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Tuesday 13 March 2012

Heaven!


I've said it before....  I feel so fortunate to live close to Salts Mill.  I can't think of anything nicer, especially on a chilly winter's day, than to spend an hour or so browsing the art and photography books in the 1853 Gallery.  The Gallery itself, though it's a huge space, feels quite cosy and intimate, helped by the lighting and the colours, the gentle music and the warm scent of lilies. My idea of heaven....  I wish I could tele-transport you there for a while.  My photo will have to do the job!

The sharp-eyed among you will have noticed the unusual book-stand.  It's an old weighing machine, a legacy of the mill's history as a textile works.  It was made by Day and Millward, a Birmingham firm.  They won an award at the Great Exhibition in 1851 in "Section G: Weighing, Measuring and Registering Machines for Commercial and not for Philosophical Purposes"... ???

Advance notice of more festivities in Saltaire (we like them a lot!):
World Heritage Site Weekend - 20-22 April 2012 - with lots of activities planned around Roberts Park and the canal, and items from the Saltaire archive on show. 
Saltaire Arts Trail - 5-7 May 2012 - see their website for details.
Saltaire Festival - 6-16 September 2012 - see website for more information.

10 comments:

  1. And for keen walkers there's ride2stride, the Settle-Carlisle Walking Festival from May 1-7. It's a week of walks, talks and music from stations on the Settle-Carlisle line - all accessible from Saltaire station and organised from right here in Saltaire.
    www.ride2stride.org.uk

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  2. I've just finished reading "Salt and Silver," and immediately recognized the 1853 Gallery. Thanks for the photo. Jim

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  3. I had just mentioned Elizabeth Gaskell's book North and South and here you show me Salts Mill. I imagine that building during its textile days. What a pleasant way to spend an afternoon - browsing the books and art now found within.

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  4. I agree with you - the atmosphere, the building, the books : my kind of heaven. Now if only there was a decent pub inside.

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  5. Hi Jenny .. your photo is brilliant - and I totally agree - I'd love to be teleported there to share a coffee and a walk about .. looks a wonderful place.

    I love the book stand .. and it really does the job well. Your photography and comments are just wonderful to see .. cheers Hilary

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  6. What a wonderful pastime- I would happily join you for a browse Jenny- history, elegance, books and warmth-perfect!

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  7. "not for philosophical purposes"?!!
    That's funny! beautyful piece of "furniture" anyway!

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  8. Doesn't displaying art books count as a philosophical purpose then? Sounds like my kind of place.

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  9. What a beautiful and comfortable place. Your photograph is --- like always -- outstanding.

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  10. I can just "feel" the atmosphere there from your image and description Jenny! What a great place. At first I thought the book stands were easels set up for an art class. ~Lili

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