SOME of Bradford's top attractions have been praised in a debate in the Houses of Parliament - with one peer highlighting the relaxed family atmosphere created by 'very enlightened' gallery keepers.
The cultural and economic value of St George's Hall, the National Science and Media Museum and Cartwright Hall was recognised during the discussion - with Baroness Glenys Thornton pointing to the latter as an example of how a less formal approach from staff can help children fall in love with the arts.
Introducing the debate, broadcaster and author Lord Melvyn Bragg urged the House of Lords to "take note of the contribution of the arts to the economy and to society."
The Labour peer argued that the arts industry needs a "radical overhaul" as it is currently "dangerously patchy and punching way below its weight."
He added that an “industrial revolution” in the arts would realise “enormous rewards”.
Baroness Thornton (Lab), who grew up in Bradford and was created a Life peer by Tony Blair in 1998, spoke of how she developed a fondness for the arts while growing up in West Yorkshire.
She told the House: "Where I grew up in Bradford, the first art gallery that I ever visited was Cartwright Hall. We visited it as children; nobody every stopped us running around in it, which was probably very enlightened of the keepers there.
"Many decades later, last year, I took my granddaughter to its half-term arts activity, which was put on by the gallery for the local children in Manningham, which is one of the most deprived areas in the country."
Baroness Thornton then put the spotlight on St George's Hall, which underwent a £9.5 million restoration project that was completed in 2019.
She said: "St George’s Hall in Bradford is the Yorkshire home of the Hallé Orchestra; last year was its 155th music season. I went from my comprehensive school to its concerts. Today, the tickets for school students are £5 each, I am happy to say, but we have to raise the money for those children to be able to attend.
"A huge favourite in our family is the Wonderlab at the Science Museum. I see many schoolchildren go there. It has a sister museum in Bradford, the National Science and Media Museum, which is doing “Back to Space” as its trip for the half-term holidays."
Concluding her speech, Baroness Thornton said: "I mention these places and programmes not just because I love them but because they are a small number of examples of the richness of our arts and cultural heritage. Theatres, galleries, museums and community arts projects are absolutely vital as an investment in the future, sustainability and prosperity of this sector, which we neglect at our peril."
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