SUMMER is getting a new lease of life across the Bradford district with the return of the all-inclusive initiative, Sparkling Bradford.

Key partners Visit Bradford, The Broadway Bradford, Bradford Council, Made in Bradford and Bradford Business Improvement District (BID) have announced the comeback of the campaign, which was launched last Christmas for the district’s festive events.

The summer initiative will launch at the Bradford Festival Schools’ Day in Centenary Square tomorrow and showcases the district as a summer destination for people of the North.

The campaign will be launched by local school students from Articulate Stage School at the Bradford Festival Schools’ Day at 12.20pm, with a poem recital on stage to mark the start of the seasonal activity.

The accompanying video will appear on social media, as well as appearing on big screens across the district.

To celebrate the start of Sparkling Bradford Summer, Keighley-based creative Andy Warriner wrote that aforementioned poem, incorporating what the spirit of summer means to Bradfordians.

The final verse reads:

“With food from all over and ice cream all round,

the festivals, galas and parties all sound,

like something is brewing and not just the tea,

but a city that welcomes us, both you and me.

So whatever the weather, grey skies or clear,

have a Sparkling Bradford Summer this year.”

Sparkling Bradford Summer events are all included in a brochure, which has been distributed across the district and can be found at tourism offices and destinations across Ilkley, Haworth, Keighley and Bradford.

The programme highlights events from each area in the district, including creative workshops at East Riddlesden Hall in Keighley, to the Industrial Museum’s Model Mania Demo Weekends and Ilkley’s Summer Festival.

There will also be a chance to win £500 worth of gift vouchers to spend at The Broadway Bradford, with a treasure hunt which encourages visitors to find 12 balloon stickers across the city centre.

Ian Ward, general manager at The Broadway and chair of the Bradford BID, said: “We were thrilled with the success of Sparkling Bradford’s Christmas campaign, which saw thousands of people head to the district for a fantastic range of experiences.

“As we received an overwhelmingly positive response from everyone involved and considering that staycations are up by a third in the UK, we knew a summer campaign would put the district on the map for the go-to summer destination – and there’s so much going on to celebrate.”

Speaking of the initiative, Coun Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “It’s fantastic to see the return of a hugely successful initiative.

“The Christmas campaign saw a record-breaking number of people head to the district over the festive months to enjoy hundreds of events.

“The launch at Bradford Festival in July will be followed by annual highlights such as Keighley and Worth Valley Railway trips and Bradford Film Festival.

“All events are easily accessible through our brochure and online.”

Austin Haynes (10), who will be reciting the poem at the launch, said: “The Sparkling Bradford poem made me realise how many great things are happening in and around the city.

“I felt so excited as there is a fantastic range of activities for people of all ages to enjoy.”

Reading the poem alongside Austin, Fiona Luo (11) added: “I love the poem and Sparkling Bradford brochure.

“I’m looking forward to the balloon trail the most. It sounds like really good fun and I can’t wait to go on an adventure around the city to spot them.”

For more information about Sparkling Bradford, and a list of events, follow #SparklingBradford on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or visit: https://www.visitbradford.com/sparklingbradford.aspx