A CELEBRATION of Bradford’s Oastler Market begins this week, with a new exhibition and the first of two packed days of events.

For the past several months local artists have been working with market traders and members of the public to document the market’s history and prepare for the We Are Here events.

Local arts group Wur Bradford have curated two afternoons of tours, art, entertainment and activities inspired by – and in partnership with – the traders of Oastler Market.

The first will be held this Saturday, followed by another on Saturday April 28.

Kala Sangam arts centre will also host an exhibition bringing together the stories they have collected, featuring the sights, sounds and smells of the market.

The group hopes to inspire people and families to rediscover Oastler Market, and to continue visiting it even when the series of events is over.

Traders have been involved in several different ways – from coming up with ideas for the guided walks and activities to choosing songs that will be played through the day.

Events on the two Saturdays will include live music, poetry, DJs, guided food walks and tours through the market, prints and posters from local artists and a bar by The Brick Box.

On Saturday 28 there will also be a commissioned piece of theatre written by Kirsty Taylor, based on stories of the market.

The project has been funded by Arts Council England with support from Bradford Council and Bradford Markets, as well as Ivegate based arts group The Brick Box, Gallery II at the University of Bradford, and BCB Radio.

The events on both days run from noon until 4pm.

On Thursday evening an exhibition on the project will open at Kala Sangam in Little Germany.

The exhibition starts at 7pm and will run until June 28.

As well as images and prints of the market, visitors to the exhibition can listen to recordings of the traders being interviewed about their lives there and the oral history of Oastler Market. There will event be the smells of herbs and spices to bring the market experience to life.

At the exhibition’s opening night there will also be food prepared by the traders.

Wur Bradford have held other events at Oastler Market, including regular poetry afternoons in Fountains Cafe.

We Are Here is an attempt to collect the market’s history before it is forever changed - Bradford Council’s current regeneration plans could see the market closed within a few years, with food stalls and businesses moved to a new market in the former Marks & Spencer building in Darley Street, and non-food stalls moved to Kirkgate Market.

Oastler Market would be demolished to make way for a development of family homes.

Anyone wanting to go on one of the food tours on either Saturday can register by visiting wurbradford.wordpress.com/