A short film by documentarian Tom Harmer about one of Bradford’s iconic characters Barry Root, better known as the ‘Bird Man of Bradford.’ Sitting with his friends on John Street Barry talks about his life beginning with his journey from Jamaica, running a well-known record shop in the city and being part of the vibrant Caribbean community before being known today as the man who feeds the pigeons. As pigeons fly overhead, pedestrian walk along John Street in Bradford with some passing the...

A short film by documentarian Tom Harmer about one of Bradford’s iconic characters Barry Root, better known as the ‘Bird Man of Bradford.’ Sitting with his friends on John Street Barry talks about his life beginning with his journey from Jamaica, running a well-known record shop in the city and being part of the vibrant Caribbean community before being known today as the man who feeds the pigeons. As pigeons fly overhead, pedestrian walk along John Street in Bradford with some passing the mural painted on a wall of Bird Man Barry Root who sits nearby with three friends chatting happily and watching the world go by. He talks about why he loves all creatures and why people shouldn’t fear them. He lights a cigarette changing to him sitting on a chair in the middle of the pavement holding a bag of bird seed as the pigeon’s flock around him. Title: Bird Man As he continues to feed the birds he talks about having pigeons as pets in Jamaica. He talks about his early life growing up in Kingston, his mother moving to Britain and how if he hadn’t joined her, he may have ended up in a gang. In his house a photograph of his mother hanging on a wall and Barry sitting in his sofa flicking through a selection of old photographs. On the wall of his living room a drawing on Jamaican singer songwriter Bob Marley. Surrounding it various album covers and records, many of them for Elvis Presley. As Barry sits and smiles at them he talks in voiceover about his time running Roots Record Shop on Lumb Lane. Now standing across from what was his shop and is now Judi Bakery the film changes to a montage of still images of Barry in the shop and him reminisces about his time running it for fifteen years which he describes as being a wonderful place to work there playing music in the shop. Following Barry standing with a smile on his face another montage of still images with Barry talking about the Caribbean community of Bradford and the only one he would ever want to live in. An aerial of Lumb Lane with Barry explaining how her wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Back at home looking at the records on the wall he talks about the power of music which brings him relaxation, joy and happiness. Returning to him sitting with his friends on John Street Barry talks about being know in Bradford for his music shop and feeding the birds. He talks about why he comes to this spot everyday and about his friends sitting next to him. He waves to someone across the street and a chair is brought out for him. He comes to sit in the chair holding a handful of bird seed as the birds belong to flock to him. In voiceover he talks about two words he appreciates the most; peace and love. End title: Bradford for Everyone. Bradford District. Bradfordforeveryone.co.uk