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Saturday 17 July 2010

Coming up roses

This is a variation on one of the most iconic images of Saltaire - the vast south face of Salts Mill, with its 150ft high chimney and decorative twin lantern towers. The railway line runs alongside. (You can just make out one of the overhead gantrys for the power cables). The newly-built Victorian railway was of course one of the reasons Titus Salt built the Mill in this position. He purchased the land in 1850. By 1853 the huge mill was up and running, bringing together on one site all the processes involved in turning raw wool into fine worsted cloth. (To find out what they are, please look at my posts for March 7th -16th 2010).

By the side of the railway line, there are areas of allotment gardens. B
ecause Saltaire's village houses only have tiny gardens, quite a lot of space in the village was eventually given over to allotments in order that residents could grow their own veg and fruit - an activity once again becoming very trendy! At this time of year the shrubs and rose bushes provide a pretty frame for the Mill. I have noticed that the roses habitually have their 'faces' turned towards the Mill, as if themselves enjoying the view.

By the way, I have heard that, owing to staffing constraints at Shipley College, the Saltaire Archive will NOT now be open to the public in August this year. (Boo!)

7 comments:

  1. Beautifully framed! Without the railway gantry, one of Sir Titus' workers may well have stood and viewed this very scene on his/her way to work.

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  2. The graceful roses offer a great contrast with the strong and heavy stone architecture..

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  3. Nicely framed to give the stark building a touch of softness.

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  4. Love the garden idea, read a blog Allotments 4 you.

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  5. One of the things I always have enjoyed when visiting England is the tidy allotment gardens.

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  6. The mill must have employed hundreds (thousands?) of people! Really phenomenal. I hadn't heard of Titus Salt before encountering your blog, but you've really got me intrigued with him!

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  7. It is a grand shot with the roses in the foreground. Beautiful sky above the building.

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