The Centre first opened in 1981 and was run as a private business by the people who lived in the adjacent house. Later it was transferred to Bradford Council, who ran it for many years as an educational outreach centre. Budget cuts meant that could not continue and the centre closed in 2013. A concerted effort by the Friends means it's now able to open at weekends. It organises guided walks and supports school visits to the area, as well as having an interesting and varied display inside, covering the social, industrial and natural history of the area. It also has a nice wildlife-friendly garden. It's well worth popping in if you're walking on Shipley Glen. They even offered me chocolates and a cup of tea!
The adjoining Bracken Hall House is now run as a luxury B&B and has five star reviews.
Good for them to get it running again.
ReplyDeleteSo glad the volunteers were willing to be photographed...their work pays off in providing education to the young, and sharing some beauty from times past.
ReplyDeleteThat is well done by the friends.
ReplyDeleteVolunteers are more important in our various societies than most people realize, and they deserve the respect and admiration of all of us.
ReplyDeleteBravo to the volunteers. Years ago I organised a trip to Shipley and a canal boat holiday but Bill got sick and we had to cancel. always makes me sad when I see pics of that area.
ReplyDeleteIt's good they kept it going and looked after it.
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