritage of Bradford through the historic threads of the wool trade that go back to the Cathedral’s foundations 1,400 years ago, and that bind the global city together.”
The exhibition will see thirty-five works hanging from the pillars in the Cathedral, each capturing a place or feeling from the Bradford District, each styled in one of many different types of stitches including applique, hand embroidery, machine embroidery, and patchwork,
Interpretation boards and a guide will reveal more about the works on display, and locations captured in stitches will include the Bingley Five Rise Locks; the Wool Exchange; Ilkley’s Cow and Calf rocks; Haworth Moor; and, of course, Bradford Cathedral.
A launch event will be held on Thursday 15th May from 2-4pm.
Helen Barnes, a member of Airedale Stitchers, says:
“Our starting point was thinking about what makes Bradford home for us. Our ideas were diverse, memories of growing up and working in the area to the love of the landscape and consideration of the historical industrial heritage. The connecting thread throughout our thoughts is the wool industry from fields of sheep to the silhouette of the city outline and the people living and working in Bradford.
“Working in large hoops our members have used a variety of textile techniques including embroidery and applique, mixed media, hand embroidery, machine embroidery, patchwork and quilting.
“We hope visitors will enjoy looking at our work in the beautiful setting of the Cathedral and the images portrayed will resonate with people while they reflect on their own memories of living or visiting the area.”
The Revd Canon Ned Lunn, Bradford Cathedral’s Canon for Intercultural Mission and the Arts, says:
“Our ‘Weaving Stories’ season seeks to promote, teach and encourage engagement in the heritage wool crafts that have been the foundation of our city and district for 1,400 years. The Cathedral community has stood at the heart of that history on our site for all that time and we are excited to welcome everybody to hear the rich and diverse stories that have made Bradford what it is today.
“The Airedale Stitchers exhibition will kick off this season of work and will set the tone for all that will follow. Come and be inspired by how others experience life in our beautiful district and maybe create your own expression of love for all that makes us Bradford.”
Alongside the exhibition, you’ll be able to see photographs of the stitchers and their pieces on the Bradford Cathedral website, and across their social media, as well as learning more about their inspirations in creating them.
ENDS
‘Our Bradford’, by Airedale Stitchers, will be on display at Bradford Cathedral from Monday 12th May – Friday 20th June 2025 with the launch event taking place on Thursday 15th May from 2-4pm. You can book your free place(s) at https://bradfordcathedral.churchsuite.com/events/mlxjdzqj
You can see the exhibition during the Cathedral’s regular opening hours of 10am – 4pm Monday – Saturday, and around services and events, but please check the website ahead of time for any changes to this. For more information, please visit bradfordcathedral.org.uk/bradford2025