Little Lord Mayor ten-year-old Ruqayyah Rauf joined Bradford’s Lord Mayor Dale Smith complete with robes and chains of office at an event yesterday to mark Older People’s Week.

The event saw the Girlington Primary School pupil attend Generation Games at City Hall with Councillor Smith, where a range of games and activities from the past and present were played by children and older people.

There was also a debate in the Council Chamber and a tour of the civic silverware collection. The event was one of a number that are taking place this week as part of Older People’s Week.

An alternative outdoor performance of Singing in the Rain in City Park was due to take place today.

Bradford Council is helping a range of organisations to put on a diverse programme of events and activities to celebrate the district’s older generation which runs until Saturday.

Fun in the Fountain will see older and younger people wearing wellies and carrying umbrellas and collaborating on an all-singing, all-dancing production of Singing in the Rain.

The group was to rehearse in the morning at the park’s Pavilion with the main performance at 1pm being filmed with help from Bradford University and Bradford City of Film.

Other activities which bring older and younger people together have included Denholme Elders Big Knit Intergenerational Event, which also took place yesterday at Denholme Mechanics Institute.

The Elders taught pupils from Denholme School how to knit and crochet while the children taught the Elders basic computer skills.

There was also an Anchor/Age UK Befriending and Contact the Elderly Event yesterday which included a fashion show, morris dancers and afternoon tea.

Other highlights include painting and drawing sessions at Baildon Link today; a music group at Temple Row in Keighley also today; a family history session at Cottingley Cornerstones tomorrow and on Friday; an open day for Baildon Men's Health Group tomorrow; and Silk: Bradford and Subcontinent, a free drop-in event on Saturday with poetry readings and conversations about empires inspired by the exhibition of the same name at Cartwright Hall.

Up to 20 Health Walks are also taking place across the district, throughout the week, which will last between 30 minutes and an hour.

Councillor Amir Hussain, the Council’s executive member for adult services, said: “This very full programme of events shows what a massive contribution our district’s older people make to their communities and is a really fitting way to celebrate Older People's Week.

“Some of the activities shared with younger people show how each generation can learn from the other.

“I look forward to meeting as many people as possible at the different events.”

Other organisations behind the events include Bradford District Care Trust, Age UK, Seniors Show the Way, HALE Project, Rimmington’s Pharmacy, Bradford District Senior Power and Keighley Elderly Initiatives Group.