Cover photos top & middle by Salt Pixels
Our Bradford District 2000-2050
Past events and future prospects
by Peter Nias and Mollie Somerville
“In a world where cities often wrestle with their identity and future, this book stands as both a reflection and a rallying cry for Bradford. Crossing generations and time, it invites readers on a journey of understanding, resilience, and aspiration. This work is not just a chronicle of events; it is a vivid tapestry of challenges met and opportunities seized, of communities coming together, and of individuals dreaming big for the place they call home.
Dive in, and let this remarkable journey inspire you to think about the role you can play in shaping the next chapter of Bradford. The future is ours to create—let’s make it extraordinary.”
John Wright - Director, Born in Bradford
Published in 2025, this 136pp book, with 97 illustrations, is an intriguing review of the last twenty five years of the wider Bradford District, and with some hopes and aspirations of a range of residents for the next twenty five years.
Its purpose is to inform, stimulate debate, and to encourage local people to learn from the immediate past and create a better future. We hope residents, old and new, will find things of interest.
It has been written by two local residents. It was not commissioned nor influenced by any organisation whether political, academic, appointed, business or religious, either from within or outside the District.
While much has been written, and well illustrated, on the Bradford District's proud history of the 19th and 20th centuries, this work considers both our more recent 21st century events and, using residents' ideas and aspirations, considers some future prospects.
It covers population, religions, health & wellbeing, the environment & climate, culture & entertainment and considers the riding of our rollercoaster.
“As a young mum I think it is particularly important to read a book which helps to look forward to the future of the District. I want my child to grow and live in a place of hope and expectation, and to meet and experience life with a wide range of other people - of all ages and cultures.”
Wardah Khan - Bradford Resident
The book costs £8 plus postage & packing, totalling £10.10. To purchase the book please click below to pay by card.
For cheques or inquiries please email PeterNias@aol.com or m.somerville@phonecoop.coop to arrange mailing addresses.
The proceeds will be going to Bradford Nightstop (which provides emergency accommodation for 16-25 year-olds).
Available now.
About the authors
Mollie Somerville has lived, volunteered and worked in Bradford for most of her 77 years. She was born in a nursing home in Queen’s Road, Manningham and now lives in Lister Mills. She went to RC schools and taught at Manningham Middle School and Feversham College as well as teaching adults at Bradford College. She has been a campaigner and activist about climate justice for many years and has taken part in non-violent direct action recently. She has written a children’s story book about Lister’s Mill and she has co-authored, with Peter Nias, a book on Manningham and a report on the Residents of the Bradford District from around the World.
Peter Nias has lived in Bradford since 2000. He was previously an economic and social researcher first in Telford and then in Namibia. He came to Bradford at the turn of the millennium to run The Peace Museum in the city. He was formerly an Honorary Visiting Research Fellow in Peace Studies at Bradford University and wrote a book ‘The Zeus Complex’ on human rights in conflict. He has co-authored, with Mollie Somerville, a book on Manningham and a report on the Residents of the Bradford District from around the World.