Odsal memories saved for future

The Bradford Bulls Foundation has been awarded almost 200,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund to support its new project Past Times.

The money will see the West Yorkshire Archives Service and Huddersfield University work with the foundation to provide a three-year heritage project focusing on Odsal Stadium's key role in the sporting, cultural and social history of Bradford between its construction in 1934 and 1966.

Chairman of the Bradford Bulls Foundation, Ryan Duckett, said: "This award by the Heritage Lottery Fund will allow us to provide a valuable and unique resource to be enjoyed by current and future citizens of Bradford and the wider community across West Yorkshire."

The project will offer volunteering and learning opportunities for people of all ages, and help save the wealth of memorabilia and archive material housed at the stadium. Local people including school children, university students and history societies will be involved in the project documenting historical artifacts, learning archiving techniques and recording memories in relation to the stadium's history.

Heritage events and stadium tours will be held for up to 50 schools in the area during the first two years of the project.

Staff and volunteers will be trained in environmental control and conservation techniques.

The project will also produce a book, website, DVD and displays at the stadium for wider audiences to learn about the importance of Bradford's much-loved historical sporting venue.

Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund for the Yorkshire and the Humber region Fiona Spiers said: "Odsal Stadium has very strong links with the local community and this project will strengthen them further by engaging people in its fascinating history.

"People from across the community will be able to volunteer, learn new skills, and play a part in protecting this special slice of their local history for future generations to come."

Recognised by the project partners and Bradford Industrial Museum, Bradford Library Service and Yorkshire Film Archive as being of significant heritage importance, the stadium's lesser- known story played a key role within the social fabric of the community between 1934 and 1966.

Traditionally known as one Britain's top homes of Rugby League, the stadium also played host to a wide variety of other sports from cricket to motorcycle speedway, baseball to horse jumping.

During the Second World War it was also a vital lynchpin of the war effort, home to Dig for Britain, the Air Raid Communications Centre for the North of England, as well as a venue for key community events such as religious festivals and coronation pageants.

West Yorkshire Archive Service chief officer Graham Hebblethwaite said: "We are delighted to be able to offer our archive conservation department's specialist skills to support the Past Times project. Expert staff will be assisting and training volunteers at the Bradford Bulls Foundation using the latest archival materials and environmental monitoring equipment to protect the collection for the future."

Past Times will start in the autumn and the Bradford Bulls Foundation would like to hear from anyone who would like to become involved as a volunteer in the project.