Number 158 March 2016

BACK ON TRACK

VOLUNTEERS SAVE TRAMWAY

IT'S NOT In this issue THE PAPER MARCHES PEOPLE BUY, PAST

IT'S THE Plus

PAPER BY ALL OUR USUAL UNUSUALS THE PEOPLE NEW NEWS VENUE VIEW History Club is The famous Shipley Glen Tramway, founded in As the local Community trying out a new venue 1895 by Sam Wilson [ pictured, above ] is up and Newspaper, the Sentinel for its meeting on running again every Sunday from noon until needs to reflect – and Thursday, March 3 rd : 4pm, despite the devastating effect of heavy record for posterity – the recently designated rain at the end of last year, thanks to the hard life in Saltaire as it is Archive Room, in the work of a dedicated team of volunteers. experienced by the Resource Centre housed people who live here, as by ’s As reported here last To avoid confusion well as the way it is Exhibition Road building. month, the historic [See photo, above], observed by visitors. The Resource Centre is attraction was brought the tramway’s website Your news and views on the second floor, to a sudden halt by the assures us, “In 1895 it are always welcome. accessible either by dramatic December would have cost you A particular vacancy stairs or lift. deluge; although even about 2d for a round presently exists for an The meeting will begin then the shop and trip on the tramway. enthusiastic reporter to at the usual time of 7pm museum were kept It will now cost you follow up stories and and all are welcome to open at the usual £2.00 for unlimited accept invitations to hear a talk by Ian times. travel for a day, so we events on the Editor’s Watson and to share Congratulations are now offer even better behalf; although as the refreshments as well as due to all involved. value for money!” post is unpaid, no interesting conversation. For the latest information, see the website: regular commitment is See Page 2 >> shipleyglentramway.co.uk required.

WHATEVER IT IS - SAY IT IN THE Sentinel ! [email protected] OR c/o The Saltaire Bookshop, 1 Myrtle Place The Deadline is always 20 th of the month prior to publication. JANE HUGHES IT HAPPENED REMEMBERED IN MARCH By Colin Coates CHERRY TREE IS PLANTED BY FRIENDS - AN IDEA SHE Wed. March 18 th 1868 WOULD HAVE LIKED Weavers at Saltaire Mills Writes Richard Coomber went on strike demanding higher wages. The following Family and friends of Jane Hughes gathered in the Jubilee Blossom day, the company locked the Orchard on Sunday, February 21 st to plant a cherry tree in her memory. gates and closed down all Jane, who died on October 24 th , was one of those people whose passing production. Work resumed left a gap in the lives of people well beyond her immediate circle. on Monday March 23 rd with It was most appropriate that the tree should be planted on the site of one Mr Titus Salt Junior agreeing of Hirst Wood Regeneration Group’s projects because Jane was always a to pay the weavers the same good friend of the group during her time working at Shipley Area Office. rate of pay as other firms in Even though she had worked the usual office hours during the day, Jane the area. could always be relied upon to turn up at evening meetings and to offer enthusiastic advice on the best way to get things done. And her Saturday, March 5 th 1881 commitment didn’t end there, for she would follow up and do whatever At an entertainment held in a she could to help make things happen. It always felt as though she was crowded Victoria Hall, Mrs going the extra mile just for us but we knew that we weren’t the only Titus Salt presented people benefitting from Jane’s energy and commitment. certificates of the Royal As former Shipley Area Co-ordinator Chris Flecknoe said in her tribute Humane Society to Robert published in the Saltaire Sentinel [December, 2015]: “Many Shipley folk Haley and Robert Thompson will remember with gratitude the way in which she found new ways of for the bravery displayed by addressing local needs and empowering residents through environmental projects, fun days, school holiday activities and community arts. them. In November 1880 “Jane’s contribution to the tapestry of community life across the they helped save the life of a neighbourhoods of Shipley will not be forgotten and will continue to little child named Ann inspire all those of us who seek to help to build tolerant, peaceful and Skirrow, who during a heavy creative communities.” flood fell into the , Jane was diagnosed with a rare cancer in January 2009 and as she and would have probably admitted, “my known world fell apart. I had a busy life as a working mum died if Haley and Thompson of two teenagers, with a passion for fitness and the outdoors.” had not jumped in the river to She described the period following major surgery and treatment as being rescue her. “rock bottom” but, typical of Jane, she threw herself into supporting Cancer Support , where she became a Trustee, and also into Zest Sunday, March 12 th 1916 Coaching, helping others fulfil their potential. Private Harry Bolton, of 19 Jane would have liked the idea of a tree growing in her memory and for Amelia Street was killed on the very many people whose lives she touched, it will be a reminder of a his first night in the trenches. woman who packed so much good into a life that was taken far too soon. See his full biography at www.saltairevillage.info/W CLUB TO HEAR NEW CHAPTER OPENED W1_biography_B_001.html On Thursday, March 3 rd at 7pm. Ian Watson will give a talk to the Saltaire #Bolton_Harry History Club, based on new research of the papers kindly made available th by the family of Sir James Roberts, entitled: ‘A Textile Magnate in the First Sunday, March 30 1930 World War: The Letters of Sir James Roberts 1914-1919’. The Bradford to Saltaire via Dave Shaw , who tells us, “This research of the Roberts era is opening up a tram route was new chapter in Saltaire’s wonderful history,” says of the new Archive converted to trolley buses. Room at Shipley College, where the meeting will be held, “The recent Saturday, March 20 th 1965 designation of this part of the College’s premises is a huge step forward in the management and development of Saltaire’s historical artefacts and Saltaire Railway station documents, and your involvement in its use is encouraged.” closed.

A SNAPSHOT OF SALTAIRE The SPA PETER In 1902 (part 2) By Roger Clarke 21 Titus Street RANDALL On Victoria Road alone there were three bakers, two butchers, two greengrocers, two boot and shoe The Authentic Gentleman’s makers and repairers, a newsagent and stationery Village corner shop Hairdresser shop, a cabinet maker/upholsterer/undertaker, a Open Mon-Sat fish and chip shop, a hairdresser, a draper and 8am-10pm 205 Road milliner and a chemist. Most of the shops had been Sun. 10am-10pm

01274 – 597140 selling the same kinds of goods since Sir Titus built 01274 – 826534 ______them, and it was often generations of the same ______families, like the Feathers and Charlesworths who VICTORIA kept them. 1902 was a turning point for Gordon SALTAIRE TEAROOMS Terrace. Until this date there had only been two 8 Victoria Road grocer’s shops here (at No 51 and No 81 – current BOOKSHOP Open Daily numbering). The rest had been dwelling houses 1 Myrtle Place Coffee, tea, cakes, scones, with small gardens at the front. This was before Tuesday- Saturday snacks and novelty gifts the increase in trade, kick-started by the electric 10am - 5pm New/Second-hand books 01274 - 823092 tram service which brought potential customers in 01274 – 589144 ______their thousands at weekends to enjoy the delights

of Shipley Glen. Plans were approved for the SALTAIRE CAROLINE conversion of Nos 16 to 24 into shops, and many SOCIAL CLUB opened the following year. The face of education CANTEEN Caroline Street, always changed in 1902, when all schools were placed Now open every day has a welcome for all. under the control of Local Authorities rather than 79 Victoria Road the old School Boards. The Salts Schools had been Regular Events 01274 – 597818 01274 – 585140 in financial difficulties, relying on the fees of the students, but now the Urban District Council could ______levy a 2d rate for secondary education from local VICTORIA SALTS taxes. More students could now enter the Schools on scholarships, and enter college and university HALL MILL on County Major Scholarships. It is touching to Many Regular Events note that just a year later Miss Medina Griffiths Rooms for Hire Opened in 1853 was invited back to Saltaire by some of her old Visit the website and sign and still pupils. She was the charismatic Headmistress of up for the e-newsletter: Open Every Day Saltaire Girls High School from 1876 to 1886. www.victoriahallsaltaire.co.uk 01274 – 327305 Attractions (She left to open a private school in London.) 50 or 60 old girls attended, each with a card around ______The Saltaire Sentinel include : her neck giving maiden and married names. Tea SALT’S DINER was served in the gymnasium at Victoria Hall. One can also be found at Cafe in to table had 20 little “olive branches” who had come Saltaire by invitation of their mothers. Miss Griffiths was UNITED the Opera presented with a silver inkstand by her former pupils. She had paved the way for girls to have the REFORMED SALTAIRE same educational opportunities as boys, and CHURCH HISTORY receive exactly the same advantages. With its POST OFFICE ordered, self-contained community, Saltaire was EXHIBITION protected from the worst excesses of urban life. In MEDICAL

1853 Gallery 1901, Seebohm Rowntree had produced a report on PRACTICE 11,000 families in York, and concluded that the VISITOR THE HOME chief characteristics of slum life were “the reckless INFORMATION and many other, varied expenditure of money as soon as it is obtained, the CENTRE retail outlets rowdy Saturday night, and the Monday morning ADMISSION FREE pilgrimage to the pawnshop”. This is not to say Shipley and that these features were totally absent in Saltaire, 01274 - 531163 but they were not the norm. LIBRARIES

Notices - News - Announcements - News - Notices

VILLAGE “STORIES” FUNDING WINTER WEBSITE TO BOOST ARCHIVE BANDSTAND The Saltaire Sentinel is Molly Kenyon reports: Free music at Caroline available online, via the not for Saltaire World Heritage Education Social Club, second Sunday Association ( known as Saltaire Stories – of every month from 2pm profit Saltaire Village Website, thanks to Pamela Charity No.1158756 ) has won initial March 13 th Reynolds , who manages the Heritage Lottery Fund backing of £11,700 NORTH WIND TRIBAL site at to promote use of the Saltaire Archive. BELLY DANCERS

The Saltaire Archive held by Shipley College www.saltairevillage.info contains thousands of documents, photographs and artefacts illustrating the RSPB SALTAIRE history of our unique community. Last On Friday, March 4 th at autumn a Saltaire Archive Room was created 7.30pm in the Kirkgate BOOKSHOP within the College’s Learning Resource Centre, Shipley, the RSPB Centre. Volunteers are sorting boxes of Branch presents 1 Myrtle Place fascinating documents and the HLF grant will British Owls , an illustrated pay for guidance from two consultants. talk by Peter Smith. Tuesday- Saturday An archivist will map themes in the archive Admission £3 material and advise on updating the catalogue. (children admitted free.) 10am - 5pm th

An education consultant will match those On Saturday, March 26 Please contact the themes to elements in the national curriculum there will be a free guided bookshop with suggestions, and in Further/Higher Education. walk around the Washburn for more details of what’s Relationships will be strengthened with Valley, led by Peter Riley . going on, and/or to be informal education providers such as Saltaire For further details of either: added to the mailing list: History Club, Bradford Museums and the 01274 582078 Archive Service. [email protected] 01274 589144 Saltaire Stories aims eventually to put the [email protected] Archive online, with learning resources tailored to the needs of a wide variety of users. WORLD HERITAGE Saltaire Cricket Club Making this wealth of material available WHEELIE TABLE TOP SALE Does NOT talk rubbish locally, nationally and internationally will Victoria Hall raise the profile of Saltaire as a “world Sunday, classroom”. Everyone can learn something of th March 27 interest here. Doors open at 10 am. Putting the archive online will require further ______fundraising and several years of work. Another long-term goal is to have regular Cuppacare opening hours for the Saltaire Archive Room, but a substantial amount of sorting and CUPPACARE is a popular cataloguing is still needed. This project relies café and bookstall, open to on the time, energy and skill of very active the public on most Mondays

volunteers. and Fridays, from 10am to More information can be gained from 1.30pm in New Kirkgate, " Saltaire Stories? Shipley. We are a non-profit www.saltairestories.org I could tell a few! from our Facebook page, or by ringing In fact, I have my own service provided by Shipley Maggie Smith on 01274 596448. ‘Archive’!” Christians Together.

The Saltaire Sentinel , written by the people of Saltaire and photocopied by Shipley College in the heart of Saltaire every month, is not affiliated to, nor in any way controlled or influenced by any group, society or organization. [email protected] Sadly, sooner or later you will dispose of this copy of the Sentinel . Please do so with care for our World Heritage Site environment.