Bradford in West Yorkshire is the UK City of Culture in 2025 and the designation is intended to drive regeneration of the district through cultural activities.

Alongside the mainstream programme of events is a series of private initiatives, of which BRADFORDIANA is one. Its launch is intended to fill what I believe is a gap in the promotion of the Bradford district.

I am an amateur photographer who enjoys taking photos of Bradford, the city in which I grew up and where I live. I am interested in its history, for example as a booming industrial frontier town in the nineteenth century that had its own vibrant culture and - surprising as it may sound today - a reputation for sporting excellence.

There is no disguising that Bradford has its modern day challenges but this is a small scale personal project to do what I can to encourage positive impressions of the place that I call home. The Victorians described the same sentiments as local patriotism. Irrespective, every resident in the district has a vested interest in Bradford’s regeneration.

BRADFORDIANA is an A5 zine publication to promote interest in Bradford as a place for photography, showcase the diversity of subject matter available as well as to provide a historic record for the future. I was also keen for this to be a physical publication as distinct from digital. Issues will be between 36 and 44 pages in size.

**A 'zine' is a non-commercial, independent publication that is typically a printed, paper product. The subject matter is whatever you want it to be. Needless to say, a photo 'zine has photographic content and in the current era they are remarkably popular, an antidote to the plethora of digital media.

Each issue will feature contemporary photographs in both colour and monotone based around a specific theme with images selected from my own archive. The project is a not-for-profit initiative with the objective being to recover costs and there will be no advertising or promotion of commercial interests.

I am not pretending that my photos are prize-winning material but hopefully they show what sort of photographic opportunities exist in the Bradford district. If that inspires interest in Bradford or encourages others to do something similar or better then that is the measure of success.

I am producing 12 issues at roughly three week intervals through to the end of 2025 and will take it from there. The cover price is £3.00 (£4.60 including postage).

Release dates are as shown on the listings in the shop section.

Subscriptions are available to get savings on postage costs for multiple orders. A subscription will also ensure delivery ahead of formal release dates (ie despatch as soon as copies printed).

You can get the latest copy of BRADFORDIANA at Bradford’s premier coffee shop - Tiffin Coffee (Wool Exchange, 22 Bank Street BRADFORD BD1 1PR) which is open between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday inclusive.

Click the link to read the feature published in the Telegraph & Argus on 25th May, 2025

Updates on Twitter: @jpdewhirst

Thanks for your interest!

John Dewhirst

BRADFORDIANA  PO Box 307 SHIPLEY BD18 9BT

May, 2025