AW Hainsworth weaves bespoke tapestry to celebrate Born in Bradford’s 18th birthday
13th January 2026
At AW Hainsworth, our story has always been deeply interwoven with the city of Bradford.
This year, we were proud to mark a very special local milestone by weaving a bespoke tapestry to celebrate the 18th birthday of Born in Bradford, one of the world’s largest and most pioneering health research programmes.
Founded 243 years ago, the Hainsworth Mill remains one of the UK’s oldest working woollen mills. For this unique project, our skilled team created an 8ft jacquard wall hanging using one of our historic looms, combining centuries-old craftsmanship with contemporary design.
The finished tapestry is rich in texture and meaning. It brings to life a poetic tribute to Bradford as “a town built on the softness of wool and water”, a line that perfectly reflects the city’s industrial heritage and enduring spirit.
Poetry, place and purpose
At the heart of the tapestry is a poem by renowned Yorkshire poet Ian McMillan, originally commissioned in 2007 to mark the birth of the first Born in Bradford children. The verse celebrates Bradford’s proud manufacturing past while looking forward with optimism to the generations shaping its future.
Now permanently displayed in the new home of the Bradford Institute for Health Research, the tapestry will stand not only as a work of art, but as a lasting symbol of Bradford’s resilience, diversity and community pride.
Celebrating an extraordinary research programme
Born in Bradford has grown into an internationally recognised research programme, following the lives of more than 40,000 children and their families. Its work has helped shape public health policy, improve care for families, and address health inequalities across the UK and beyond.
By combining cutting-edge science with deep community engagement and strong local identity, Born in Bradford has become one of the most ambitious and impactful health studies of its kind.
Professor John Wright
Chief Investigator at Born in Bradford
“Turning 18 is a milestone not just for our project but for the thousands of families who have been part of this journey. This tapestry is a powerful reminder that industrial heritage and health research are woven into the fabric of our city. We are proud that such a historic local mill has helped us mark this occasion with something beautiful, lasting and deeply connected to Bradford’s heritage.”
Over our long history, AW Hainsworth has supplied fabrics for moments of national significance, from the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II to the Anointing Screen for His Majesty King Charles III’s Coronation. We have also pioneered innovation, developing the UK’s first heat and flame-retardant fabric and creating the iconic blue cloth worn by the Royal Air Force.
Today, that same spirit of craftsmanship, innovation and local pride continues across our specialist businesses, including Atkinson Dyeing, Hainsworth Signature Fabrics, Hainsworth Protective Fabrics, Hainsworth Cue Sports Fabrics, John Atkinson by Hainsworth, Natural Legacy by Hainsworth, Northern Rubber by Hainsworth and Replin by Hainsworth.
This tapestry is more than a celebration. It is a reminder that Bradford’s past, present and future are all woven together, and we are proud to continue playing our part in that story.
Amanda McLaren
Managing Director at AW Hainsworth
“As a mill with centuries of history in Bradford, it has been an honour to work on this piece. Weaving together tradition and modernity is what we do best, and it felt very fitting to celebrate the city’s next generation through our craft.”
