Mona and the Moths: Artist Walk Explores Bradford’s Wapping History
December 3, 2025Discover the stories behind a lost Bradford community on 23 January
An artist-led walk tracing the history of Bradford’s former Wapping community will take place on 23 January 2026. The event, titled Mona and the Moths – Artist Walk, offers participants a chance to explore a part of the city’s past through a site-specific route led by artist Naseem Darbey.
Event Details
- Date and time: 23 January 2026, starting at 16:30
- Duration: Approximately 30 minutes
- Location: Begins and ends at The Corn Dolly, Bolton Road, Bradford, BD1 4DE
- Cost: Free to attend
- Accessibility: The walk includes a steady uphill section
The walk starts at The Corn Dolly, one of Bradford’s oldest surviving pubs, historically frequented by residents of the now-vanished Wapping neighbourhood. From there, Naseem Darbey will lead participants along Canal Road and towards the remaining parts of Wapping.
One of the key stops on the route is 4 Wild Boar Street, the birthplace of Darbey’s great-aunt Mona, located opposite the former Wapping Road School. Throughout the walk, Naseem will share stories and insights gathered from her research into the area’s history and its former residents. These narratives highlight small, often overlooked histories that are rarely included in official records.
Interactive Textile Sculpture
The walk concludes back at The Corn Dolly, where participants are invited to view an interactive textile sculpture created by Naseem Darbey. The artwork is inspired by “midden finds” and traces of domestic life uncovered during her research, reflecting the everyday experiences of the community.
Additional Information
The event is part of the OUR TURN programme and is open to all. Attendees can book their place in advance through the event’s official page.
For more details and to book tickets, visit the event page.
