There’s a big weekend coming up for Saltaire.
The village is hosting its fourth annual World Heritage celebrations at the end of the month, featuring activities such as guided walks, art workshops and a chance to see alpacas – the animals which provided the wool which made Salts Mill prosperous.
The World Heritage Site stages its special weekend on Saturday and Sunday, April 26 and 27.
On the opening day, alpacas from Greenside Farm in Kirkby Lonsdale will be in the grounds of the United Reformed Church.
Artist Lou Sumray will offer a free workshop to draw live alpacas or to make a decorated alpaca. Tea and home-made cakes will be available at the church.
A 1950s Jowett van from Bradford Industrial Museum will be on display on Victoria Road and children can make their own model to take home.
On Sunday, the Horse Boating Society will give demonstrations on harnessing Bilbo the barge-pulling horse before he sets off along the canal. There will a number of guided walks for all the family through the countryside surrounding Saltaire. The Shipley Glen Tramway and Museum will be open as well as the heritage sweet shop. Anyone who can present a pre-decimal penny can ride on the tram for free.
The Saltaire Archive will be displayed in Shipley College’s Salt Building, with four talks over the weekend.
Colin Coates will explain the uses of Victoria Hall during the First World War and Jamie Roberts will describe his family’s role in saving Salts Mill.
Maggie Smith will tell of some tumultuous days when the Mill was run by Illingworth Morris and Claire Wellesley-Smith will discuss the use of natural plant dyes in her project “Fabric of Bradford”.
Helen Thornton, Bradford Council’s World Heritage Site officer, said: “We hope as many people as possible will join us to celebrate Saltaire’s place among the elite group of global heritage locations.
“It has a fascinating and unique history which we are keen to share with everyone.” A programme of events will be available from the Visitor Information Centre and at Victoria Hall in Saltaire, also at saltairevillage.info and visitbradford.com.
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