The original star was created by local resident and skilled maker Maurice Chalcraft, whose handmade design became a much-loved feature of wintertime in the neighbourhood. Its return in 2025 was not a recreation, but a reimagining — shaped by stories, memories and hands from the community itself.

Bradford-based artists Natasha Joseph and Tasha Brown led the creation of the new star, working closely with residents through Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture’s Our Patch programme. Workshops and conversations invited people to share their memories of the original star and what it meant to grow up with its light. Those stories became the foundation of the new artwork, ensuring Maurice’s legacy lived on in a form rooted firmly in the present.

The evening began inside the church with the premiere of a new heritage and animated film by Ahseem Yusuf and Kat Williams, directed by Natasha Joseph. The film brought together voices from across the community — reflections on childhood winters, the craftsmanship of the original star, and the quiet significance of a tradition that had endured even while the light itself was gone.

As night fell, the reimagined St. Wilfrid’s Star was switched on for the first time. Applause, emotion and quiet moments of reflection filled the church as the star illuminated once more. The evening continued with carols by candlelight and the sound of a brass band, creating an atmosphere of warmth, remembrance and celebration.

The return of the St. Wilfrid’s Star became a powerful example of what Bradford 2025 set out to do: honouring local stories, placing creativity in the hands of communities, and creating moments that connect generations. It was not just the lighting of an artwork, but the rekindling of a shared memory — and the start of a new chapter for a cherished tradition.

The project formed part of Our Patch, Bradford 2025’s programme dedicated to celebrating creativity in neighbourhoods across the district and supporting artists and producers to work directly with local communities