Bradford’s Garden of Light

Guest blog by John Atkinson

Bradford’s City Park has been transformed into a Garden of Light for the next two weeks, with huge 11m high lilies, luminous grasses and bright, spectacular dandelions waving in the breeze above the throng of people below. I went last night and was blown away by the beauty, technology and eerie splendour of City Park and City Hall lit up and standing as beacons for Bradford.

Running from dusk every night until 14th October, the Garden of Light grew from the imagination of T.I.L.T., internationally acclaimed light artists who’ve lit up cities and cultural centres across the world from Singapore to Jerusalem. Also, it must be said, Bradford Council have a huge part to play in the success; I’m often one to knock our council but, with the Garden of Light, they’ve shown yet another way to show off the wonderful, extravagant and truly exciting cultural hub that is City Park.

As we got closer to Centenary Square, the light and noise levels lifted until we were in the middle of the amazing Garden of Light. Huge shards of green light rose up from the earth, giant trees, having shed their leaves, had brilliant white lights protruding from them, and stilt walkers glided through the mass, tickling heads, smiling for photos and blowing bubbles which had children of all ages reaching up to burst them. Being part of a crowd that had come simply to enjoy the city as it is bathed in light is a great tonic for those winter blues.

Every time I’ve been to an event in City park, I’ve enjoyed seeing the way kids especially interact with the water jets and huge fountain, seeing them laughing and playing in the water, running joyfully through the geysers and jumping up and down in Bradford’s puddle. Unfortunately, this couldn’t happen on a cold October night, could it? Yes, it could! Such is the pull of the water, kids were still splashing about, running through the lake and getting thoroughly soaked, much to the chagrin, I’m sure, of many a mum; mums seasoned in the draw of Bradford’s watery play pen, though, had thought ahead and fresh trousers, tops and socks were swapped after a good rub down with a beach towel. Beach towels in Bradford in October: this is what City Park’s done for us.

I’ll be down to the Garden of Light a few times more before it ends, and try to see it with the mass of people and, later on, as one of very much fewer for a more personal experience. I’ll also know, as grand as it is, that it’ll shortly be overshadowed by the crown in City Park’s winter calendar: the Christmas Lights switch on (17th November) which, with acrobats, trapeze artists and a firework spectacular, has the potential to be every bit as awesome as the opening last year.

If you enjoyed this post by John read more from him here. Or check out more Bradford stuff here

If you’d like to share your enthusiasm for all things Bradford then do get in contact with wearetheculturevultures @ gmail.com (check out the style guide to see if you’d like to play with us)