During the course of this weekend (27th-29th July 2007) some of you wandering through Town may have noticed that in front of City Hall, in Centenary Square, is an enormous, wonderfully pink, BRADFORD.

That is, gigantic, three-dimensional letters forming the name of our beloved city. On castors. It might spell BRA DORF by now, but anyway.

It was created by one of the City's Secret Artists - those artists no-one in Bradford hears about who work all over the world and bring a great deal of appreciation, praise and good vibes to our town. The name of this particular band of merrie pranksters is 'Hugh Jart' (www.hughjart.co.uk ). They built the vast 'LOVE'sculpture that has gladdened the damp hearts of so many Glastonbury Festival-goers and must be one of the most photographed bits of art on that whole art-riddled site. Everyone just has to be pictured standing next to LOVE , thumbs up, a big grin on their face.

Hopefully, many will do the same in front of BRADFORD. Now, normally, I'm not that big on personal trumpet-blowing. Obviously I have to do it bit because it's part of my job as a writer/artist to be interviewed by the
media in order to publicise my work occasionally and it wouldn't do for me to go, 'er, well, the, um, third chapter's not bad, I suppose'.

However, I'm not that great at it and my heart's not truly in it, which is why I'm not a 'global marketing sensation' as publishers are wont to say (they do, honestly). So, what I'm trying to say is - the Big Pink Bradford was my idea. I thought it up more than a few years ago and would have paid to have the lovely elves of Huge Jart make it myself, had I the readies. I am so
pleased with it I could burst. I think it's funny, nice. great for the children, lively, anti-grim, cheering to see, and a general good thing.

But will you see my name associated with it? No. I made the mistake - in corporate, city council terms, and not for the first time, of giving away lots of ideas - including my lovely pink BRADFORD - for free at a meeting
with the 'Stir' Festival organiser back in April because ideas bubble up in my feckless arty bonce constantly, non-stop, like an overflowing beck. It never occurred to me to say - sorry, no cash, no ideas, because I love
thinking up stuff, being creative, getting things moving. But in modern terms, that's plain silly - I should have invoiced, in triplicate, and called myself an 'Arts Consultant'. Which, Bradford Council, I will be doing in future. Therefore, ladies and gents, brothers and sisters, they get the back-patting, praise for their cleverness and the cash via their (to me) big salaries, I get the pleasure of knowing that's my BRADFORD. So I'm coming out about it, and I'm proud. I only wish I could have it in my back garden after the 'Stir' festival is over because where will it go, the lovely rosy
thing? Into a dark storeroom somewhere? No, it should be on display forever, in the heart of town, maybe - um - on top of City Hall! Brilliant. How great would that be? (Don't bother posting a reply all you RGPs, we know what
you'll think already, sadly).

The Secret Artists of Bradford are a select bunch. They don't get a constant supply of grants and hand-outs. They don't think of themselves as 'Arts Council Artists'. They don't call their various arts, 'industries'. They just make/write/sing/play/knit/sculpt/create stuff. Then they go to the People with it and say - here you are, up to you, if you like it, buy it.
It's our hearts and souls, it's our dreams and our lives. Simple.

Alongside Hugh Jart, another Secret Artist of Bradford is the rock band New Model Army. Sold a million records. Write songs about Bradford all the time - beautiful, heart-stirring, passionate ones. Got Gold records too. Been touring and recording for 27-odd years. Their forward-looking creativity and great tunes are legendary. They play to audiences of 2,000 in the UK and up to 50,000 in Europe. Just finished their tenth studio album and shortly start another 70 gig World Tour - first show, Sao Paulo, Brazil. They're considered the 'band's band' and young American bands say they're one of the most influential of all British rock bands. They are a genuine, underground, counter-culture success story. The UK's Grateful Dead, some say, with a
fanatically loyal, multi-generational global following called The Family.

Yet - does Bradford celebrate this amazing outfit? Do they get showcased at the various limp 'festivals' that the council puts on at vast expense to you and I?

You know the answer.

So, let's celebrate Bradford's Secret Artists - they're out there, spreading the good word about our city all over the world, and I personally, want to thank them.