Brad Ford Bear
Brad Ford Bear is the official mascot of the Lord Mayor’s Appeal. You can find out what Brad has been getting up to and learn more about life in the Civic Office and the Lord Mayor’s Appeal by reading Brad’s Blog.
Don’t forget that if you already the proud owner of a Brad Bear to let us know what your bear has been getting up to. Send us your photos to alexis.jenner@bradford.gov.uk and we will add them to Brad’s Gallery.
If you don’t yet have a Brad but would like one they are on sale at Bradford Tourist Information Centre in City Hall, priced £8.00 each with £3 from the sale of every bear going to the Lord Mayor’s Appeal to support local charities.
Brad Ford Bear Merchandise
We now have in stock a range of Brad Ford Bear merchandise, trolley tokens, lapel badges, balloons, activity books and Lord Mayor’s Hats at pocket money prices from 30p, ideal as stocking fillers, prizes or to help you with your fundraising for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal. Call us in the Office 01274 434965 to find out more, discounts available for large orders!
Brad Ford Bear's correspondence with Bradford's Poet Laureate Gerard Benson:
Dear Gerard,
I got a bit giddy whilst talking to Mark at House of Logos and couldn't say Mayor's Bears Badges. Mark who is just as daft as I am thought we should have tongue twisting type ditty about Mayor's Bears on the webpage. So when I emailed him back with an order I added my little rhyme below, Gerard I know you will appalled by my attempt but thought it may make you smile none the less!
I'm a Mayor's Bear by Brad Ford Bear, official mascot of the Lord Mayor's Appeal and THE original Mayor's Bear.
I'm a Mayor's Bear,
a Civic debonair bear,
a bear who cares, bear,
a bear with no airs, bear,
a bear who really dares, bear,
a bear who opens Fayres, bear,
a dapper knows what to wear, bear,
a bear with soft, toffee coloured hair, bear,
a bear who doesn't sleep in a lair, bear but on a plush, plump chair, bear,
a bear for whom there is not a pair, bear, in fact a bear who's a very rare, bear.
From Brad Ford Bear
Dear Brad
You've made me smile. It's lovely. Brad for Laureate? Is "debonair" too complicated a word. I feel there's a place for it.
All good wishes, Gerard
Dear Gerard,
I'm only bear of little brain (to quote that other famous bear Pooh) and didn't get to such clever rhymes! I will add in a line now and post on our webpage I think.
Thanks for the tip.
Brad
Thanks Brad,
Pooh also wrote rhymes so you're in good company. And wasn't there someone called Bruin? or was it Browning? And then there was Bearon and of course Bearcheman. And then (this is true) a writer right up your street who was one of the early pilgrims who went to America, Mistress Anne Bradstreet, a very good poet indeed.
Signed, Poet Laureate G Be(ar)nson
