Emma Clayton

A photo-led retrospective revisits Bradford-area pupils receiving GCSE and A-level results in the 1990s, featuring students from Carlton Bolling, Hanson, Rhodesway Upper, Thornton Upper and Bradford Grammar School. The gallery invites readers to recognize people pictured and reflect on what they may be doing decades later.

TV chef Ainsley Harriott visited Morrisons stores in Yorkshire as part of the “Where’s Ainsley?” tour, sharing affordable recipe ideas and samples from his couscous range. He encouraged shoppers to cook ahead, reduce energy use and experiment with ingredients beyond their usual choices. The campaign offered prizes, including £100 Morrisons vouchers, while Ainsley Foods pledged £3,000 worth of food in each region for local food banks and community organizations. Harriott also helped prepare dinner at Martin House Children’s Hospice and praised its facilities and catering staff.

Faye Tozer discusses playing the mothers of Regina and Cady as well as Ms Norbury in the touring production of Mean Girls at Bradford’s Alhambra Theatre. She reflects on her transition from Steps to musical theatre, growing confidence at 50, maintaining her health while performing, and her ambitions to take on more serious roles. Tozer also advocates for regional theatres, emphasizing their cultural and economic importance, and says the show’s message about authenticity resonates with her experiences of being dismissed as uncool.

A photo-led feature presents historic images of Burnsall, including village races, early vehicles, the Scott Trial, haymaking, traditional trades, local hotels and shops. The photographs come from Alan Stockdale’s book, “Burnsall in Old Photographs,” which documents the Yorkshire Dales village’s past and is available for purchase.

Emma Clayton humorously describes her inability to resist souvenir shops during holidays, particularly in Malaga and at airports. Although she recognizes that many purchases are impractical, tacky or quickly lose their appeal at home, she ultimately values them as tangible reminders of holidays, short breaks and day trips.

Whitby Lit Fest will run from November 19 to 22 with more than 50 events featuring authors, broadcasters, actors, historians, poets and performers. The programme includes headline appearances by John Boyne, Ann Cleeves, Greta Scacchi, Si King, Joanne Harris, Mark Billingham, Corinne Bailey Rae and Dr Sian Williams, alongside sessions on crime writing, gothic fiction, travel, history, food, television and children's literature. The festival will also offer workshops, publishing panels, masterclasses, live music and family events, with organisers aiming to establish it as a lasting part of Whitby's cultural calendar.

Photographs by the late Jerry Smith document Bradford city centre in the early 1970s, during extensive demolition and rebuilding. The images show locations including Tyrrel Street, John Street, Morley Street, the Kirkgate Centre, the old Exchange Station and Bradford Central Library, with captions identifying dates and landmarks.

Patsy Kensit is returning to Emmerdale as scheming former villager Sadie King, 20 years after first playing the character. Kensit says Sadie remains deceptive and ambitious but may reveal a more vulnerable, humorous side, while producer Laura Shaw promises that the reason for her return is one of the King family's biggest secrets. The storyline will intersect with major plots involving Charity, Dawn, Sarah, Serena and Gabby, bringing new alliances, revived feuds and significant upheaval to the village.

Emma Clayton reflects nostalgically on spending largely unstructured summer holidays outdoors in 1970s Northowram and argues that boredom can foster children’s creativity, independence and resourcefulness. She suggests that parents should avoid constantly entertaining children, while acknowledging that phones and tablets make limiting screen time more difficult. A survey commissioned by Hornby found that 89% of parents and grandparents want to pass hobbies on to children aged 10–16, and Hornby’s Create & Connect Starter Pack is presented as one way to encourage hands-on activities and family engagement.

Bradford-born magician Dynamo, whose real name is Steven Frayne, is preparing to bring his interactive show Up Close and Magical to Bradford Playhouse from March 2–7, 2027. The show will draw on his street-magic roots and include close audience interaction. Dynamo discusses his career, childhood hardship, bullying and long-term Crohn's disease and arthritis, explaining how magic helped him cope and how he has recently returned to performing with renewed confidence. The piece also previews Dynamo Vs Houdini, a Sky and NOW special in which he will attempt to escape from a straightjacket while locked inside a burning car suspended 100 feet above New York.

Sushi HomeTown, a family-oriented business established in 2020, serves freshly prepared Japanese and Nepalese cuisine at Unit 67 of Darley Street Market in Bradford. Budhi Man Rai explains that the business employs six staff, prepares its food on-site, and aims to combine Nepalese hospitality with Japanese culinary traditions. The restaurant views its involvement in Darley Street Market and the Taste:BD initiative as important to its connection with Bradford’s diverse food culture and plans to expand awareness of its cuisine while maintaining a friendly, community-focused atmosphere.

Comedian Alan Davies is returning to nationwide touring after a decade with his new stand-up show, Think Ahead. The show draws on aging, health concerns, parenthood, physical ailments and the shared experiences of audiences in their 40s and 50s. Davies says he enjoys connecting with audiences in different towns and finding humor in everyday life, while promising a shorter performance suitable for older viewers. He will perform at St George’s Hall in Bradford on October 7.

A survey commissioned by Echo Falls suggests that 73% of women under 30 are abandoning handbags on nights out, storing phones, cards, keys and cosmetics in their bras instead. Echo Falls has responded with a Carry-All bra top featuring pockets, clips and drink-holding inserts, modeled by GK Barry. The trend reflects broader Gen Z preferences for comfort and convenience, while older generations remain more attached to handbags. The columnist acknowledges the practicality of going hands-free but firmly defends handbags as useful, personal accessories and symbols of style.

A revived Opera North production of The Sound of Music delivers a visually striking and emotionally rich staging, enhanced by strong performances from Katie Bird and Edward Bennett and standout musical moments from the chorus and orchestra. Set design featuring Harewood Estate trees reinforces themes of nature and escape, while scenes depicting the Nazi threat underscore the story’s tension. Supporting cast members earn praise for depth and energy, and the production is celebrated as a faithful yet refreshing interpretation of the classic musical.

Cast members of the touring production of Jersey Boys describe preparing for their roles as the musical marks its 20th anniversary, highlighting the Four Seasons’ history, demanding vocal and performance elements, and the strengths of the show’s storytelling. The actors discuss their personal connections to the music, the challenges of portraying real musicians, and the enduring appeal that has kept the production successful worldwide. Jersey Boys will run at the Alhambra Theatre from July 20 to August 1.

Recounting a childhood disinterest in football, the piece contrasts past attitudes with the strong enthusiasm surrounding England’s current World Cup involvement. Schools are now actively participating in celebrations, with some adjusting schedules as many children stayed up late to watch England’s match against Mexico. While noting the drawbacks of late‑night viewing on attendance, the commentary highlights how international tournaments boost youth engagement in sport, foster national morale and inspire future players, even as the writer maintains only a casual attachment to football.

A new play titled Hats, Gloves and Hierarchies, focused on Victorian-era Saltaire figures Catherine Salt and Gregory the butler, will premiere at the Bradford Heritage Festival. Written and performed by heritage actress Joanne Crowther and Adrian Slater, the production explores social dynamics surrounding the 1887 royal visit to Saltaire. The festival also features a commemorative walking tour led by Crowther in character as suffragette Nell Kenney, marking the 150th anniversary of Kenney’s birth. Subsidised tickets supported by Arts Council England make the events widely accessible.

OMD delivered an energetic and nostalgic Summer of Hits performance at Bradford Live, blending classic 1980s material with newer songs and strong visuals. Andy McCluskey led the show with dynamic stage presence, while Paul Humphreys, Stuart Kershaw and Martin Cooper contributed to a polished and emotional set. The concert featured fan favourites, deep cuts and encore highlights, earning an enthusiastic response from the Bradford audience.

Bradford Arts Centre is launching an autumn and winter season featuring two major South Asian productions in collaboration with Kala Sangam Global. The programme includes Sangeet Yatra, showcasing leading Indian classical musicians and dancers, and the Kathakali UK Tour, presented by the Kala Chethena Kathakali Company. The centre, recently redeveloped with support from cultural and heritage funders, continues its role as a regional hub for South Asian and contemporary performance, offering artist development, community programmes and new facilities that support creative work across Bradford.

David Gray delivered a two-hour career-spanning set at Piece Hall, blending classics with newer work and engaging the crowd through energetic performance and sing-along moments. The Divine Comedy opened the show with a witty, well-received selection of songs led by Neil Hannon. The event continued the TK Maxx presents Live At The Piece Hall summer series, which features multiple upcoming concerts.

Penelope Keith is celebrated for defining portrayals of British suburban snobbery, particularly through her roles as Margo Leadbetter in The Good Life and Audrey fforbes-Hamilton in To The Manor Born. Her character Margo is described as both imperious and generous, embodying the contradictions that made her beloved. The piece reflects on Keith’s ability to make socially ambitious, haughty characters endearing, while also connecting the writer’s own memories of a similarly snobbish grandmother. Keith’s influence on British television comedy is highlighted, with praise from BBC Comedy noting her lasting cultural impact.

Bradford Theatres has announced a wide-ranging autumn season across its venues, featuring major musicals, dance productions, drama, comedy and family shows. Highlights include new stagings of Gentleman Jack, Sunset Boulevard, Burlesque, Mean Girls and The Silence of the Lambs, along with returning favourites such as Mamma Mia! and the annual pantomime Peter Pan. Additional programming spans tributes, concerts, stand-up comedy and special events with notable guests including Tim Peake and Alice Roberts, offering a packed schedule aimed at diverse audiences.

A new staging of The Sound of Music by Opera North, directed by Nikolai Foster, opens at Leeds Grand Theatre with Katie Bird as Maria and Edward Bennett as Captain von Trapp. Both performers reflect on their inspirations, the challenges of taking on iconic roles, and the production’s mix of family-friendly storytelling and darker historical themes. The show offers accessible ticket options and inclusive performances, running from July 9 to August 1.

A new UK tour of The Full Monty will visit Bradford’s Alhambra Theatre, featuring Kevin Clifton in the lead role and marking the story’s 30th anniversary. Written by Simon Beaufoy, the production revisits themes of working‑class struggle, identity and resilience while blending humour with issues such as unemployment, mental health and fathers’ rights. The play is presented as both comedic and emotionally resonant, maintaining contemporary relevance amid ongoing economic pressures.

A new exhibition at Bradford Police Museum explores the development of 19th‑century policing in Bradford, highlighting the duties of early constables, key historical events such as Chartist unrest, and the evolving relationship between police and the public. Featuring original artifacts and immersive displays, the exhibition was researched and curated by a volunteer team as part of the Collections in Focus programme, which aims to build curatorial skills and strengthen community involvement. The project reflects the museum’s broader commitment to volunteer development and public engagement, and is available to view during guided tours until late September.

A new stage adaptation of Silence of the Lambs is coming to Bradford’s Alhambra Theatre, featuring soap actors Mollie Gallagher as Clarice Starling, Oliver Farnworth as Jack Crawford, John Partridge as Hannibal Lecter and Sam Jackson as Buffalo Bill. Adapted by Gina Gionfriddo from Thomas Harris’s novel, the production emphasizes the psychological tension between Starling and Lecter as the FBI hunts a serial killer. Cast members’ television and theatre backgrounds are highlighted, and the production runs October 12–17.