Three bedrooms, rooftop garden, rural views - and a… shrine to Jimmy Savile and Fiona Bruce?
All is not as it first seems with this cottage that’s gone on the market this week.
The home in Queensbury in Bradford has loads of original features, like an Inglenook fireplace, wooden ceiling beams, and exposed stonework details.
The views are incredible too, with huge windows in the lounge and the master bedroom looking out over the surrounding countryside.
There’s also a rooftop garden with a seating area, parking for several cars, and an actual bar in the basement.
And all for the low low price of £230,000.
But eagle-eyed house hunters have noticed an unusual detail in the basement of the cottage. It’s an homage to a few unexpected celebrities.
Down here in the basement, where there are several pub-style tables and chairs bunched together, and a dart board, and you’re watched over by a cardboard cut-out of newsreader Fiona Bruce.
The outside of the cottage in BradfordThe cottage's rooftop gardenIncredible viewsAnd that basement shrine...
And that’s far from the weirdest celeb spot down here.
You’ll also notice there appears to be a framed photo of notorious serial killer Peter Sutcliffe, aka the Yorkshire Ripper. What a nice, wholesome character to immortalise in your pub…
Former PM Margaret Thatcher is in pride of place above the fireplace, and there seems to be a copy of Jimmy Savile’s book on display on the mantelpiece.
The photos of the basement have been taken down from the Rightmove listing after this tweet, which asked: ‘Wouldn’t you take down your framed pictures of Margaret Thatcher, Peter Sutcliffe and Fiona Bruce down for the photos??’, went a bit viral.
In response, one person wrote: “part of me thinks this is a brilliant marketing move... I'm looking to move house, and the price point and rural setting is great. Wouldn't have even considered Bradford 'til I saw this....”
Another person pointed out: “I really hope the seller has done this because he knows Twitter will spread the advert far and wide.”
Someone else fairly observed: “Amazes me how people give a monkey's about anything other than the structure and layout of a house they're buying. Nothing else matters, you can paint it, fit a new bathroom etc.”
And also remove the shrine to the convicted criminals…
Regional leaders have confirmed a rail project in the North of England with first improvements taking place in Yorkshire.
The long-awaited Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) project will see a whopping £45 billion worth of upgrades.
The first phase will see the construction of a new station in Bradford followed by upgrades in Leeds, York and Sheffield.
The electrification of lines between Sheffield and Leeds, Leeds and York and Leeds and Bradford will be the first priority and is expected to be completed in the 2030s.
The scheme has been described as "a once in a generation commitment to improving transport across the North".
Announcing the scheme, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "I spent three happy years in Leeds as a university student, a vibrant city I was proud to call home, but I've seen first-hand what underinvestment and empty pledges do to cities across the North.
"This government is rolling up its sleeves to deliver real, lasting change for millions of people through a major new rail network across the North that will deliver faster, more frequent services."
"This cycle has to end. No more paying lip service to the potential of the North, but backing it to the hilt. That's why this government is rolling up its sleeves to deliver real, lasting change for millions of people through Northern Powerhouse Rail: a major new rail network across the North that will deliver faster, more frequent services."
Stage two of the plan will include upgrades around Manchester, with the final stage delivering a new railway between Bradford and Huddersfield that wouldn't be delivered until the 2040s.
In a combined statement, the regional mayors of West, South and North Yorkshire said: "The long-term commitment will transform Yorkshire's transport network and deliver improved links across our region and on to Manchester, Liverpool, and Newcastle.
"It'll mean we can deliver quicker, more reliable journeys, opening up more choice around work, skills and opportunity for everyone across Yorkshire."
SKYMAGIC, the company behind the display, has worked on previous projects for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee and the coronation of King Charles III no less.
Here's what the website says about the event: "As darkness falls over Bradford, you’ll see extraordinary drone recreations of artworks from across Hockney’s career – from his vibrant Californian pool paintings to his more recent Yorkshire landscapes created on iPads.
"All of these classic works will be portrayed in light, flying high over Saltaire in a dynamic tribute to one of our district’s favourite sons. Don’t miss it.
"Painting the Sky will take place in the open air, so please dress appropriately for the weather."
To find out more, take a look at the Bradford 2025 website.
Daisy Jackson -
27th July 2023 
