Free family activities are back again at Bradford Cathedral for the Half-term Holidays. There are two free sessions on Tuesday 27th May, between 10am and 11:30am and 1pm and 2:30pm. Maggie Myers, Bradford Cathedral’s Director of Education and Visitors, says:“We're looking forward to welcoming children and their carers to our free half-term activity sessions. “With World Environment Day coming up, our activities will be based around animals and nature, with lots of crafts, colouring and quizzes! “There will also be the opportunity to make a Father’s Day card. “Family-friendly guided tours of the Cathedral take place at 11:30am and 2:30pm, after the sessions, for those who would like to learn more about the Cathedral. “You are also welcome to visit the Cathedral with your family and do your own self-guided tour. Trails and quizzes are also available, as are refreshments. All are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.” Bradford Cathedral looks forward to welcoming you at the next Family Activities, but booking is essential in order to ensure a place. Children must be accompanied at all times by an adult. For more information – and to book your free place – please visit bradfordcathedral.org.uk/featured-events
On Monday 26th May, Bradford Cathedral will be opening its doors for a pair of Morris & Co. Stained Glass Window Tours, focussing on the Morris & Co. windows in the Cathedral. The famous Victorian artist and designer William Morris founded Morris & Co. and, along with renowned figures such as Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Edward Burne-Jones and Ford Madox Brown, created many pieces of stunning stained glass, some early examples of which are on display in four locations in Bradford Cathedral. The stained glass also includes a figure, recently discovered to have been designed by William De Morgan. The tours, taking place on Monday 26th May 2025 (Bank Holiday Monday), will also include an appreciation of the magnificent West Window, a beautiful Pre-Raphaelite window designed by Heaton, Butler and Bayne. You can book your places now for the tours, which take place at either 11am (https://morris-tour-may2025-1.eventbrite.co.uk/) or 1pm (https://morris-tour-may2025-2.eventbrite.co.uk/). Tickets are £7 each, plus booking fee. Maggie Myers, Bradford Cathedral’s Director of Education and Visitors, says:“We are delighted to be able to offer these new tours exploring our Morris & Co. stained glass here at Bradford Cathedral. We are fortunate to have an extensive collection of the early work of Morris & Co. in 4 locations in the building, with designs by D G Rossetti, Edward Burne-Jones, Ford Madox Brown, Philip Webb, Peter Paul Marshall, Albert Moore, William De Morgan and William Morris himself. “The tour also includes an appreciation of the magnificent West Window by Heaton, Butler and Bayne, which is a beautiful and colourful Pre-Raphaelite gem.” The tour is a wonderful way to learn more about Bradford Cathedral's stunning stained glass and the Victorian artists and architects who created the designs. The Morris & Co Stained Glass Window Tours take place on Monday 26th May 2025. Tickets for the tours can be booked at https://morris-tour-may2025-1.eventbrite.co.uk/ (11am) or https://morris-tour-may2025-2.eventbrite.co.uk/ (1pm).
Cumbrian cellist and poet Kenneth Wilson, 66, is known for his mad projects. But perhaps this one – Pilgrim Cello – is the maddest of all. Starting on Sunday 18th May 2025, Kenneth will cycle, with his cello, 2,000 miles around all 42 of the English Anglican cathedrals. It’s not just a bike ride, however. It’s a pilgrimage, in the ancient tradition of Christian journeying. And it’s also a concert tour. Kenneth will be giving a performance of a specially-written Meditation in 40 of the 42 cathedrals. He has already performed the Meditation on the Seven Last Words in cathedrals as far apart as Salisbury, Rochester, and Liverpool. The Meditation is a moving evocation of Jesus’s last hours on the cross, combining Kenneth’s short poems with the timeless solo cello music of Bach. “It’s more than a religious work, though,” Kenneth explains. “The Meditation offers music and poetry that has meaning well beyond that. Even if you’ve never been in a cathedral before, I hope the Meditation – as well as the journey – will speak to you!”Three years ago, Kenneth cycled, with his cello, from Hadrian’s Wall to Rome. On that journey he performed in tents, in halls, in the open on the highest paved road over the Alps, and at the Musei Capitolini in Rome. His book, Highway Cello, about that journey, was described by best-selling author Christi Daugherty as “an absolute charmer of a travel book.” The Dalai Lama called his earlier work, Orange Dust: Journeys After the Buddha, “inspirational” and “uplifting.”As well as music and poetry, there is another dimension to Pilgrim Cello. As Kenneth explains, “I will also be carrying with me seven iconic paintings by abstract artist Gillian Lever, which vividly illustrate the Seven Last Words. They underline the “pilgrimage” element of the 2,000-mile journey, and will be displayed at each cathedral performance.”Kenneth Wilson will be performing at Bradford Cathedral on Friday 23rd May 2025 at 3pm, as well as playing two short pieces at the launch of the Cathedrals Cycle Relay 2025 the following day, Saturday 24th May 2025 from 10:30am.Full details of all his performances can be found on his website, www.kennethwilsoncello.com/pilgrim-cello/As well as coming to see a performance, Kenneth hopes that some cyclists might be inspired to join him for a bit of a ride as he passes through the area. But if you do, he promises not to ask you to carry the cello!ENDS Kenneth Wilson will be performing his ‘Meditation on the Seven Last Words of Jesus’ on Friday 23rd May 2025 at 3pm. Entry is free, with a retiring collection, and you can express your interest at https://bradfordcathedral.churchsuite.com/events/n9k1jnfn. You can find out more about the wider tour at http://www.kennethwilsoncello.com/pilgrim-cello.
Art of Andalucia is a powerful tribute to the essence of flamenco, showcasing Daniel Martinez’s exceptional talent as a composer and guitarist. This concert offers a carefully curated journey through some of his most celebrated works, including music from his award-winning production Art of Believing and his latest album Andalucia. Audiences will also enjoy a first glimpse of brand-new material from Daniel’s upcoming third album, making this production a must-see for flamenco lovers and newcomers alike. But Art of Andalucia is more than a music concert—it is a bold celebration of flamenco dance. In this production, dance takes centre stage as music and movement come together in perfect harmony. Daniel has created original music for two standout flamenco dancers, whose choreographies have been specially developed for this tour. The result is a rich and emotionally charged performance that captures the spirit of Andalucia and the soul of flamenco. One of these featured dancers is Angel Reyes, an internationally renowned performer whose explosive energy and deep roots in flamenco tradition have made him a rising star in the global flamenco scene. As well as his solo projects, Angel works for world famous dancers such as Manuel Liñan and Jesus Carmona. Alongside Angel is the stunning Gabriela Pouso, Daniel Martinez’s principal dancer, whose expressive and graceful style has been a core part of the company’s success since its foundation. Together, they deliver unforgettable performances that blend technical brilliance with heartfelt storytelling. Adding further depth and authenticity to the concert are the powerful voices and rhythmic palmas of Inma Montero and Danielo Olivera, whose singing brings the emotional heart of flamenco to life. Driving the performance forward is Julian Ticotico on percussion, whose masterful rhythms create an electrifying energy that fills every corner of the stage. Art of Andalucia is a rich cultural experience that transcends borders—bringing the fire, rhythm and emotion of southern Spain to audiences far beyond its homeland. Don’t miss this exhilarating celebration of music and dance, performed by one of the UK’s most exciting flamenco ensembles. ‘Art of Andalucia’ by the Daniel Martinez Flamenco Company comes to Bradford Cathedral on Friday 16th May 2025 at 7:30pm. Tickets can be booked at https://danielmartinezflamenco.com/shop/events/art-of-andalucia-flamenco-dance-bradford-cathedral-bradford-16th-may-2025-730pm/
