Art and nature are being celebrated later this month in a city that is still clearly revelling in its success as a City of Culture. Steve Teale reports.

It was, by all accounts, a successful year when Bradford was declared UK City of Culture in 2025.

Now, Bradford Culture Company, the charity that delivered the city’s year in the spotlight, is building on that legacy by celebrating its artistic links with nature and bringing world-class experiences to the district’s green spaces.

Celebrating the relationship between people, place and nature, the programme invites communities to experience culture beyond traditional venues and explore its moorland and countryside.

placeholder image — Writer and poet Kristina Diprose

From October 24 to November 1, the outcomes of a three-month-long Artists in Nature residency programme will be unveiled, with events and activities open to the public to shine a creative light on the Bradford Pennine Gateway National Nature Reserve.

Ranging from live music, a photography exhibition, poetry and a film screening, play readings and audio experiences to land art, creative walks and stained glass workshops.

Ten of Bradford’s filmmakers, illustrators, poets, playwrights, musicians, photographers and glassmakers have been inspired by the distinct environments of the National Nature Reserve and their ecological importance.

Matt Ingham-Dempster will unveil a new interactive photography exhibition on October 24, which can be accessed across Bingley North Bog by using QR codes, whilst musician shi Blank will perform a live set using the sounds of the bog with their band Gilank on October 25, where the audience will be asked to wear headphones to experience it in all its glory.

Artist Claire Rookes will lead a land-art trail on October 31 at St Ives and Harden Moor, and playwright Emma Adams has created a new work that will be performed at both locations, ‘script-in-hand’, by herself and also by the audience between October 29 and 30.

At Penistone Hill, writer and poet Kristina Diprose has created an audio-walk where audiences will be guided by characters and told stories of the land.

Filmmaker John Slemensek-Thorne has created a new short film inspired by the atmospheric reserve and will run a family-friendly nature walk on October 28. Both the film and audio walk will premiere at West Lane Baptist Centre on October 26th.

Inspired by Shipley Glen and Baildon Moor, artist and maker Rebekah Whitney has created an immersive and experimental sound exploration of the area taking place on October 24 and 25, whilst stained-glass artist Samantha Yates has created a stunning new herbarium drawn from the folklore of the location and will run workshops at Bracken Hall on October 27 and 28.

Jenny Harris, Director of Programme at Bradford Culture Company, said: “Bradford is home to extraordinary natural spaces, and this autumn we’re inviting people to experience them through the eyes of artists, makers and performers.

"Audiences will have the chance to connect with nature in inspiring and memorable ways, discovering new creative work inspired by our moorlands and wetlands. These events celebrate the role culture can play in bringing people together.”

To see the full programme of events and book tickets, visit bradfordculture.co.uk