From wool mills to moorland walks, a new exhibition at Bradford Cathedral is stitching together what it really means to be from Bradford. If you’ve ever felt a deep connection to a place because of your childhood memories, favourite landscapes, or just the feel of the air, you’ll understand what the artists behind this exhibition are trying to share.
Stitching the story of a city
From 12th May to 20th June 2025, the Airedale Stitchers group is showcasing ‘Our Bradford’ – a textile art exhibition that tells personal stories about life in and around the Bradford District. It’s part of the Cathedral’s ‘Weaving Stories’ season, which celebrates the city’s heritage with a spotlight on the wool trade and the role it’s played over the last 1,400 years. That’s older than most castles in the UK!
The whole season runs through to September 2025, but this exhibition is kicking things off in style. If you like fabric, history, or just beautiful artwork that feels deeply local, this one’s worth your time.
What’s in the exhibition?
Thirty-five textile artworks will be displayed inside the Cathedral, hanging from its huge stone pillars. Each one captures a different slice of Bradford life—a memory, a landmark, or just a feeling about home. They’re stitched using a mix of techniques like applique, patchwork, and both hand and machine embroidery.
Here are a few places you’ll spot stitched into the fabric:
- Bingley Five Rise Locks – think steep canal steps with a history of trade.
- The Wool Exchange – a majestic reminder of Bradford’s textile roots.
- Ilkley’s Cow and Calf rocks – if you’ve climbed them, you’ll know!
- Haworth Moor – the Brontë sisters’ old stomping ground.
- Bradford Cathedral – it’s more than just the venue; it’s part of the story too.
And just to make it even more special, there’ll be interpretation boards and a guide explaining the inspiration behind each piece.
Behind the hoops: who are the stitchers?
Airedale Stitchers isn’t just a name—it’s a real community. They meet weekly in Eldwick, stitching in a relaxed setting and encouraging anyone who wants to give it a go. The group has roots going back to 1991 when they were part of the Embroiderers’ Guild, and they became independent during the pandemic.
Helen Barnes, one of the members, summed up the project beautifully:
“Our starting point was thinking about what makes Bradford home for us… 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.”
These aren’t just pretty pictures—they’re stitched diaries. From childhood memories to the buzz of market days, every piece shares a feeling someone’s carried with them for years.
A warm welcome (and free entry)
A special launch event is happening on Thursday 15th May from 2–4pm. It’s open to everyone and, yes, it’s free. You can reserve your spot at the Cathedral’s website:
https://bradfordcathedral.churchsuite.com/events/mlxjdzqj
After that, you can pop in any time between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Saturday. Just be sure to check the Cathedral’s website in case there’s a service or another event on.
Want to stay connected?
If you can’t make it in person, you can still get a glimpse of the work online. Photos of the stitchers and their creations will be shared via the Bradford Cathedral website and social media. And if you fancy joining the Airedale Stitchers or finding out more about their projects, they’re easy to find on Facebook and Instagram.
It’s easy to walk past buildings like Bradford Cathedral without a second thought. But step inside this time, and you’ll see it filled with colour, memory, and thread—literally. ‘Our Bradford’ isn’t just a tribute to the past; it’s a living, stitched map of what home means today.
