Organisers of Positive Bradford event check out the weather (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Organisers of Positive Bradford event check out the weather

8:00am Sunday 10th February 2013 in News By Dolores Cowburn, Bradford Chief Reporter

Organisers of Positive Bradford are taking no chances of a washout event this year having checked the weather forecast for the last 20 years before setting a date.

Heavy rain and strong winds failed to dampen the enthusiasm of hundreds of people who turned out to celebrate Positive Bradford Day in Centenary Square last June.

But marquees flying around and acts performing on a dangerously slippery stage meant the event was called to a halt early on health and safety grounds as the winds threatened the stability of stalls and tents.

The third event will be held on Saturday, September 21, because it is forecast to be a sunny day, based on previous years, and the weekend means hopefully more families and visitors to the City Park event.

Last year’s event included 45 market stalls, a food marquee and live entertainment from school choirs, street dance artists, dohl drummers and bollywood dancers. More of the same is promised this year.

Jane Vincent, co-founder of Positive Bradford, a not-for-profit voluntary group and now a registered company, said: “Marquees may have been flying about, but despite that people still turned up.

“But this year we have actually been a bit more strategic and someone has looked at the weather for the last 20 years to see when the best weather is likely to be.”

The day is reliant on volunteers and companies giving their time for free.

A new initiative has been created called the 365 Club, in conjunction with Participate, an organisation that helps communities to access volunteers from businesses, where local people with a skill are being asked to donate their time throughout the year.

“It means every day someone would go out and volunteer their professional services for free,” Miss Vincent said.

An Apprentice-type challenge will also be created the week before where teams are given a shopping list of items to get that will be auctioned on Positive Bradford Day.

Cash raised from the auction will go towards the 200 Club, a partnership project with the Bradford District Community Fund, and some cash will go towards the charity of the winning team’s choice.

For details on getting involved with Positive Bradford call Jane Vincent on 07767 797555.