Museum receives 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 Museum has been chosen as one of twenty‑seven small museums across the United Kingdom to receive funding from the Royal Society as part of the 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.

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

James Steward explained that the project is about connecting communities with stories that are relevant to them and connecting collections with new perspectives.

James Steward added that working alongside local South Asian communities to co‑create and share this history is vital to what museums stand for in celebrating diversity, curiosity and shared ownership of heritage.

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

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

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

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

During the English Civil War Bolling Hall Museum served as a Royalist stronghold and was used as a hideout for supporters during the Siege of Bradford.