You are invited to join us for walks, take part in theatre workshops, attend complimentary meals and contribute your voice as we answer the following questions:
You are invited to join us for walks, take part in theatre workshops, attend complimentary meals and contribute your voice as we answer the following questions:
ark bradford: storm cycle
An exciting programme of activities across the Bradford district
Monday 18 August - Tuesday 2 September 2025
This August, the Storm-Cycle unfolds across Bradford.
It is a programme of arts-led events building toward the Storm-Gathering at the Beacon in Lister Park on Thursday 4 September.
We have invited local artists, organisers, and communities to respond to the question: What form does the flood take? And in response, how might we build an ark? Through meals, workshops, walks, and gatherings, these events ask what we carry forward, what we leave behind, and how we navigate a time of ecological and social upheaval.
Scroll down to find out how you can get involved in warm, welcoming, and inclusive events across the city, and take part in a conversation about where we go from here.
Conscious Climate Conversations
by West Bowling Youth Initiative
Tuesday 19 August
2:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Come and join West Bowling Youth Initiative for a conscious climate conversation in their wildlife garden space. They are discussing how their garden is an ark in our nature depleted city, a haven for wildlife and a space for peace. Join them for food, and be inspired by their journey of taking action for nature recovery.
Location:
Bowling Old Lane Cricket Club, Birch Ln, Bradford BD5 8BH
Limited numbers due to space- please text Nasar and await confirmation 07715995450
SAIL Collection and Delivery Day
by SAIL
Thursday 21 August
9 am to 5 pm
SAIL's Resource Hub in Shipley intercepts materials from the creative and cultural industries, and rehomes them within the local region. The SAIL team are heading out in a van to collect materials from people, or drop off items that we have that people want.
Location: All over Bradford and Leeds
Contact: info@wearesail.org and organising a slot if you have something for them to collect.
The Thornton Ark Mural
by Thornton Community Centre
Saturday 23 August
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Thornton Village Community Centre would like to invite you too come along to plan and start a new street Mural for Market Street. As part of the Ark Bradford project we will be exploring the question of What form does the flood take? And what would we take with you? What will we leave behind?
Location: Thornton Community Centre
Just come along. For more information email Cathy at thorntoncommuntycentre@gmail.com
'Moving from climate grief to climate action’ through art journaling. A workshop.
by Katie Shepherd
Monday 25 August
6-8 pm
An informal workshop for anyone wanting to explore using mixed media art journaling as a way to manage climate grief and anxiety. You will be given a journal and encouraged to use a range of art materials to express yourself during a relaxed chat about climate grief and tools we can use to prevent overwhelm from it, including exploring the Ark Bradford project prompt “How Might We Build Our Ark?”. No previous creative experience needed.
Location: Salts Works, 202 Saltaire Rd, Saltaire BD183JF
Registration details: Email Katieshepherdcreates@gmail.com to book your place and with any questions, including about access needs.
There is also an option to join this workshop via Zoom if you are unable to access it in person. Email Katie for more information (contact details as above).
What we Carry
by Yorkshire Women’s Forum
Tuesday 26 August
2.30 pm - 4.30 pm
Join us for a creative workshop to make your own Ark. Together we will explore what we carry and leave behind through life’s flood using art, conversation and a shared meal.
Location: Manningham Mills Community Centre, Lilycroft Road, BD9 5BD
Women's only event. Email info@ywforum.org
Open the Gates and Let’s Chat
by The Millan Centre
Wednesday 27 August
12 pm - 2 pm
The Millan Centre are hosting this event on behalf of Ark (not to be confused with the Ark Charity Shop). The aim is to get together for a healthy Centre cooked meal and for an Ark representative to come along and seek your views on what is flooding your life and thoughts at the moment. This is your chance to have short meaningful conversations that will help us all understand ways forward to help us all. We hope to see you there on 27th August. The meal will start at 12 noon and the chat at 1pm
Location: Millan Centre, Victor Street, Manningham, Bradford BD9 4RA
Contact the Millan Centre on 01274 480691
This event is open to all Millan Centre users, To ensure your place please contact the above number between 10am and 1pm.
Create and Connect
by Saltaire Print Maker
Thursday 28 August
1.00 pm - 3.30 pm
Discussing the themes of climate change, community and the stories we carry. This workshop hopes to bring together a variety of people in a creative and meditative way to help produce a larger printed piece of work answering those thoughts.
Location: SAIL, Shipley. Unit 2, Ashley lane. BD17 7DB
Please pre-book via email to saltaireprintmaker@gmail.com
55s Club End of Summer Banquet
by Hainworthwood Community Centre
Friday 29 August
6 pm - 8 pm
Hainworthwood Community Centre's 55s club invite members to a celebration End of Summer 3 course Banquet. This is supported by Bradford City of Culture. Our ASK is to join us to enjoy food and an interactive session about our thoughts, experiences, and future expectations.
Location: Hainworthwood Community Centre
For more information contact hello@hainworthwoodcommunitycentre.org.uk
Tuck in and Talk Tomorrow, Together!
by BCB Radio (Jo Kenyon)
Tuesday 19 August
6 pm - 8 pm
BCB are inviting their older and younger volunteers to share a meal and talk about tomorrow's world, looking at climate, community, and collective survival. This will be a chance to explore a variety of ideas from different generations, delve into the possibilities, and work together to look to the future!
There will be delicious, locally sourced food, exciting conversation, and thought-provoking discussions from the Ark Bradford team. Together we can think of a brighter Tomorrow, Today!
Location:
BCB Radio Studios, 11 Rawson Road, BD13SH
This is a private event for members of the BCB volunteer community.
Munch and Chat
by Wyke Methodist Church
Thursday 21 August
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
You are invited to join us for a buffet lunch on Thursday 21st August 12.00-2.00pm and then join in conversation with your neighbours and friends about living in Wyke and the surrounding area. Tell us your memories, how things have changed and what you love about your neighbourhood.
Location: Wyke Methodist Church, Laverick Fields, Wyke, BD12 8JB
Registration details: Email deacon.southbradford@outlook.com
What Would you Save?
by Vicky Clifton
Saturday 23 August
11:30 am - 3 pm
Museums are full of objects that tell us stories about people from the past. In the event of a climate emergency, what one object and story would you like to leave behind? Come along to Cliffe Castle with your object (it might be a cushion you used as a child, an ornament from home, something that reminds you of a special time or anything else). We will help you write a small label telling the story and take a photo to create a gorgeous collage for the Pop Up Museum. Lots of fun, very relaxed and everyone welcome. Suitable for 0-100 years old.
Location: Cliffe Castle Museum, Keighley
This is a drop in event, no booking needed.
Stranded
by Bradford New Church
Tuesday 26 August
Morning
Bradford New Church will be taking families on a pirate adventure! Using story telling, art and bushcraft we’ll playfully discover answers to some big questions.
Location: Ashfield Ave, Frizinghall, Shipley BD18 3AL, United Kingdom
Registration details: TBC
Building our Ark - a Bradford Music Conversation
by Bradford Music Scene
Tuesday 26 August
6:30 - 9:30 pm
Join us at The Underground, Bradford for Building Our Ark – A Bradford Music Conversation. Over food and live acoustic music, we’ll explore how to build an “ark” – a sustainable, supportive music community that can carry Bradford’s creativity safely through any storm. Limited places. To take part:
Location: The Underground,9 Duke St, Bradford BD1 3QR, UK
To take part email: hellobradfordmusicscene@gmail.com
Building our Ark
by Climate Action Ilkley
Wednesday 27 August
6:30 pm - 10 pm
Climate Action Ilkley's vision is for a sustainable climate resilient town, where everyone is part of a thriving community living within the planetary boundaries – Our Ark. At this meal event we will celebrate and reflect on our past achievements and talk about how we can better achieve our vision.
Location: Ilkley Moor Vaults, Stockeld Road, Ilkley LS29 9HD
This is an event for CAI volunteers and collaborators. For more information contact steve.peel@climateactionilkley.org.uk
Thornton Community Centre Volunteer Meal
by Thornton Community Centre
Thursday 28 August
6:30 pm - 9 pm
You are invited to come along and enjoy good food, good company and excellent conversation. After dinner Ark will be going along to start a conversation around the Ark metaphor asking what form the next flood will take? Getting your ideas around survival, imagination, and collective response. It’s about climate, community, and the stories we carry. Just bring yourself and plenty of opinions, we will sort the rest.
Location: Thornton Community Centre, Main Hall.
This event is for volunteers at Thornton Community Centre. RSVP to Cathy on 07594620508 or Thorntoncommunitycentre@gmail.com
Carbon Literacy Training
by SAIL
Tuesday 2 September
11 am - 3 pm
Carbon Literacy training is a days worth of learning on the climate crisis, and what we can do about it as individuals and as part of a team. Upon completion of the training, you will have an understanding of how carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases influence climate change, and more importantly, what we can do about it.
Location: SAIL Resource Hub, Unit 2, Merchants Quay, Ashley Lane, Shipley
Registration details: https://buytickets.at/sail/1809162
Women’s Eco Feast
by WomenZone
Wednesday 20 August
4.30 pm to 6.30 pm
Womenzone will invite a diverse group of individuals, including staff, volunteers, and service users, to engage in discussions about climate change. By utilising locally sourced food from our own garden and preparing it in our Hubert Street kitchen, we will create an opportunity for meaningful conversations and exploring the Arks questions.
Location: Womenzone, 19 -21 Hubert Street, Bradford, BD3 9TE
Registration details: info@womezonecc.co.uk
Shipley Green Drinks August Event
by Shipley Green Drinks
Thursday 21 August
5 pm - 7 pm
August Shipley Green Drinks is focused on a discussion with Ark Bradford where we will chat about what we want to carry forward into an uncertain future. This will be followed by a delicious free vegan buffet by the fab Dandelion Cafe. Expect Shipley Green Drinks networking and great conversation (as always!) including thought-provoking prompts from the Ark Bradford team.
Location: Dandelion Cafe, John St, Saltaire, Shipley, BD183HU
No need to register, just turn up. Email Katieshepherdcreates@gmail.com with any questions, including about access needs.
Cycling, Walk and Chat
by Bolton Road Community Cycling Club and EcoSikhUK
Sunday 24 August
10 am - 1 pm
Bolton Community Cycling Club and EcoSikhUK welcome you to join them for a cycle, walk and chat - a community journey to Rodley Nature Reserve LS13 1HP. Free drinks and snacks will be available for participants who wish to stay for a chat. We will be exploring the connection between nature and health aswell as nature's power to unite communities, answering questions from the Ark team about what is important in today's world. Everyone is welcome from all backgrounds for a spiritual, engaging discussion to feed our heart, mind and soul.
Start: 10am, Bolton Road Community Cycling Club
720 Bolton Road, BD3 0ND (entrance is from Cliff Road)
Via: Canal Road and Green Way to Shipley, then cycle on the Shipley Leeds Canal towpath
Finish: 1pm return to start point.
No bike? The Club has some to borrow, just register your interest.
Don't cycle? You can meet us at the nature reserve for a walk at 11.30am.
Limited spaces please contact to register interest:
07828762961
Your Voice in the Ark
by Bradford Community Broadcasting (BCB)
Tuesday 26th August
Time TBC
Take part in a relaxed, recorded conversation about the Ark questions at BCB Radio or in Radiobox, their mobile studio. Your words will become part of a live soundscape at the Beacon on 4 September. Only 8 slots available.
Location: 11 Rawson Road, Bradford BD1 3SH - or The Box location TBC.
Registration details: Email arkbradford@gmail.com to join.
Your Voice in the Ark
by Bradford Community Broadcasting (BCB)
Wednesday 27th August
Time TBC
Take part in a relaxed, recorded conversation about the Ark questions at BCB Radio or in Radiobox, their mobile studio. Your words will become part of a live soundscape at the Beacon on 4 September. Only 8 slots available.
Location: 11 Rawson Road, Bradford BD1 3SH - or The Box location TBC.
Registration details: Email arkbradford@gmail.com to join.
Your Voice in the Ark
by Bradford Community Broadcasting (BCB)
Thursday 28 August
Time TBC
Take part in a relaxed, recorded conversation about the Ark questions at BCB Radio or in Radiobox, their mobile studio. Your words will become part of a live soundscape at the Beacon on 4 September. Only 8 slots available.
Location: 11 Rawson Road, Bradford BD1 3SH - or The Box location TBC.
Registration details: Email arkbradford@gmail.com to join.
The Electric Storm
by Flash Cassette
Friday 29 August
Time TBC
Bradford-based producer Flash Cassette creates a collaborative ambient soundscape for the Ark Storm-Gathering. Layering community-sourced sounds with his signature synth textures, this evolving piece will surge through the Beacon on 4 September - an atmospheric, electronic storm built from local voices, rhythms, and ideas.
There will be an informal sharing of audio created for this project. Location: TBC
about ark bradford
Ark is an artist-led community engagement project focused on climate change. It aims to start a conversation in Bradford where participants can safely explore their hopes, fears, and solutions to the ecological crisis.
Ark uses conversation to challenge fixed and often abstract ideas about climate change. It believes that through conversation, we can foster relationships, build solidarity, and create a strong foundation for taking meaningful action in our local community.