There have been bleak moments in the history of Bradford, times when its very future seemed clouded in uncertainty.

But it is typical of this place and its people that, whenever the chips are really down, they choose to respond in a positive manner.

That has never been truer than when some areas were hit by rioting.

The city and its communities were determined that was not the sort of life they wanted and set about changing things for the better.

One of many examples of this attitude was the Frontline Initiative – a community hub in Manningham which grew out of the ashes of the 1995 disturbance.

In recent years, however, the centre became less and less used and eventually fell into a state of disrepair.

Now volunteers are looking to make it fully operational so that it can once again occupy a central role in the neighbourhood.

The fact that the facility is still pulling people together years after it was first set up is particularly heartening.

But we should not be surprised by that fact for there is a strong community spirit in the area, even if, as one organiser pointed out, some people seem to want to ignore this and instead dwell on blurred or second-hand memories of earlier events.

The past should be left where it is and the spirit of a brighter and better future allowed to flourish.