In September 2025, Bloom took over the streets and skies of Shipley with a large-scale outdoor performance created in collaboration with Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.
In this blog, we wanted to share some first-hand stories from the aerial trainees and community choir members who trained for months to face their fears and become part of something extraordinary. Below, the trainees, choir members, and creative team who made it happen reflect on what they gained from the experience.
Taking the Leap: The Aerial Trainees
We put a call-out to people in and around Shipley who wanted to try something a bit different: Fourteen spots for aerial training, leading to a performance as part of Bradford’s City of Culture. Tom Guy, who is a local performer, heard about the advert through his pole fitness instructor.
“I’ve done pole fitness for ten years and some aerial hoop and silks here and there, so I was looking for a new challenge.”
“When I got the acceptance email I was shocked but equally flattered. It felt special to represent my hometown in something that pushed me to develop both my existing skills and completely new ones.”
Over four intensive weekends between April and August, the group trained from 9am to 4pm each day. The sessions were physically and mentally demanding, covering everything from acro-yoga to harness work.
“Using the harnesses and learning to move in new ways was tough. Even though I was used to aerial hoop and silks, the rope work and constant conditioning were on another level. We finished each weekend sore and exhausted, but also buzzing with achievement.”
Tom also told us about how he felt when he saw all of the hard work pay off.
“The outdoor rehearsals built up this mix of excitement and nerves. Performing in front of thousands for the first time was surreal. Dangling from the crane, feeling the rush of the crowd, and throwing confetti at the end, it was pure joy. It made all the hard work worth it.”
“Our instructors were amazing, so supportive and patient. There were moments when I felt unsure, especially being one of the taller group members, but they always helped me find confidence. I’ve met so many like-minded people through this and I believe in myself so much more now. I’ll definitely keep going with aerial, and if I ever get the chance to perform again, I’d love to.”
Charlie Heap is another local who answered the call-out. As an aerial hoop instructor at a studio in Bradford, she reckoned she had a pretty good idea of what was coming.
“I expected hoop or silks, something familiar, I never thought I’d be up on a crane, facing my fears head-on!”
Charlie reflected on the training weekends with Vince and Tamzen, and about what she noticed happening aside from the physical work.
“Vince and Tamzen are incredible, both as instructors and performers. They pushed us hard, but they made it fun. My callouses even got callouses! I’ll never forget the first crane rehearsal. Watching others go up first made it seem impossible, then suddenly it was my turn. I went from saying, ‘I don’t think I can do this,’ to being up there, doing it.”
Those early rehearsals were a turning point, but she also told us about the feeling of performing in front of her own community.
“When we rose above the buildings and heard the crowd gasp, it hit me. We were really doing something incredible. When the choir sang Lean on Me, we all held hands, and a few of us shed happy tears. It was such a special, once-in-a-lifetime moment.”
“My salon’s just around the corner from Market Square. Seeing familiar faces in the crowd, knowing we’d brought everyone together, that was magic.“
“Bloom made me realise I’m capable of so much more than I thought. And it showed me that a group of strangers can become the most supportive team imaginable. I’d tell anyone, if an opportunity like this comes up, take it. You won’t look back.”
Training for Take-Off
Behind the scenes, Assistant Director Tamzen Moulding helped guide the trainees from first-time harness users to confident aerialists.
“We knew they’d be doing harness work in the show, the training was about building the specific strength and confidence needed, but also about creativity. Every weekend, we added new physical challenges and creative tasks, mirroring what happens in a professional rehearsal process.”
“If someone wasn’t confident or something didn’t feel safe, we changed it, the goal was to make sure everyone could move fluidly, transition between shapes, and feel comfortable both lifting and being lifted.”
She also reflected on one of her proudest moments during rehearsals.
“The first crane rehearsal really showed how much they’d bonded. Seeing them support each other, literally and emotionally, was beautiful. And by the end, they were performing like a professional ensemble. Seeing people’s confidence grow, in the air and on the ground, was the best part.”
“It’s so important for local artists to get opportunities like this, to work at scale, alongside professionals, and experience the full process from training to live performance. That’s how people grow, not just in skills but in belief.”
200 Voices, One Sound
While the aerialists trained, another call went out for community choirs. In the end we landed on six local groups, from Cottingley and Denholme to Saltaire and Bolton Woods. Musical Director Tayo Akinbode had the job of bringing these 200 voices together.
“I’m a firm believer that singing is something everyone can do. It’s a basic human activity. If you can talk, you can sing.”
He spoke about his experience of bringing together so many people with different levels of experience.
“It was a challenge, different levels, different backgrounds, but everyone worked so hard,” he says. “When the six choirs finally sang together for the first time, it was magic. That sound, hundreds of voices coming together, was unforgettable.”
“So many people told me afterwards that Bloom gave them a sense of belonging and confidence they’d never felt before. Some even suggested reuniting every year to sing again. That would be a wonderful legacy.”
Bringing It All Together
Coordinating six choirs, fourteen aerial performers, months of rehearsals, and a performance in the middle of Shipley town centre is no small task. Maddy Allen, who was the brilliant Engagement Producer for Bloom, gave us a deeper insight into how she brought a lot of it together.
“My role is about connecting communities. For Bloom, that meant bringing together many people who’d never done anything like this before.”
The logistics were huge. Months of rehearsals, schedules, coordination, and plenty of tea and biscuits.
“A big part of my job was helping people understand what they were stepping into. It’s not easy to describe to someone that they’ll be singing while performers fly over their heads on a crane! But seeing it all come together during the first technical rehearsal, that was magic. Their faces said everything.”
She highlighted how the people involved in Bloom were as diverse as Shipley itself.
“We had teachers, NHS workers, students, retirees, parents, people from every background. Many were from rural parts of the district that don’t always get these opportunities. Watching them grow, train, and perform for thousands was inspiring.”
“This is what City of Culture is all about, helping people feel connected and showing them what’s possible. These experiences don’t end when the performance does. They ripple through communities, friendships, and confidence for years to come.”
A Lasting Legacy
We’ve always believed that meaningful work comes from genuine collaboration, and Bloom tested that belief at scale. Looking back at these stories, what stands out is how much people grew through the entire process. Even with an intense training schedule, everyone showed up and pushed themselves to do things they never thought possible, and that growth – both as artists and individuals – feels important to honour.
“I’ll treasure this memory forever” – Tom
“It’s changed how I see myself” – Charlie
“When people look back on City of Culture, I hope they remember Bloom, the moment Bradford’s community truly took flight.” – Maddy
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Local illustrator Nicola Storr sent us this beautiful drawing in response to seeing the show!