Bradford schoolchildren reveal hidden history on heritage trails (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford schoolchildren reveal hidden history on heritage trails

9:00pm Thursday 1st November 2012 in News By Emma Clayton, Leisure and Lifestyle Editor

What have Richard III, Kiki Dee, Wild Willi Beckett and Everest climber Maurice Wilson got in common?

They all come from, or have connections to, West Bowling, Great Horton and Little Horton.

The hidden history of the areas is being explored in heritage trails devised by more than 600 Bradford schoolchildren.

The quirky trails have been put together over the past year by youngsters from 11 primary schools and are now going on display. They include weird and wonderful facts, not least famous names linked to the areas.

Among them are Pocahontas, Richard III, false messiah John “Prophet” Wroe, singers Kiki Dee and Tasmin Archer, actress Emilia Fox, Monster Raving Loony Party Minister Wild Willi Beckett, cricketers Bob Appleyard and Moin Ashraf, Look North presenter Harry Gration and Joseph Hobson Jagger, known as “the man who broke the bank at Monte Carlo”, who won the equivalent of around £1 million in 1875 after devising a system to beat the roulette wheel. He’s said to have honed his skills working as a mechanic in textile mills.

Local historian Malcolm Hanson, who worked with the children on the trails, said they reflect youngsters’ interest in unusual aspects of history. “It’s not just about historic buildings. The children have looked into myths, legends and ancient history, for instance the influence on Bradford of Cartimandua, Queen of the Brigantes, who fought against the Roman invasion, the Civil War period and the Bradford Siege, and the Victorians who learned how to ‘promenade’ in Bowling and Horton parks,” said Mr Hanson.

“Apart from famous people and events, the trails touch on the 18th century Bowling Windmill, Newhill Hall, the site of ancient Neville Hall – the family Richard III came from – Bolling Hall and the notorious Horton workhouse. Peppered among these are stone trees, monuments, gravestones, even fairies.”

The idea came about in 2002 when Mr Hanson worked with pupils at Oakbank School on a walk for the Keighley Walking for Health Group. They created the Oakbank Trail, a heritage walk for the school and other school heritage trails followed. “It became obvious that the formula of walking and investigating new routes was a big hit with children,” said Mr Hanson.

The West Bowling, Great Horton and Little Horton heritage trails are on display at St Stephen’s Church, West Bowling, on Monday from 1pm to 3.30pm and on Tuesday and Wednesday, from 10am to 3.30pm.