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Monday 3 October 2011

Summer's last gasp


The lovely weather is slowly ebbing away, with rain and cooler air moving in from the north.  At this time of year, an Indian summer was never going to last long.  It's the last chance to enjoy summer's colour and brightness, as we move into the gentle mists and russets of autumn.  I took this photo a couple of weeks ago.  Even in the short time since then, the tubs and hanging baskets have drooped and died.

You can tell from the photo that this house, whilst in Saltaire, is not in the conservation area of the village.  It has a uPVC window frame and door.  That is definitely not allowed throughout most of the village as the houses are 'Grade II listed' and subject to stringent planning regulations.  But there is an area of land that was not developed by Sir Titus Salt as part of the village masterplan.  Under the leadership of Titus Salt Jnr, the governors of the Salts School built a new building (now known as the 'Exhibition Building' and forming part of Shipley College) to cater for Arts and Science.  They hoped to recoup the cost by staging a huge exhibition as part of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887.   The new building and the twelve acres of land surrounding it were used for trade stands, concert halls and all manner of exciting activities, including a 'pleasure ground' of rides and stalls.  When the exhibition was dismantled the land was sold for housing, so these houses behind the Exhibition Building are dated later than the rest of Saltaire, are different in design and style and are not included in the World Heritage Site.

13 comments:

  1. Still looks a pretty house to me - UPVC or no UPVC! My baskets have wilted and faded too, just a few petunias and lobelias hanging on. Have a good week.

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  2. This bench in this garden with those flowers... they sound like a small corner of paradise!

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  3. My house is ion a conservation area and the previous owners changed the windows just before it was made official. So I have the best of both worlds!

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  4. I noticed the window first thing, before I had time to read the text. I appreciate the savings in materials and maintenance, but I also like the looks of historically-accurate components. We put Hardy-Plank siding on our house, but you have to examine it closely to see it isn't wooden lap siding. Jim

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  5. This Is my Garden... The flowers are still going strong.

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  6. Such a pretty garden, Lindsay. Hope you don't mind me featuring it. It really stood out for me with the lovely co-ordinated colour scheme. If your tubs are still flourishing, you're doing very well. Mine are well past their best.

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  7. Still looks quite pretty to me even with the double glazing!

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  8. A beautiful capture of the last lingering colours of Summer - I love reading about the history of your wonderful town.
    Have a safe and enjoyable week!

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  9. I comment every year that everything is at it's peak when the cold snaps it dead. It's a little sad! Although, I do love the cooler weather!

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  10. Yes, I do like the more authentic architecture, but everyone can't afford it and this place looks very well tended and attractive.

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  11. How beautiful! That photo makes me happy! :-)

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  12. Even though not historically accurate, the white is very crisp against the brick, especially with those beautiful flowers. ~Lili

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  13. I don't mind at all about you including the photo.I was suprised to see it. Thank you.

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