Bradford Cathedral to host guided tours of stunning textiles collection

On Saturday 24th November, Bradford Cathedral will be opening its doors for a pair of Ecclesiastical Textiles' Tours where visitors will be able to discover stunning textiles in situ- some that are rarely on display- and hear the fascinating stories behind them. Highlights include textiles by Morris & Co. and an altar frontal that was recently showcased on BBC1's Antiques Roadshow, designed by renowned Bradfordian embroiderer Louisa Pesel.

The Ecclesiastical Textiles’ Tours are the perfect chance to discover more about the history of Bradford Cathedral through its collection of beautiful, intricate and historically significant ecclesiastical textiles. These specialist tours are led by expert historian Maggie Myers.

The collection includes altar frontals and other textiles designed by Morris & Co., the Leek Embroidery Society, Bradfordian artist Ernest Sichel and renowned Bradfordian embroiderer, Louisa Pesel, who designed an altar frontal that was worked on by shell-shocked soldiers during World War One. There are also contemporary textiles designed by Polly Meynell.

Maggie Myers, Bradford Cathedral’s Director of Education and Visitors, says: “Join us as we tour the Cathedral, seeing these stunning textiles in situ - some of which are rarely on display - and hearing the fascinating stories behind them.

The Cathedral is such a lovely building, with so many wonderful features and stories. This is a rare opportunity to focus on its fascinating textiles and to get up close to them in order to appreciate them fully."