Victor Wedderburn Jr arrived in the UK from Jamaica in 1971 at the age of 16, joining his Windrush Generation parents here in Bradford. When redundancy took his job at Crofts Engineers in the early 1980s, he used his pay-off to buy a second-hand camera and film developing kit, then set about documenting life in the city.

Frontline 1984/1985, the first ever exhibition from this self-taught photographer, vividly evokes African Caribbean life in Bradford 40 years ago. From Lumb Lane landmarks such as Roots Record Shop and the Perseverance Hotel to sound system parties and anti-apartheid marches, these photographs tell a story that’s sometimes written out of Bradford’s history.

Don’t miss this powerful evocation of a lost era – a striking snapshot of a community that Victor Wedderburn knew from the inside out.

Loading Bay is a multipurpose venue and every day is different.

Aside from planned closure times, opening times for the Gallery at Loading Bay are:

• Thursday, Friday, Saturday: open 12-6pm
• Sunday: open 12-4pm
• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: closed

If you have booked to see an evening performance in the Theatre or Basement, the Gallery will be open up to 15 minutes before the performance start time, so that you can explore the Gallery before your event.

Loading Bay is a brand new pop-up arts venue in Bradford City Centre for Bradford 2025.

Join us on Duke Street as we bring a true Bradford 2025 buzz to the heart of the city.

Plan your visit using our sustainable travel planner.

Loading Bay
1 Duke Street
Bradford
BD1 3QR

There will be a further opportunity to view Victor Wedderburn’s photographs later this year with a selection being exhibited in the foyer of the National Science & Media Museum between 12 June – 29 October 2025.