It’s A Mean Old Scene

‘It’s A Mean Old Scene’ painted on a wall on All Saints Road, Bradford was the first time I can recall seeing what we now term as ‘Street Art’ or ‘Independent Public Art’ as it’s know in some circles. Dating from the late 1960s it is world’s away from the sophistication of modern spray painted and stenciled imagery we are used to. Hand painted text on a darkened stone wall, it had a style and presence all of its own.

It’s said that the council officer in charge of graffiti removal pushed orders to remove it to bottom of his pile as people began to appreciate it, although its exact meaning is a mystery to this day. Sadly a car crashed into the wall and damaged the popular slogan. In time the wall was repaired and some public spirited person repainted the statement as ‘It’s Still A Mean Old Scene’.

A friend of mine, Jim Greenhalf, who is a fine writer and author gave me a copy of his book entitled ‘It’s A Mean Old Scene’ which takes a look at modern Bradford from 1974. As the title suggests the book is not a pleasant stroll through the streets of modern Bradford, but proudly documents the gritty, dark and light shades of the cities history.

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