People, culture and heritage make Bradford unique. The only thing that isn't unique about our city is its name. And as people across the district celebrate the new Millennium, "Bradfordians" across the globe will only just be warming up to herald its arrival. Isobel Fox reports.

THE DRINK may be flowing in the district's pubs and clubs on New Year's Eve, but in Bradford, White County, it'll be more of a sober occasion.

The American town in the state of Arkansas - once governed by President Clinton - has a no-alcohol rule, and when we celebrate the stroke of midnight on December 31, in White County, where the time will be 6.15pm, the most daring drink they'll be celebrating with will be a pint of ginger beer.

Mayor Leroy Mitchell said: "We haven't got time to celebrate; it's just going to be another working day.

"We're not doing anything special. We'll hit the streets in 1999 just like we did last year, only a little bit harder."

Nothing could be further removed from the millennium celebrations planned for Bradford, Pennsylvania, where revellers will be celebrating the stroke of midnight while we party on at 5am.

The city, with a population of 9,625, is situated in the north western corner of the state, 80 miles south of Buffalo.

Peggy Comilla, city administrator at Bradford city council, said the city's millennium celebrations were being co-ordinated by First Night, a group of 212 international cities which promotes family celebrations every New Year's Eve.

She said a group of Tibetan monks would be in the city for three days to help residents celebrate.

"They will create a mandela - or mosaic - one grain of sand at a time,'' she explained. "Then at 3pm on New Year's Eve they will destroy it and share out the grains of sand. Any grains remaining will be returned to the nearest body of water so as to perpetuate life and peace."

Miss Comilla added that celebrations would also include a traditional "Ball Drop" at midnight, following a parade led by the mayor down Main Street into the city's Veteran Square.

Last year, 4,000 people joined in the celebrations. This year, 18 venues across the city will be used to showcase magicians, bands and other acts.

"It's a wonderful little historic town, and it's going to be great fun on New Year's Eve."

Fireworks and street parties, meanwhile, will be the order of the day at Bradford, West Gwillimbury in Ontario, Canada.

All six council venues have already been booked for the occasion, and fireworks and street parties will be the order of the evening.

As well as that, celebrations will revolve around a four-face town clock which cost more than $100,000.

"It will be unveiled at midnight on New Year's Eve complete with obelisks giving the history of the municipality, and the names of the donators," said Juanita Dempster-Evans, Bradford West Gwillimbury council city administrator.

Over in Bradford, Vermont, celebrations will be a very low key affair.

The town, with a population of 2,500 people, will be celebrating midnight while people in Bradford, West Yorkshire, will be stumbling home from parties at 5am.

"We're just a little rural town, very low key," said assistant town clerk Linda Moore.

She added that there had been no mention of having a celebration at the town meeting, and most people were going to celebrate the event at home.

In Bradford in the US state of Maine, town manager Clint Desdhene felt the occasion was a reminder to the town to catch up with the times.

He said: "There's no communal party planned.

"Because we're small, we often get looked over by the bigger cities. It's a good time to think about what we are doing, and where we are going."

As well as its global counterparts, Bradford has a cousin much closer to home - Bradford Upon Avon, Wiltshire.

Town clerk Brian Porch says the town will be celebrating the millennium with a fireworks display at midnight. The Mayor, Vicky Landell Mills, will also say a few words.

"The new century will be ushered in with muffled bells to commemorate the passing of the last century," said Mr Porch.

"The we'll sing a few songs, and start off the fireworks display. By the time that finishes, everyone will be freezing cold and wanting to get home - or to the nearest pub."

He added that a 12ft tall millennium statue of a mill worker would be unveiled later in January. It will depict a woman releasing a dove as a sign to mark the millennium's passing.

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