Museum gets grant for Bradford astronomer project

A museum has been given a grant to fund a project about a Bradford-born astronomer who was influenced by the work of medieval Islamic scientists.

Bolling Hall has been chosen as one of 27 small museums across the UK to receive funding from the Royal Society as part of its Places of Science scheme.

Local South Asian communities will be invited to learn more about Abraham Sharp, who was born in Little Horton in 1653 and studied at Bradford Grammar School.

Head of service for Bradford District Museums and Galleries James Steward, said the project would "shine a light on Bradford's unique scientific heritage".

"This project is about connecting communities with stories that are relevant to them and connecting our collections with new perspectives.

"Working alongside our local South Asian communities to co-create and share this history is vital to what our museums stand for in celebrating diversity, curiosity and shared ownership of our heritage," he said.

"Describing the Heavens: Astronomy from Islamic scientists to Bradford's Abraham Sharp" has been given £3,500 to create a series of family events, workshops and an exhibition.

Sharp, who worked at the Greenwich Royal Observatory and has a crater on the moon named after him, was also a mathematician who calculated pi to 72 decimal places.

Other museums to receive grants include the Richmondshire Museum in North Yorkshire, which will run a project on the River Swale, and Pannett Art Gallery in Whitby.

Bolling Hall in East Bowling is one of the oldest surviving halls in Bradford and dates back to the medieval era.

During the Civil War it was a Royalist stronghold used as a hideout for supporters during the Siege of Bradford.

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