Tracking Bradford’s History: A Tour of Youth-Led Heritage

History In The Making Bus Tour

We spent a day touring Bradford by bus, but we weren't looking at the usual tourist spots. Instead, we were visiting the new place markers created by young people for the History in the Making project.

The goal of the tour was simple: see how different youth groups have interpreted Bradford’s heritage and find out what stories they think are worth telling.

From Digital Maps to Intergenerational Stories

We started at Bolton Woods Community Centre with our Allstar group. We’ve built an interactive digital map that’s more about feeling than just facts. It’s a collection of poems and songs tied to specific locations—a creative way to show how a place can stick in your memory.

Next, we caught up with the Bangladeshi Youth Organisation (BYO). Their work focused on the lived experience of the city’s Bangladeshi community. By interviewing elders and turning those memories into place markers, they’ve created a permanent record of stories that often go undocumented.

New Perspectives on Local Landmarks

At the Industrial Museum, Summit Creative took a different approach. They built a model of an industrial mill but used it to highlight a specific, overlooked history: the roles people with learning disabilities played during the Industrial Revolution. It’s interactive, uses QR codes for extra content, and forces you to look at Bradford’s textile history from a new angle.

Finally, we hit the Shipley Tramway to see Moor Time’s work. They’ve installed an interactive board right on-site that lets visitors dig into the history of the tramway while they’re standing on it. It’s a smart, practical way to weave history into a popular public walk.

The Value of Youth-Led Projects

This day was a clear reminder of why it’s worth letting young people take the lead. When you give them the tools to explore their own heritage, you don’t just get a history lesson—you get a fresh perspective on the city we all live in.

We’re proud of the work these groups, volunteers, and project teams have put in. They haven't just learned about the past; they’ve left their own mark on Bradford’s map.