Saltaire - April 2016
Having negotiated the traffic congestion of Shipley, the coach arrived at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saltaire; whose name derives from the combination of the founder, Sir Titus Salt, and the nearby River Aire. The site was built in 1851 in order that Salts employees be moved from the slums of Bradford to the enlightened industrial development next to the Leeds/Liverpool canal and the railway.
Coffee and tea, warmed crumpets and delicious toasted teabreads were served in the Salt Diner, after which we were free to explore. Salts Mill contained wonderful Hockney landscapes, showing East Yorkshire in all seasons, picking out colours where only dreary greys and browns would seem to exist.
A delicious lunch was taken in the Café Opera, which optionally included a Sticky Toffee Pudding not to be missed!!
The Congregational Church, now denominated as United Reform, stood overlooking the canal, and was the focal point of the “model” village. The unpretentious Corinthian columns and the pulpit are counter-balanced by ormolu and cut glass chandeliers. The attached mausoleum contains the remains of Sir Titus and members of his family.
Victoria Hall was originally built to contain a large concert hall, a lecture room, art rooms, a laboratory, gymnasium, a library and reading room, all available to the local workers. Today, the large hall houses a Wurlitzer theatre organ, currently under repair.
A dose of retail therapy was available before we had to depart for home.
Many thanks to Douglas Shearer for organising an interesting delve into our industrial past.
The Congregational Church, now denominated as United Reform, stood overlooking the canal, and was the focal point of the “model” village. The unpretentious Corinthian columns and the pulpit are counter-balanced by ormolu and cut glass chandeliers. The attached mausoleum contains the remains of Sir Titus and members of his family.
Victoria Hall was originally built to contain a large concert hall, a lecture room, art rooms, a laboratory, gymnasium, a library and reading room, all available to the local workers. Today, the large hall houses a Wurlitzer theatre organ, currently under repair.
A dose of retail therapy was available before we had to depart for home.
Many thanks to Douglas Shearer for organising an interesting delve into our industrial past.
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