We drove through the pouring rain from Cheltenham to Bingley for a 7.30pm show at the Arts Centre.

 

Bingley’s proximity to Bradford is clear from the building society that used to bear the names of both towns. (It’s High Street branches are now part of Santander and the rest of it was nationalised as part of the rescue of the financial services sector.)

 

I enjoyed a lovely evening at this grand old theatre. In the audience was my old friend Gerry Sutcliffe who retired as a Bradford MP in 2015. Gerry was a distinguished Sports Minister as well as being my former Parliamentary Private Secretary. It was lovely to see him again and wonderful to be back in my home county and so able to sleep in my own bed.