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Bradford's 1 in 12 Club: A Vital Community Hub

1/28/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The 1 in 12 Club in Bradford, founded in the 1980s by Gary Cavanagh and others, emerged as a vital community space for the unemployed.
The club operates independently and is volunteer-led, hosting reading groups and communal meals.
Despite losses, including founding member Tony Grogan, Cavanagh says the club remains needed amid rising far-right sentiments because a new book documents its cultural impact during Bradford's 2025 UK City of Culture.

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Story summary

The 1 in 12 Club in Bradford, founded in the 1980s by Gary Cavanagh and others, emerged as a vital community space for the unemployed.
The club operates independently and is volunteer-led, hosting reading groups and communal meals.
Despite losses, including founding member Tony Grogan, Cavanagh says the club remains needed amid rising far-right sentiments because a new book documents its cultural impact during Bradford's 2025 UK City of Culture.