History
The Community Foundation Heritage Projects
The Rugby League Heritage Project
Following a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Rugby League Heritage project was started in 2005 and our mission was the sourcing, collecting, copying, cataloguing, preserving and archiving of historical information about the global community of Rugby League Football. Our unique website (http://www.rugbyleagueheritageproject.com/ ) is used as a vehicle to publish more historical information about the game and its heritage than could ever be found in any single physical location anywhere on the planet. The project has collated a total of 34 catalogued photographic albums that depict the great history of both Bradford Northern and Rugby League. These albums are currently in the care of Bradford Central Library's Local Studies Department and are available to view there upon request.
In 2008 we began to come to the end of the funded part of the project and have archived 1000's of artefacts pertaining in particular to Odsal Stadium, Bradford Northern and Bradford Bulls but other items in respect of various other sporting activities and the Bradford Community as whole have also been collected. A major exhibition, a book and DVD were produced and numerous activities involving local schools and other community groups have taken place.
Following the end of HLF funding this work continues through the good offices of volunteers.
The Past Times Project
As a result of another successful bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund and support from Sovereign Health Care and the Garfield Weston Foundation, in July of 2010 the Foundation launched its new heritage initiative, The Past Times Project.
In partnership with West Yorkshire Archive Service, the Yorkshire Film Archive and Bradford Museums and Libraries Service, the initiative aims to gather in and conserve the wealth of memorabilia connected with sporting and other events at the stadium, particularly in the period 1934 to 1966, beyond its traditionally recognised role as the home of senior rugby league in the city.
Odsal has been the venue for a large number of events including such diverse activity as cricket, motorcycle speedway, stock car racing, baseball, basket ball, horse jumping, dog shows, ladies soccer, tennis, association football and religious festivals.
The project aims to document this activity and importantly record the memories of local people involved in these events either as participants or spectators.
This valuable oral history will involve young and old from across the community and the project will work closely with schools, local history societies and other interested parties.
We are currently trying to source artefacts, photographs or even film of any historical events that took place or were staged at Odsal as well as those listed above.
Book reading
Since the start of Super league the Bulls Community Department has published 5 stories featuring the Bulls' mascots, Bullman and Bullboy. These cover moral tales suitable for Key Stage 1 children, a safety book for both Key Stages and two Heritage based books which can also be used by both Key stage 1 and 2 for listening and also as a basis for story writing.
Bulls at the ‘Top'
On the first Wednesday of every month the Heritage Department hold a free film night and quiz plus supper at the Top House pub at Odsal. We are available to all social organisations for Heritage film and quiz nights. If you'd like to organise such an evening please contact John Downes or Martin Bass, Heritage Officers at the Bulls.
To book any of these activities please contact John or Martin on 08448 711 490 (option 6) or email john.downes@bradfordbulls.co.uk or martin.bass@bradfordbulls.co.uk