Have you ever noticed how signs and adverts from up to a century ago remain visible on a number of Bradford buildings?
The city's faded signs, hinting at businesses from a bygone era, are featured in a nostalgia-filled new collection.
'Bradford Ghost Signs' is a mini-magazine compiled and self-published by district-born artist and photographer Jenna Greenwood.
She defines a ghost sign as past faded advertisements and signs and her compilation includes those for brewery companies, pet shops and tobacco which date from between the 1920s and up to the ‘70s.
Jenna spent a few days driving around the Bradford district capturing the images including Bert Shutts Dance Hall on Manchester Road, Great Horton, Girlington and Stanley Road, Shipley for the project.
She has produced the 24-page A5-sized collection, which she says offers an insight into the Bradford district’s past.
Jenna said: “I have had my list going of places for about a year that I wanted to include. By chance, I had a spare week to do it in Bradford.
“It’s a peek into our heritage in Bradford. They were made to be permanent. It is a really transient existence that we have now.
“I’m interested in sign writing. There are quite a few ghost signs in Bradford. They are a good insight into what used to go on.
“They are adverts that are high up. This is a reminder to look up once in a while. If you start looking up, you will start noticing things.
“There is going to be a volume two as I have a running list of what to photograph.
“It’s a long-lasting impression of what life used to be like.”
Promoting the ‘zine on Instagram, Jenna posted: “Cue several near car crashes from looking up at gable ends instead of eyes on the road and wild goose chases at daft o’clock to beat the traffic and my photographic record is ready in zine form.”
‘Bradford Ghost Signs’ is the latest project from Jenna.
Last month, she helped decorate two district town centres with work of artists as part of an ongoing council project.
The banners, which have been created by local artists, are being installed in Shipley and Bingley by their market squares.
Named ‘Put the Hip in Shipley’ and ‘Rise and Shine Bingley’, the banners in each of the town centres form group exhibitions by some of the most exciting new and established artists, from across the district.
Go to etsy.com/shop/pilfered for a copy of Bradford Ghost Signs, priced £5.
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