Historians question Bradford City Hall's blue plaque wording

Simon Ross Valentine, the author of Bradford City Hall: 150 years of Civic Pride, has called elements of the plaque’s statement into question.

In September last year, the magnificent building’s 150-year long history was marked by Bradford Civic Society. 

The plaque was placed on the exterior wall of City Hall, facing Norfolk Gardens.

What does the plaque currently state?

It reads: “Bradford's landmark civic building was designed by Henry Francis Lockwood and William Mawson.

“The main structure was influenced by Amiens Cathedral, and the clock tower is a direct copy of the Campanile of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence.

“City Hall was the headquarters of the now defunct Bradford City Police, and its cells and Victorian courtroom are still intact to this day.

“A 1909 extension to the building was designed by celebrated architect Richard Norman Shaw.”

But Dr Ross Valentine feels the wording is misleading and inaccurate.

Bradford Civic Society said it is "happy to look into making some amendments", although warned this may not be a "quick process".

The plaque is currently on the exterior wall of City Hall, facing Norfolk Gardens (Image: UGC)

The writer said: “The plaque states ‘the main structure’ of City Hall ‘was influenced by Amiens Cathedral’, a suggestion which, with respect, is utter nonsense.

“The only possible influence of Amiens Cathedral is with the 35 Royal Statues on City Hall's exterior wall, as there is a slight similarity with the ‘Gallery of Kings’, a series of statues at that cathedral.”

He said various European buildings, especially in Italy, could have influenced the architects in designing City Hall but Amiens Cathedral was not among these sites.

The author said the clock tower on Bradford City Hall was influenced by, but is not a direct copy, of the Palazzo Vecchio.

“There are several major differences,” Mr Ross Valentine said.

He also said Richard Norman Shaw’s role in the 1909 extension was “an advisory role only”, with the main architect being F. E. P. Edwards.

“Edwards gets no mention whatsoever,” he said.

“The plaque ought to be replaced with an accurate one."

A letter sent by Janet Senior, president of the Bradford Historical and Antiquarian Society, labelled the issues as “blatant misinformation”.

A Bradford Civic Society spokesperson said: "We have previously been in contact with Mr Valentine regarding the semantics of the wording on the City Hall blue plaque. We made it clear that we were very happy to look into making some amendments, but that given the logistics and costs involved, it may not be a quick process.

“We are also looking at how feasible it is to relocate the City Hall plaque as part of the works on Norfolk Gardens."

It relies entirely on donations and sponsorship.

The civic society said its volunteers have "successfully researched and installed over 10 new heritage markers" since 2019.

The City Hall plaque was installed in consultation with Bradford Council's conservation team.

Bradford Council did not respond when approached by the T&A for comment.