2. BRADFORD FIRE DISASTER MEMORIAL, 11TH MAY 1985

Unveiled by Lord Mayor Mohammed Ajeeb and Oberburgermeister of Hamm, Prof. Frau. Sabine Sech, I I th May 1986. Also present Neil Kinnock (then Labour Leader).

Sculptor: Joachim Reisner (German, contemporary)

The impact of the disastrous fire at the Bradford City Football ground is evident in this memorial and the continuation of fresh flowers surrounding it. Fifty six people died and more than 300 were injured.

The sculpture depicts three ethereal figures in bronze moving in a broken circle. The broken circle represents the damaged stadium, whilst the figures symbolise the divide between life and death and the rescuers running to offer help. The bronze figures and base are covered in the names of those who lost their lives. The artist said "As I cast each letter of each name, I began to reallse how enormous had been the damage done by the fire. In some cases the same surname occurred again and again. It was then that I knew how cruel the tragedy had been for those left behind."

The form of the memorial was a collaboration between the sculptor in Germany and Bradford City Council's landscape architects. The height of only 4 feet was a deliberate part of the design, so that children could read the names and understand the significance of the figures. The steps were made from local stone from Bolton Woods by Messrs. Ogden Waterhouse and Denbigh Ltd. The sandstone support pillars were the work of the stone mason, Rainer Wohrle.

Joachim Reisner's role as the sculptor appears almost one of fate. Bradford is twinned with the German town of Hamm, and his wife, Joyce Reisner, was one of the members of the Hamm Civic Party at the Valley Parade ground on the fateful day of the disaster. She also grew up in Wilsden near Bradford and met Reisner on an exchange visit to Hamm, when she was only 15. Ten years later they married. Such was the impact of the disaster on her, that she took back to Germany the idea of giving Bradford a memorial gift, thus the memorial was a gift from the People of Hamm to Bradford.

Cross over the pelican crossing, turn right and walk towards the Alhambra Theatre. To the left of the Alhambra you will see a statue of Queen Victoria.