About

Help us identify places, people, and processes shown in a recently re-discovered film about Bradford's industrial heritage.

Once Upon a Sheep (1946) was shot by Frank Hill for The Wool (and Allied) Textile Employer’s Council and follows the stages of wool production from the field to the catwalk. A copy of the film was found in the archives of Bradford Movie Makers and has recently been digitised. The film was shot at a range of locations in and around Bradford (including, reportedly, 19 separate mills!) and shows in great detail key processes in wool textile production.

However, many of the places, machines, and people shown in the film are still unidentified. We need your help to identify them, and in the process contribute to making a new, historical documentary that places this rare gem in its proper historical context. Whether you are a former textile worker (or the relative of one!), a local history enthusiast, or you are simply interested to learn more about Bradford's industrial heritage, this is a great opportunity to make a contribution to new historical research.

This event is being jointly organised by the Science Museum Group's Congruence Engine project and the Bradford Movie Makers, and kindly hosted by Bradford Industrial Museum. Scenes will be filmed at the event by Judith Simpson.

Please note that filming will be taking place at this event. We will ask you for your consent to be filmed as part of the registration, but please let us know in advance if you would prefer to be left out of any footage