Museum steps back in time

4:09am Friday 2nd May 2008

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Bradford Industrial Museum is set to come alive this Bank Holiday weekend sending visitors on a journey to the past.

The popular venue is offering visitors "A Grand Day Out" on both Sunday and Monday taking people back to a bygone era.

The museum's permanent galleries give a glimpse into the living and working conditions of Bradfordians from the beginnings of the textile industry to the present day.

This weekend Annie Ambler, maid of all work, will be working hard in the mill manager's house while the looms and machines rattle to life in the mill building.

Visitors can call at Gaythorne Row, a terrace of Victorian back-to-back houses and meet the World War Two Home Guard at number 23, while a family settles down to watch the 1953 Coronation in number 29. It is wash day at number 19 and a family will arrive at number 21 to explore their new home of 1875.

The homes have been recently refurnished in three distinct periods - the Victorian, the 1940s and the 1950s to 60s.

People can also step back in time on board a classic Bradford City transport bus, take a ride on a horse drawn wagon and see the Bradford trolley bus which was the last to run in the UK.

Printing demonstrations will be held throughout the day in the print gallery.

Street games will also be on offer along with entertainment from traditional Morris dancers.

The fun takes place between 11am and 4pm and is part of Museums and Galleries Month which is the UK-wide celebration of museums and galleries which takes place in May. A number of events will be taking place at museums and galleries throughout the district.

Jane Glaister, Bradford Council's strategic director of culture, tourism and sport, said: "This is a great family day out and allows people to glimpse into the past and see a living history of Bradford."

e-mail: jo.winrow @telegraphandargus.co.uk