tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post5786662661816405925..comments2024-03-25T22:00:50.265+00:00Comments on *An English Travel Writer*: BradfordJenny Woolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16881781466502273314noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-86536674668938182182015-10-05T15:08:24.052+01:002015-10-05T15:08:24.052+01:00Another really fascinating post, and good to see y...Another really fascinating post, and good to see your beautiful daughter. Waterstones do some clever things with old buildings - there's an excellent Bank conversion in Birmingham.Relatively Retiringhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07648407316162715318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-36593412756203693112015-10-05T02:12:55.232+01:002015-10-05T02:12:55.232+01:00I am impressed by that wool exchange building! I ...I am impressed by that wool exchange building! I just finished reading Ken Follett's "World Without End", in which the wool trade played an important role. Those characters eventually built themselves a wool exchange, but not as fancy as the Bradford building! <br /><br />The wildflowers are beautiful. At least there is some advantage to the underdeveloped areas.Sparkling Redhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12799366562472325812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-53852199971725286212015-10-04T23:31:20.196+01:002015-10-04T23:31:20.196+01:00I've seen bloggers quit over the comments. It ...I've seen bloggers quit over the comments. It is so so so overwhelming and in fact, I am actually thinking about stopping for a while because it eats up so much time. I think that you should do what fits in your schedule after the important work is done. Visit other people's blogs and only answer questions in your comment section. I think most people don't expect a reply. They leave a comment because they want you to know that they came for a visit. Sometimes, I think we over-think things and put too much emphases on details. Hmmmmmm, maybe I should listen to my own advise. You know after I leave a comment, I rarely go back to see if it was answered. Stay sane and worry about your "real" life and then answer if you have time, visit if you have time.Sonya Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01985227040902078422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-64296025014301194472015-10-03T20:52:46.450+01:002015-10-03T20:52:46.450+01:00To be fair I'm an anonymous worm compared to ...To be fair I'm an anonymous worm compared to One Direction :)Jenny Woolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16881781466502273314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-76513827492366299232015-10-03T12:43:25.382+01:002015-10-03T12:43:25.382+01:00Enjoyed Bradford through your post. What an impre...Enjoyed Bradford through your post. What an impressive City Hall and I liked looking at the miniature as well. Your daughter looked quite comfortable as a speaker. Hope Bradford keeps moving forward and that you return and share it with us one day.<br /><br />darlaDarlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02729017606957829830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-33855598545634314532015-10-03T09:05:31.409+01:002015-10-03T09:05:31.409+01:00The problem is you are popular.#If like me very fe...The problem is you are popular.#If like me very few comment it is easy to reply, however popular folk would spend all day dealing with all the comments. Fame brings some degree of hardship...Adullamitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15537659871829290071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-91659865723180940982015-10-02T13:26:16.494+01:002015-10-02T13:26:16.494+01:00A wonderful post. Has certainly made me want to v...A wonderful post. Has certainly made me want to visit BradfordMohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16999026380030273440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-14426394188126985702015-10-01T11:52:13.051+01:002015-10-01T11:52:13.051+01:00Seems such a fine place to be, and the photos are ...Seems such a fine place to be, and the photos are certainly lovely. Greetings to you! Blogorattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12821621371176285384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-55101969586957354782015-10-01T10:13:53.127+01:002015-10-01T10:13:53.127+01:00Thanks Alan, I will take you up on that and will b...Thanks Alan, I will take you up on that and will be really interested to hear more of your thoughts about Bradford too. Many years ago I had a friend with an old unrestored country cottage near Ilkley and we stayed there once or twice (great but freezing!!!l) and at that time all the demolition and ill advised redevelopment in the city centre was appalling to see. Ilkley was fine though I haven't returned there for years. Jenny Woolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16881781466502273314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-78610955328799547532015-10-01T10:10:48.556+01:002015-10-01T10:10:48.556+01:00I had relatives who lived in Minn. and from what t...I had relatives who lived in Minn. and from what they said, I agree with you about the winter! :)Jenny Woolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16881781466502273314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-656637917567373852015-10-01T10:10:19.752+01:002015-10-01T10:10:19.752+01:00Yes, please do share the link, Val. There is still...Yes, please do share the link, Val. There is still much to do there but as I said, it has the feeling that they might be about to turn the corner at last - before too long. Jenny Woolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16881781466502273314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-17996580129860755322015-10-01T10:09:27.671+01:002015-10-01T10:09:27.671+01:00Me too, Rita. I have a kind of pipe dream about ow...Me too, Rita. I have a kind of pipe dream about owning the kind of place with 30 foot long Victorian rooms 20 feet high with fireplaces and huge windows, and Victorian furnishings. I don't think about myself vacuuming it ! :) thank you for the kind words about our daughter, I'll pass them on. Jenny Woolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16881781466502273314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-79622786963236161862015-10-01T10:08:19.245+01:002015-10-01T10:08:19.245+01:00Yes, it can take a long, long time. I think people...Yes, it can take a long, long time. I think people often under estimate how long. Even when an area has become desirable and funky, it can still look pretty bad in parts. I heard that people are starting at last to invest in Detroit again. It looks so scary but there are such amazing looking buildings there too.Jenny Woolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16881781466502273314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-62845542375113885212015-10-01T10:06:13.636+01:002015-10-01T10:06:13.636+01:00I would suggest trying in a year's time Valeri...I would suggest trying in a year's time Valerie, By then the Westfield will be open and perhaps there will be signs of what effect it is having on the city centre. Without looking at the plans in detail it's hard to know if they'll suck people out of the old centre even more, or bring them back. I suspect the latter, since they are very central. It's going to be crucial to develop attractive cafes, pubs and shops in which people like to linger and browse in the older areas. Potentially it could work so well. Jenny Woolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16881781466502273314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-50596840626680277772015-10-01T10:04:21.836+01:002015-10-01T10:04:21.836+01:00Thank you Patricia. I'll show her your commen...Thank you Patricia. I'll show her your comment! Her work is pretty interesting and it was a most fascinating trip for all of us. I was so glad they'd kept the Wool Exchange. The vandalism was appalling in some of these Northern towns when they just wanted to get rid of the past. <br />Jenny Woolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16881781466502273314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-85967430639880179342015-10-01T10:02:38.977+01:002015-10-01T10:02:38.977+01:00Thank you Graham. "Photos of the moment"...Thank you Graham. "Photos of the moment", I like that idea and it sums up what I try to do too! Yes, it's a matter of hoping that they can make enough changes and sustain the ones they've made so that the town reaches the tipping point and it stops being such a struggle. A matter of momentum. I think they're nearly there. Jenny Woolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16881781466502273314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-12796502162082642712015-10-01T10:00:51.221+01:002015-10-01T10:00:51.221+01:00There are some seriously grungy bits in Bradford. ...There are some seriously grungy bits in Bradford. I think it probably needs more people in middle income jobs. The work there seems to be mostly warehousing etc. but if they could just brighten up the bits with the fabulous architecture a bit more I think that companies might start moving in accountants and other office based/professional businesses and they in turn would bring the money. Maybe the new Westfield will do it although such malls are often inward looking. Still, Westfield was the making of Shepherds Bush in London.....Jenny Woolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16881781466502273314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-25664027578396878532015-10-01T09:57:27.172+01:002015-10-01T09:57:27.172+01:00Yes, it was wonderful to see his glee. His mother...Yes, it was wonderful to see his glee. His mother wasn't really too cross at his soaking wet clothes, although she did make him get out of the pond. Hopefully next time they come she will bring along his bathing suit!Jenny Woolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16881781466502273314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-32412428103399712342015-10-01T09:55:44.611+01:002015-10-01T09:55:44.611+01:00Have you looked on street view to see if the place...Have you looked on street view to see if the places where they lived are still there? I like to watch an "ancestors" programme on TV and what strikes me is that when you see the conditions many people had to live in it is not surprising that the intelligent ones emigrated to a place where their talents would have a better chance of flourishing. Still despite the widespread poverty there was also great energy and these towns have a lot of character and interest. Jenny Woolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16881781466502273314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-40487344045413015412015-10-01T09:53:08.044+01:002015-10-01T09:53:08.044+01:00Sometimes they are the salvation of a place, thoug...Sometimes they are the salvation of a place, though. Until we found Waterstones cafe it was pretty hard to find anywhere enjoyable to have a cup of tea!<br />Jenny Woolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16881781466502273314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-27759628161658991062015-10-01T09:51:30.247+01:002015-10-01T09:51:30.247+01:00Thanks to everyone for the comments, I really appr...Thanks to everyone for the comments, I really appreciate them all and read them avidly! It is funny, although I have been blogging for years I still puzzle about how to manage comments, I wonder if anyone else has this problem. The 3 alternatives seem to be to reply individually, reply in a lengthy response taking in a lot of peoples' different points, or say nothing. I THINK it's best to treat it like I would do if it was a real life party, i.e. respond to everyone individually, but that can feel pretty frantic. Sometimes it is good just to listen and nod - but then perhaps people think you're not interested or not thinking about it. (I do in fact think about everything that people write in their comments). A "group" response to things that several people have said interests me most because it draws together different ideas and aspects, but I don't think many people would see a "group response" unless they're looking out for one. I think that responses only get sent on to subscribers if they're linked to their own comments. Hmmmmm......... Jenny Woolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16881781466502273314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-71288446163286693312015-09-30T23:04:17.832+01:002015-09-30T23:04:17.832+01:00Thank you very much for this post. I had heard a l...Thank you very much for this post. I had heard a lot about Bradford and I must admit it was not very pretty. Your photos are so beautiful.<br /><br />Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-21345541768111762792015-09-30T22:20:35.175+01:002015-09-30T22:20:35.175+01:00Fascinating post, Jenny. Although you focused on t...Fascinating post, Jenny. Although you focused on the positives of your time there, it's sad to see the closed up buildings and derelict mills. I could provide similar-looking photos from my own town. The pharmacy looks amazing though - and that Waterstones building...! I enjoyed the link about the boar on the town coat of arms - thanks for sharing.Becca McCallumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09339982441409936532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-83839554881644358902015-09-30T22:15:53.119+01:002015-09-30T22:15:53.119+01:00Another great tour!
So good to see the old buildin...Another great tour!<br />So good to see the old buildings kept up and reused.<br />So good to know the family is as bright as yourself!<br />Good pictures and good history!Adullamitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15537659871829290071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937298116504825290.post-84987656052518151702015-09-30T15:58:00.500+01:002015-09-30T15:58:00.500+01:00Hello, Jenny. Bradford City Hall looks both magnif...Hello, Jenny. Bradford City Hall looks both magnificent and beautiful. I like traditional European stone buildings and it’s a pity for such buildings to be neglected. I’d like old buildings to be reused for various uses. I feel familiar to the buildings like the 21st image because such buildings were in the Former Foreign Settlement of Kobe which was designed by British civil engineer J.W. Hart and constructed on the basis of European modern city planning. The streets are protected not only through preservation but also with the understanding of how the landscape could be developed through the construction of new buildings. Needless to say, some old buildings were renovated and some collapsed ones by the earthquake were rebuilt using the original materials as much as possible. (The posts are labelled as “Former Foreign Settlement of Kobe”.) While I prefer a small independent book store on the corner, I’d like to stroll through the shelves and have a rest upstairs at the Waterstones bookstore. Last but not least, my respect to your daughter both intelligent and beautiful.<br /><br />Yoko<br />stardusthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10684501661629146087noreply@blogger.com