STRIKE is a spectacular projection show set to transform the architecture of the iconic 249ft chimney at Bradford’s Lister Mill, a cornerstone of the city’s industrial heritage.
Created by Urban Projections with a soundscape including poetry by P. A. BITEZ, STRIKE will be projected on to Lister Mill across three evenings from 3 to 5 October. The event is free to attend, with projections running from 8pm-10pm each evening.
STRIKE creatively collages images of slogans, placards, marches, trade unionists, archive film and archive material. It has been created for Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture to honour 135 years since the historic 1890 protest by 5000 majority female workers at Lister Mill, which paved the way to the formation of the Independent Labour Party in 1893.
Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director for Bradford 2025, said: “Bradford is a city shaped by its industrial heritage. Some of our landmarks are still part of the streets we walk, while some voices and stories are in danger of being forgotten.”
Image: Historic England
The factory in Manningham was once the largest silk mill in the world, part of the textiles industry that built Bradford. It then became the site of the mass four-month walk-out by 5000 workers in 1890-91, to protest against pay cuts.
The strike led to increased unionisation and calls for better political representation for workers. Acting as a catalyst to bring together local union organisers, it led to the formation of the Bradford Labour Union and paved the way to the formation of the Independent Labour Party in Bradford.
Shanaz Gulzar continued: “In STRIKE, we celebrate the forgotten pioneers whose actions still shape the present. From the Bradford working women on strike in 1890, to those who fought for their rights across the 20th century and today, STRIKE highlights the power of communities working together, speaking up, and standing up for each other.”
Tom Frater, Historic England Regional Director for the North East and Yorkshire said: “We are pleased to support this exciting project. Lister Mills is a towering monument to the industrial revolution which still dominates the Bradford skyline today. It played a key role in the lives of local people in the Manningham area, not just in terms of employment but also in social life too. These bonds were especially strong for women who made up the majority of the workforce and provided the basis for the mill strike of 1891. Their inspirational story is being shared in schools and gives a fresh appreciation for one of Bradford’s most iconic landmarks.”
