Festival to reveal district's 'remarkable history'

Victorian carnival games, a 17th Century dance class and a lime mortar workshop will all be held in Bradford as part of this year's Heritage Open Days, it has been revealed.

During England's largest festival of history and culture, people will be able to explore rarely seen historic buildings across the district, and take part in at least 30 free events between 11-20 September.

Darley Street Market, Cliffe Castle Museum and Bradford Industrial Museum are among the venues due to host exhibitions and workshops.

Councillor Ian Walker said it was "a fantastic opportunity for people to discover the remarkable history, culture and heritage" of Bradford.

At Darley Street Market on 12 September, visitors will be given the opportunity to play historic games such as table quoits, roll-a-coin and ball-in-a-bucket, led by a Victorian carnival host.

On 20 September, a film exploring the history of Pennine Cycles, a Bradford bike maker and shop established in 1946, will be on display at the market, as well as an exhibition of historic bicycles and archive photographs.

On 23 September, a workshop focused on repointing with lime mortar will be held at the venue by a Dewsbury-based building materials supplier.

The Brontë Birthplace in Thornton, Bradford, will also be free to visitors on 13 September, with an exhibition exploring the history of the building and telling what happened after the sisters later moved to Haworth Parsonage in 1820.

In Keighley, visitors will be able to find out the stories of local clubs, games and hobbies at Cliffe Castle Museum on 13 September.

A celebration of traditional skills will also take place on 20 September at Bradford Industrial Museum, led by craftspeople who keep the traditions alive today.

Blacksmith workshops will be held at Dobson Locks in Apperley Bridge on 16 and 17 September, led by volunteers from the Canal & River Trust.

Meanwhile, Bradford's Mechanics Institute will hold a series of events, including a presentation from Akbal Singh Kang, who arrived in Britain from Pakistan aged 11 in 1961, and a historical dance workshop teaching 17th Century dances.

Walker said: "The festival allows people to explore places they may never have visited before, learn more about the stories that have shaped our communities and celebrate the people, traditions and cultures that continue to make our district unique."

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