Dr Lauren Padgett
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drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social
Dr Lauren Padgett
@drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social
410 followers 610 following 300 posts
Assistant Curator of Collections @ Bradford District Museums and Galleries ⚙🏺🖼 🏛 | PhD 🎓 | Historian 📜 | Proud Bradfordian 💪🐗 | Interested in local heritage; bygone times; people from the past; & dusty old things | 📌 🗺 Bradford, Yorkshire | Views my own.
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Dr Lauren Padgett @drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social · Jan 31
Wow, this has taken off since the start of #Bradford2025. This starter pack has 38 orgs and people involved with, and promoting, #Bradford District-wide arts, culture and heritage. If you would like adding, please reply, or flag up any orgs that should be included. 🐗 🖼 🎭🎵 🏛 📸

go.bsky.app/QRjvvH4
drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social
After an eventful and stressful week, nice to have the day off work to go christmas shopping at Halifax's Piece Hall and their Christmas Market, followed by food and drink at local restaurant. Their Christmas Market is great with different food, drink and product stalls. 🛍☕️🍷🍽
Photo shows table with three different drinks on it, a mulled wine, a black coffee and a hot chocolate with squirty cream. Photo shows a courtyard full of white tents of christmas market stalls surrounded by a 3 storey square building of the piece hall. Along one of the levels, letters spelt out Christmas. In the distance is a church steeple/spire.
November 21, 2025 at 7:37 PM
drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social
In the early hours, my car was stolen. Praying its recovered or I'll be £1000s out of pocket. Angry at the sh!ts who did it but faith in humanity restored with neighbours supporting me, & kind stranger who found & returned some of my things, then later came back with a card and gift to cheer me up.
November 17, 2025 at 7:15 PM
drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social
This week I read Tracy Borman's 'The King's Witch', a historical novel about the #Stuart royal court and, fittingly for this week, the Gunpowder Plot. I hadn't realised it was part of a series so I've requested the next one. Book borrowed from Bradford Libraries. 📚 👑 #SkyBook #BookSky
Book cover shows buildings by river at the bottom with an enlarged image of a woman in period costume tinted green holding a pink rose.
November 9, 2025 at 1:07 PM
drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social
I know I'm biased but this is a great exhibition showcasing #Japanese objects from ukiyo-e, to arms and armoury, to #netsuke. On display until March at Cliffe Castle Museum #Keighley #Bradford @bradfordmuseums.bsky.social.

#JapaneseArt #ukiyoe #WoodBlockPrints

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Photo shows a display set up as a japanese garden with two mannikins of Japanese armour. Photo shows a wall of framed Japanese woodblock prints.
November 8, 2025 at 8:56 AM
drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social
I've finished Halloween week listening to a radio version of the supernatural play 'The Grey Ones' by #Bradford playwright JB Priestley. I'd not heard of it before. It's about the belief that a group of malevolent 'grey ones' work together to manipulate the world. 🎭 📻

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Haunted - The Grey Ones, by JB Priestley - BBC Sounds
A patient fears evil is at work in the shape of a sinister conspiracy.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 8:33 PM
drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social
I've finished reading my Halloween week read. I decided to go with a classic and re-read Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein'. I can't help but feel pity for the tormented Monster and less so for arrogant Frankenstein. 🎃📚 #BookSky #SkyBook
Book cover shows a illustration depicting Frankenstein's monster.
October 31, 2025 at 10:01 PM
drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social
It's been great having 'Woven Through Time' exhibition about Bradford's textile industry at #Bradford Industrial Museum @bradfordmuseums.bsky.social this year, featuring historical costume & photos by Ian Beesley. Last few weeks to see it - catch it while you can. bradfordmuseums.org/event/woven-...
Photo shows exhibition space with a wall of framed photos and mannikins of costume in cases. Photo shows exhibition space with a catwalk of mannikins of costume and two cases behind also showing mannikins of costume.
October 24, 2025 at 6:35 AM
drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social
This week I read 'Actually I'm A Murderer' by Terry Deary, clever and witty murder mystery set in Sunderland in the 1970s. Book borrowed from Bradford Libraries. 📚 #BookSky #SkyBook
Book cover has round glasses with one lens cracked and both covered in blood.
October 24, 2025 at 6:20 AM
drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social
I'm trying to research a local branch of the Old Age Pensions Association in #Bradford 1950s. Struggling to find anything. Can #history #historians #hivemind recommend any research into, or researchers of, the OAP Association? Thanks in advance. @workingclasshistory.com @sogorg.bsky.social
October 21, 2025 at 4:16 PM
drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social
This fortnight I have read two historical fiction books. Michael Crummey's 'The Adversary' set in 19th century Newfoundland and 'Cordelia' by Winston Graham - this should be dramatised, it has everything from a mysterious 1st wife, unhappy marriages, secret lovers and séances. 📚 #BookSky #SkyBook
Book cover for The Adversary shows a coast line with buildings, trees and the ocean with the clouds into the shape of deer antlers above. Book cover for Cordelia shows the back of a woman in a dress stood in front of a three storey house with an upper window lit and a town with smokey chimneys in the background, under moonlight.
October 15, 2025 at 8:26 PM
drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social
This morning I had my flu jab. Last year I wasn't quick enough & got the flu which became a prolonged severe chest infection. Resulted in 3 weeks off work on 12 tablets a day, months of fatigue & laboured breathing, & a diagnosis of asthma due to lung damage. I recommend getting 1 if you can. 💉🤧
October 11, 2025 at 11:49 AM
drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social
I decided to treat myself so I booked 2 days off work & booked myself into Wood Hall Spa and Hotel, Wetherby, for an overnight solo spa break. Tied in a visit to Harewood House to see 'Austen and Turner' exhibition. So glad I did it, relaxed & refreshed but don't want to return to work. #SelfCare 💆‍♀️🧖‍♀️
Photo shows a glass-top table with a kindle showing an e-book, a bowl of olives and glass of prosecco on it. Photo shows on mannikins displaying period costume, Regency dresses and a man's outfit, from Jane Susten movie and TV adaptations.
October 7, 2025 at 6:41 PM
drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social
Today I logged on for Collections Trust conference #CTConf2025 for panels on #museum documentation & disposals - the often unseen & undervalued core museum work. I always come away from Collections Trust sessions feeling inspired & uplifted, ready to roll up my sleeves and crack on. 🏛📝👩‍💻🧹💪 #Curator
October 2, 2025 at 5:24 PM
drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social
This morning I went for walk around Low Moor and Wyke, #Bradford, which included a part of the Spen Valley Greenway. Very lucky to have some nice walking routes and green spaces in my local area. 🥾🍂
Photo shows a paved path under an old railway bridge with trees and hedges along the sides of the path. There is a pole with blue signs about the route and directions. Photo shows a paved path with trees and green hedges along the side and a white-painted metal bench to the side. The sky is clear blue.
September 28, 2025 at 12:17 PM
drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social
Over the last few months, and inbetween other books, I've read 'The Redemption of Althalus' by David and Leigh Eddings. I don't often read fantasy books but enjoyed dipping in and out of this longer read. #BookSky #SkyBook #FantasyBook
Book cover shows a man wearing a clock with the hood up and a black cat on his shoulder. He is carrying a knife and there are mountains in the distance behind him.
September 27, 2025 at 7:23 PM
drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social
Review for the Turner Prize 2025 exhibition at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, #Bradford, @bradfordmuseums.bsky.social 👇. I had a sneaky peek on Friday when onsite and I was awestruck.

www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
Turner prize 2025 review – puzzling banners, tinkling bells, burning landscapes and bum-like sculptures
There are calls for peace, intimations of violence, Korean folklore and spiralling vortices: everyone has a spiel but one artist stands out
www.theguardian.com
September 23, 2025 at 8:16 PM
drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social
This weekend I read 'The Lost Passenger' by Frances Quinn, an endearing historical fiction novel about a woman who tries to turn a tragedy into an opportunity for a better life. Book borrowed from Bradford Libraries. #BookSky #SkyBook #BookRecommendation
Book cover shows an illustration of the ship Titanic with other illustrations around it showing the silhouettes of the New York skyline, a female figure with a child, a female figure with a man under a lamppost, and foliage and flowers.
September 21, 2025 at 6:05 PM
drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social
At Bolling Hall Museum, #Bradford, @bradfordmuseums.bsky.social today we celebrated its 110 year anniversary of being a museum with new displays, story-telling sessions, astronomy themed talks and play, a speech reenactment and historical music. 🏰🎉
September 14, 2025 at 3:18 PM
drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social
This morning I went for a hour walk around Low Moor, #Bradford, including through Raw Nook Reserve Nature. Very lucky to have this on my doorstep. 🌳🐦🥾
Photo shows the entrance to Raw Nook Nature Reserve with a notice board, fencing and gate. Photo shows a dirt path through a wooded area. Photo shows a field in the distance with three horses in it. Photo taken from the path of a railway bridge towards a field and wooded area at one side.
September 13, 2025 at 3:43 PM
drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social
This week I read 'Human Remains' by Jo Callaghan, the third in the Kat and Lock detective series. Another gripping page-turner. Cannot wait for book 4. #BookSky #SkyBook #BookRecommendation #CrimeFiction
Book cover has a large hand print.
September 13, 2025 at 7:43 AM
drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social
I was planning on saving it as my Halloween read but this weekend I read 'Whistle' by Linwood Barclay. I couldn't put it down - really sinister and creepy 😱. (Wouldn't recommend to train modellers though). 📚 🛤 🚂 #SkyBook #BookSky #HorrorBook #BookRecommendation
Book cover shows a box covered in cobwebs with parts of a toy train, carriages and train tracks in front of it. The train's headlights are shining yellow.
September 7, 2025 at 6:21 PM
drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social
Huge fire and explosions heard in Bradford around Bierley/Rooley Lane/Euroway. Apparently a lorry fire at industrial estate. I hope everyone is OK as it looks really bad. I can see the billowing smoke from Low Moor.
September 6, 2025 at 12:09 PM
drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social
Today I took the day off work to spend time with 6yr old niece & 6wk old nephew. We went to Darlington's
Theatre Hullabaloo, a charity theatre for kids, where we played in a pirate themed and fairytale forest themed playrooms. Lovely way to round off the summer holidays. www.theatrehullabaloo.org.uk
Photo shows a child's size wooden house in a room which has been decorated with green carpet as the grass floor, fabric suspended from the ceilings with coloured lighting. There are play props on the floor, baskets and puppets. There is a prop bridge over a pretend river in the background.
September 1, 2025 at 8:04 PM
drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social
I was working at Bolling Hall Museum #Bradford yesterday and today. I had my lunches outside. The museum grounds looked lovely in the sunshine, maintained by the fab volunteer gardeners. 🏰🌳☀️
Photo shows an old building, Bolling Hall, with a large garden in front of it with lawns, hedges, trees and flowers. The sky is blue.
August 15, 2025 at 3:30 PM
drlaurenpadgett.bsky.social
This weekend, I read 'Bright I Burn' by Molly Aitken. Set in Medieval Ireland and inspired by true events, it follows the life of a woman fighting against patriarchy and for power. #SkyBook #BookSky #BookRecommendation
Book cover shows the outline of a woman's head with red long flowing hair and green leaves and red sparks coming from it.
August 10, 2025 at 4:21 PM