£1.2m boost to inspire love of reading for Bradford youngsters

Tuesday, 11 July 2017 07:00

Children under five in Bradford are to get a big boost to help them with their reading thanks to a £1.2m windfall from the Arts Council of England.

The cash will fund the Book Trust's continuing work in the Bradford district for a further four years through the Bookstart scheme.

Last month National Bookstart Week celebrated its 25th anniversary with 35 events taking place at libraries throughout the district as well as museums and health centres.

Bookstart aims to provide a free reading pack to all children in England and Wales during their first year of life and again when they are three or four-years-old.

In the past year the scheme has given away 28,000 books in the Bradford district.

More from Local and National News

Leeds Man Jailed for 12 Years After Horrific Campaign of Domestic Abuse

A Leeds woman has bravely spoken out in court after suffering extreme physical and psychological abuse from Nathan Russell, who has now been jailed for 12 years.
MK’s Most Popular Library Expands with Flexible Spaces for All

Milton Keynes Central Library is undergoing major updates: more public computers, flexible book storage, a dedicated study area and larger children’s zone make it more adaptable and inclusive.
West Yorkshire Police Officer Charged with Sexual Assault

A 43-year-old West Yorkshire Police officer has been charged with three counts of sexual assault relating to incidents in York city centre.
Bradford’s Cllr Kamran Hussain Recognised Nationally for Outstanding Community Leadership

Bradford councillor Kamran Hussain has been shortlisted for Community Champion at the 2025 LGIU & CCLA Cllr Awards — highlighting his significant impact across the district.
Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland Opens for 20th Anniversary Season at York Designer Outlet

Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland returns for its milestone 20th year, unveiling new festive features, dazzling decorations and the North’s largest outdoor ice rink.
Final Leeds Brown Bin Collections Before Winter ‘Hi-Bin-ation’

Leeds’ garden waste collections will pause for winter as the final round of brown bin pick-ups begins from 17 November.
Detectives Appeal After Man Seriously Injured in Dewsbury Disorder

Police are appealing for witnesses and footage after a 21-year-old man was critically injured during a violent incident in Dewsbury.
Millions of Tenants Protected Under New Awaab’s Law Reforms

From 27 October, new housing safety rules known as Awaab’s Law come into force — compelling social landlords to fix emergency hazards within 24 hours and protect millions of tenants from dangerous conditions like black mould.
Bradford Expands ‘New York’ Style Housing First Approach to Tackle Homelessness

Bradford Council is expanding its successful Housing First programme — inspired by New York and proven in Finland — to offer ten more places, helping more people with complex needs move from homelessness into stable, supported housing.
Kensington Palace Marks 150th Birthday of Punjabi Princess and Suffragette Sophia Duleep Singh

A major new exhibition, The Last Princesses of Punjab, will open at Kensington Palace on 26 March 2026 to celebrate the 150th birthday of Princess Sophia Duleep Singh — the trailblazing Punjabi royal and suffragette — exploring the lives of the remarkable women who shaped her story.
SENDIVERSE Festival Unites Bradford Through Creativity and Inclusion

A celebration of creativity and belonging, The Leap’s SENDIVERSE Festival brought together over 1,700 people across Bradford for a series of inclusive arts and cultural events designed with and for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
Appeal After Man Seriously Injured in Burnley Collision

Police are appealing for information after a man in his 20s was seriously injured in a crash on Crown Point Road, Burnley.

Listener Club

Get more with the Listener Club!

The Golden Era

The golden era of Bollywood celebrated in this weekly show full of classics taking you back in time. Every Sunday between 5pm - 7pm
Bhangra Nights

Get over the Weekday blues - Every Tuesday night is party night with the best Bhangra and Urban Asian Beats. The Bhangra Show every Tuesday between 8pm-11pm
Alim OnAir

Have you a question about the religious, cultural or tradition aspect of Islam? Then join Hazrat Maulana Fazal Dad in the weekly show every Friday between 8-9pm.
Legal Show

Once a fortnight we dedicate a show to discussing legal issues and family / matrimonial law in particular. Alternate Friday mornings between 9am-11pm.