Bradford Civic Society is saddened to announce that our Vice Chairman, and former Chairman, Alan Hall has died peacefully at the age of 79.
Alan – who also published a number of popular local history and fiction books – was chair of Bradford Civic Society between 2010 and 2017, and was involved in campaigns to save the former Odeon building from demolition.
Shortly before his death, Mr Hall was able to attend a VIP reception at the restored Bradford Live for the Yorkshire Calling music event.
Prior to his tenure at Bradford Civic Society, Mr Hall served as headteacher at Belle Vue Girls’ school and interim head teacher at Immanuel school, and spent many years as a Bradford educator.
He also worked in the voluntary sector with the Bradford charity, Beacon, and held roles with Relate and Victim Support.
Mr Hall, who was brought up in Lidget Green and lived in Shipley, was known for delivering walking tours in the city centre and talks on the history of Bradford. After retiring as chair of Bradford Civic Society in 2017, Mr Hall agreed to serve as its vice chair up until recently.
Paying tribute to Mr Hall, Si Cunningham, current chair of Bradford Civic Society, said: “Alan really was the very best of Bradford.
“He knew so much about the city, its history and its traditions – but he was also very forward-looking and progressive.
“I recall people who had been taught by Alan at Belle Vue getting in touch with the civic society and asking how they could get involved because they were so fond of Mr Hall and had a huge amount of respect for him, as did I.
“He had a way of making people want to learn more about a subject and certainly inspired me to take more of an interest in Bradford.
“Alan was a brilliant chair of Bradford Civic Society and did a lot to keep the Odeon campaign in the public’s conscience.
“He was also a brilliant writer and communicator. “Above all else, he was so full or warmth and wit, and had the most engaging personality.
“I know everyone at Bradford Civic Society and those who knew him will miss him immensely, and I will miss my dear friend.” Mr Hall died peacefully at the Marie Curie Hospice on Thursday after a brave struggle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a rare form of Parkinson’s.
He is survived by his wife Mandy and son Robert.
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