A FASCINATING glimpse of Bradford’s hidden underground beck was made possible to a steady stream of visitors in the city centre as they took part in a trail marking its route.

The event today organised through the Friends of Bradford Becks coincided with World Rivers Day and presented the final set of stone plaques in the pavement.

It was also an opportunity to announce the winner of a listening sculpture competition where artists were invited to design a piece of artwork which will allow people to listen to the beck through tubes drilled down throughout the pavement. It will be placed in Tyrell Street.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Geoff Reid, presented winning artist Alex Blakey, of Slaithwaite, with her £2,000 prize.

Sonja Kielty, curator of exhibitions for Bradford Council and who was one of the judges said: “There was an absolute variety of materials, design, influence and character from the entrants. Glass and stone won out in the end and for good reason. Alex Blakey is a new, emerging artist who has brought something quite exciting to the table.”

Ms Blakey said: “I have always been inspired by local history and hidden spaces so the chance to explore the history of the beck has been really interesting.”

Barney Lerner, Friends chairman added: “Alex’s winning entry has a mix of media that will bring an innovative, contemporary sculpture to the city centre.”

Other activities in Centenary Square included the Wild Trout Trust whose representatives demonstrated fly casting in the mirror pool.

The Riverfly Partnership has a stand to show some of the bugs that live in the beck and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust was there to explain about the native and alien plants that live alongside it.

Nicola Hoggart, for the Environment Agency, was giving demonstrations of how heavy rainfall can cause flooding through a 3D model of a reservoir and low-lying flood plains.

“There have been quite a lot of people taking an interest, especially children who like working models and who are eager to suggest ways to prevent flooding,” she said.

There was also music, poetry and stories, with Eddie Lawler, the Bard of Saltaire, while Steve Bottoms of Multi-Story-Water collected people’s stories about the beck.

Planning permission will now be sought from Bradford Council for the £30,000 project and an application for an Arts Council grant to finalise the design and construct it.

The designer will also work with local children to design the covers for the earpieces.