Explore the voices and experiences of Bradford and Keighley’s textile workers in the 1970s and 80s through oral histories, archive film, and creative classroom activities.

Lost Mills and Ghost Mansions is an oral history project created by Bradford-based 509 Arts, capturing the unheard voices of textile mill workers from the 1970s onwards. This resource draws on stories from the Lost Mills Learning Zone to explore the working lives of textile workers Kim Sharp and Abid Hussain. Learners gain insight into daily life in Bradford district’s textile industry in the late twentieth century and uncover their own connections to this local history.

At the heart of this resource is UNSPUN Stories – a powerful multimedia film created in collaboration with The Colour Foundry. This imaginative piece weaves together oral histories, rare footage from the Yorkshire Film Archive, and specially composed music to celebrate the heritage of Bradford and Keighley’s textile industry.

Through this resource, learners engage deeply with this local history, using drama, discussion, and ICT-based activities to explore themes of work, community, and cultural change. This resource invites students to step into the stories of Bradford and Keighley’s mill workers and reflect on how their voices shape the identity of the region today.

• Recommended for: Ages 11-16 (Key Stage 3 and 4 Learners)
• Includes: Discussion / Writing prompts, Drama activities, ICT activities
• Links to: History / English / Drama / Media / Music / SMSC / ICT / Local learning