The project has been based in the town for nearly 60 years and employs around 400 locally in the historic Bowling Green Mills.
What may not be well known is that Damart is a solid supporter of the community initiative and has acquired a centre stage to support the numerous growing creative efforts in the Bingley and Bradford area.
Over the past year, Damart has opened its doors and has become an important community art and culture venue.
In March 2024, we held workshops with five Rise Locks 250th Anniversary exhibitors.
In February 2025, Damato's underground transformed into a magical kingdom hosting Bradford 2025 Glue.
For the past 18 months, local community organizations have been working together under the umbrella of “Bingley Creates!” Supporting the purpose of the Bradford district as a British cultural city to bring more creative opportunities to Bingley.
Bingley will be created! We held weekend activities on the Bank Holiday weekend from May 3rd to 5th.
These Bingley25 activities will take place at several locations, including Myrtle Park in Bowling Green Mills, Market Square, Canals and Damart HQ. Saturday, May 3 will focus on the creativity and community heritage of Sunday, May 4, and Monday, May 5 will be about activities and sports, including a celebration of “Bingley Walkers Welcome.”
Visitors to Bowling Green Mills on Saturday, May 3rd (10am to 4pm) can see the exhibitions offered by the Bingley & District Local History Society and the Cottingley History Society. For the first time, the public will have access to the Bingley & District Local History Society archives currently hosted by Damart.
Damart's 1871 café features children's fabric activities led by staff at the Bradford Industrial Museum. There is also an exceptional display of rare local postcards from the Graham Hall Collection, as well as photos from the Frank West Collection, taken at Bingley in the 1960s.
On Sunday, May 4th, Damart's 1871 Cafe will become one of six sites of major exhibitions for artists and art groups linked to Bingley, and you will have the opportunity to meet artists, view and purchase works.
Other locations at the event are Bingley Gallery, Bingley Baptist Church Hub, Craft House, Paula Dunn's Studio (Wellington Street) and Jane Fielder's House (Bromley Road).
The transformation of Damart to a place to support the arts is organized by facility manager Ben Northrop in close collaboration with the Damart Committee.
Damato transformed the 1871 cafe into an elegant space that the public enjoyed during the event.
The business also commissions several bold murals that brighten up the factory, as well as installations on the exterior walls next to the three Rise Rocks.
“We are pleased to announce that Ben Northrop, H&S and Facilities Manager at Damart, said:
“We are delighted to support Bingley creating! On our mission to bring more creative opportunities to our town as the organization's emphasis on community values resonates strongly with us.
“We recently hosted visitors at Bradford's 2025 Glue and held five Rise Locks 250th Anniversary workshops. We look forward to welcoming locals and even more to Bowling Green Mills this summer.
“The Bingley25 celebration is a great way to bring our rich cultural heritage back to life and allow people to experience firsthand what our town has to offer.”
Bingley will be created! The aim is to host a year-round programme of creative and cultural activities at Bingley, so that the community can participate and support local artists and creatives.
Damart will help you create Bingley! Participation in the arts in developing and supporting community art. Last year, Damart offered a 1871 cafe, offering community groups to host free monthly workshops and exhibitions. These Bingries will be created! The event is held at the same time as the popular sale of Damart, growing from strength to strength.
Many community organizations are hosting Saturday events in Damart, including Bingley Graphite Art Group, Bingley Music School, Bingley, Bingley Frocks Bingley Women's Institute, Sorooptimists, Bingley Bellingers, and local crafters and makers, including Bingley Graphite Art Group, Bingley Music School, and Bingley Walkers. There are free activities for all ages, including Dorsett Button Maker Workshops, Bunting Making and Art Taster from The Love Bull Studios.
Bingley will be created! It continues throughout 2025 on the last Saturday of each month. The next event will be held on April 26th, hosted by the Bingley Camera Club, with free workshops and pop-up studios.
* Marcus Rattray is president of Bingley Camera Club and a volunteer at Bingley Creates!
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