Bradford & District | Archive | 2001 | January | 27
From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Saturday 27th Jan 2001.
Historian Andrew Bolt is so passionate about Bradford's heritage that he wants to open a city-centre museum.
The 29-year-old, of Allerton, has spent most of his life hoarding Bradford memorabilia and boasts a collection of about 7,500 historical items.
He is appealing for support in setting up a Bradford Heritage and Research Centre and has drawn up plans to convert the former Odeon cinema.
The museum would feature a variety of galleries, including:
l wartime Bradford
l Bradford retail arena with the possibility of a re-created street scene
l years of transport in Bradford
l history of Bradford City and Bradford Bulls.
"There would also be a room dedicated to Bradford's Moments in Time which would feature front pages of the Telegraph & Argus," he said. An area dedicated to the city's industrial heritage would show photographs and documents from the district's mills, including a 1935 album of staff at the former Britannia Mills in Nelson Street.
Mr Bolt has created mobile displays - which have included badges, maps, buttons, letter heads, diaries and a Victorian magic lantern - for City Hall's annual open days for the past decade.
"If I can't use the Odeon, I would still be interested in a city centre location and will be applying for Lottery money to fund it," he added.
The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Stanley King, who is a keen local historian, said: "It's just what we need in Bradford and I'm sure there would be a lot of interest."
Steve Curry, Bradford Council's principal officer for arts and museums for Bradford district, said he was keen to talk to Mr Bolt about his ideas.
Alex Munro, of Knight Frank in Leeds which represents the developers of the Odeon, said the site was earmarked for a commercial development
"His ideas sound interesting and we would like to discuss them with Mr Bolt," he said.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008