Robert Myers-Priestley clatters through Bradford’s streets on his horse-drawn cart, calling out for “any rags, bones, dishes, washes, microwaves” in a tradition that echoes his grandfather’s work decades ago. The 46-year-old from the Gypsy and traveller community sees his rag and boning not as a way to make money, but as a service to help others, passing bikes to children and donating useful items to families in need. His distinctive work has taken an artistic turn as set designer for RIDE!, a new theatre production celebrating Gypsy heritage as part of Bradford’s UK City of Culture celebrations.
Robert transformed his collected treasures into a stunning 3D backdrop for the show, using everything from copper piping and bike frames to toasters and alloys to create something beautiful from society’s discards. The production combines dance, rap, and theatre to explore themes of resilience and belonging while countering negative stereotypes about Gypsy and traveller communities. Robert hopes the show will help people see past their prejudices and recognize that his culture of “rag and boning and scrapping” deserves respect rather than discrimination. His journey from street collector to theatre artist proves that one person’s rubbish truly can become another’s treasure, especially when creativity and community spirit guide the transformation.
