Alderman Horace Robert Walker, Charles Frederick Walker And Doris Walker

Alderman Horace Robert Walker

Doris and Charles Frederick Walker

These are pictures of relatives when they are obviously quite old. Horace Robert, known to us as 'Uncle Bob' was Lord Mayor of Bradford back in the 50's. The other photo of elder brother Charles Frederick (Grandpa Charlie) and his wife (Nanny Doris) was taken in 1974 at Hallow Bank, Kentmere, Cumbria. Former family members made a big contribution to the growth of Bradford, West Yorkshire, in the past - one was even American vice-consul to Bradford when the place actually had a consulate.

 Most family members have now left Bradford for what they probably consider to be more genteel, nouveau riche areas, but I have always felt my roots are here, though Bradford is only one place the family hails from - there are many other places we also have direct heritage with.

I remember once living in Halifax, West Yorkshire (not the one in Canada, the original Halifax in England) and seeing a bus go up the road back to Bradford through Boothtown and wishing I was on it. The same happened when I lived in Huddersfield. If I looked at the place in a certain way then I could pretend it was Bradford. Why have a veggie burger when there is veggie pie at home?

Bradford may be a lot of things but I have always cinsdered it my true home and when I look at the lighted windows in the dusk I can almost see our Victorian and Edwardian family still going about their daily business. I believe I can still feel their energies  in the air.

I also got the impression that Peter had returned to his former Baildon home. As a professional spiritualist medium, researcher and author, I was shown him waiting in his house as it was back in the 70's at Fyfe Grove, Baildon, Shipley. The old Chesterfield was there along with the slate fireplace, the brass smith's clock, the glass and brass coffee table, the 'Stag' bedroom furniture popular in the 70's, the original study, later turned in to a breakfast room, the chandelier in the dining room, handed over by Dad - all of this stuff . I didn't get the feel that Peter was down in St Ives Cornwall with his late career painter/property developer wife or that he was up at Windermere with his mid life second career  elder daughter, but he was waiting for them - yes - in his Baildon home.This is indeed what I was shown.


Find out more about Alderman Horace Robert Walker's Portrait on Art Detective