Secrets of Saltaire are revealed at Buxton Fringe Festival

Joanne Crowther is a familiar sight in Saltaire, where she holds regular guided tours, in character as real life Victorian Pollie Toothill.

Born Mary Ackroyd in Bradford Moor, Pollie was a young dressmaker when she met Silvester Toothill, a Saltaire accountant. They married in 1870 and are both buried in Scholemoor Cemetery.

Their colourful story was revealed by Pollie at recent sell-out shows at Buxton Fringe Festival.

Joanne in character as Pollie in Buxton (Image: Joanne Crowther)

Says Joanne: “Pollie Toothill paused her time machine in the Derbyshire spa town of Buxton to tell all about the fascinating stories of our UNESCO World Heritage Site, Saltaire.

“Dressed in her long, flowing black cape, signature period brolly to hand, Pollie told audiences about the secrets of Titus Salt’s success, and a scandal or two along the way, to full houses at Scrivener’s bookstore in Buxton.

“Pollie introduced Saltaire characters to people of Buxton and beyond, who lived in the village at the time, when Sir Titus Salt was alive. She told their stories as well as the story of Sir Titus Salt and how Saltaire came to be.

“I was delighted to a part of the festival this year which is the third largest festival in the UK after Edinburgh and Brighton.

“The two festivals, the Buxton International Festival founded in 1979, and the Buxton Fringe, founded 1980, run simultaneously, offering two packed programmes of events covering music, dance, visual arts, opera, theatre, spoken word and comedy. BIF run events in elegant historic venues in the town such as the classical Opera House and played host to an impressive array of speakers including Johnathan Dimbleby, Bettany Hughes whose talk about The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World we attended in the fabulous Buxton Opera House.

“Other speakers included Donna Leon, international bestselling author Geoffrey Robertson KC, and TV presenter and author Rob Rinder. Along with the classical concerts, a show celebrating the 80th birthday of Joni Mitchell took place at the Pavilion Arts Centre and several jazz artists played at venues across the spa town.

“Both performances of Secrets & Scandal: Victorian Saltaire sold out quickly, such was the interest in this event.

“There will be another telling of these stories at Scrivener’s later in the year on November 14. Thanks to Alan Cattell, local writer and historian for the research on Pollie and Sylvester Toothill."

* Joanne offers monthly tours of Saltaire as her character Pollie Toothill on the first weekend every month.

The next tour is on Saturday at 2pm. To book, call Joanne on 0796 8095132 or visit joanne-edutainment.co.uk