Saltaire Archive

Saltaire's archive of photos, documents and memorabilia is usually opened to the public once a year and this year it's from 1st to 12th August (presumably including the weekend, though the poster doesn't specify.)  It would be well worth a visit if you're in the area.  There is a permanent display in Salts Mill but it shows only a fraction of what is stored.  There are new treasures arriving all the time too.  Our local paper's write-up promises the 1897 diary of one of the village residents.

I like the poster.  The main picture shows the Saltaire boathouse and the pleasure steamer that used to give people short rides on the river.   The school may be Saltaire's factory school or the primary school on Albert Road, then there is the old postcard of Salt's Mill (you can recognise the New Mill's chimney) and finally Sir Titus Salt himself - with a splendid beard!

Heavy horses

Perhaps the highlight of Bingley Show for me was seeing these 'heavy horses' in the show ring.  Also known as shire horses, they were at one time very common in Britain.  In fact one of my great-grandfathers made his living as a blacksmith in Sheffield, shoeing these beasts.  They used to be used for ploughing, logging and as cart horses.  Immensely strong, they were also used to pull barges along our canals. A few breweries still use them to haul the drays used to deliver beer barrels to pubs.  The city of Bradford uses its team of heavy horses to pull a water cart, watering the floral hanging baskets around the shopping centre - and, when they're not working, you can see the horses at the Industrial Museum.

Sadly they are dying out as working horses, overtaken by mechanisation.  (It was recently announced that the Bradford horses are likely to be sold as part of budget cuts, though there has been quite an outcry about that.)  Most of the remaining horses are kept as pets - but at six feet tall at the shoulder, weighing as much as a family car and costing about the same to keep (about £80 a week and a new horseshoe alone can cost £60) they're not the kind of thing you can keep in your backyard.  They are considered to be at risk - there are said to be less than 1500 breeding mares alive today (globally I think that is, not just in the UK) but I gather that numbers have begun to increase again in recent years, thanks to a few specialist breeders here and in the USA.

Are you trying to make me look like an ass?

Meet Warrior and Cheyenne - a much more cuddly pair than their names would suggest.  They were two of about six donkeys providing rides for children at this year's Bingley Show.  It's an English seaside tradition to have donkey rides along the beach.  I can still remember the feel of their warm, rough hair against my shorts-clad legs as a child, and the sound of the bells on their harness.  Sadly, I'm too old for rides now... but I was pleased to see the tradition continued at the Show and there were lots of happy kiddies laying down memories for the future.

[Yes, I know this photo would have been better with a bit of depth of field blur on the cluttered background.  My camera won't do that.... but my new one might!  ;-) ]

Prize vegetables

It warms my heart to know that there are still people in this land who can be bothered to grow and tend their potatoes, beetroot, onions, carrots or cabbages in the fond hope that they might be able to produce and exhibit three perfect specimens!  This was the horticultural tent at Bingley Show.  A wonderful antidote to the madness of phone hacking, drink and drug-ruined celebs and the mindless violence we've seen on our news screens lately.  (Though who knows what plotting and skulduggery goes on behind the scenes before a local show....)

Herding geese

You've heard, I'm sure, the idiomatic saying about herding cats... well, here at Bingley Show there were dogs herding geese - and it looked about as difficult as herding cats would be.  It made everyone laugh!

I do love border collies though.  They are the traditional British 'sheepdog', highly intelligent and athletic and, I think, very attractive dogs.  One of my friends once told me she thought if I was a dog I'd be a border collie, as she said they often have one ear cocked.... and, being very hard of hearing, I often tilt my head to one side trying to hear better!  So I think that was her reasoning, rather than the fact that I'm intelligent, athletic (not!), attractive and good at herding cats...!

Bingley Show

Bingley is the next town up the Aire valley from Saltaire and every year it holds a one-day agricultural show  - a surprisingly large event for a small town.  This year was the 131st show.  It is a wonderful mix of traditional and modern, tasteful and tacky.  The focal point has always been the chance for local farmers to show their livestock, and local people to enter handicrafts, flowers and vegetables into the show's 'classes' to be judged.  There are numerous trade stands; it is a place for farmers and local businesses to network.  But it also provides a fun day out for families, with lots to watch in the show arena - from show-jumping to clowns, stunt bikes to sheep-shearing.  There is usually some kind of highlight like sky-diving too.  This year there was to be a fly-past by a Lancaster Bomber from the RAF memorial flight (the same one that flew over London after the Royal Wedding) - though I didn't see that, as I had to leave before the scheduled time.

I never find it easy to get photos; the crowds mean you often can't get close enough to the action and the background is always cluttered, but I keep trying every year to somehow capture the essence of the event.  At least it was a dry and bright day this year.  It traditionally rains on Show day and often the park meadow is a sea of mud!  I was rather taken by these cattle (Herefords, I think).  I'm not sure if it was a family group or the winners in each class - but there was an enormous (though seemingly quite docile) bull, a couple of heifers and a cow with a calf.

Another cream tea!

I couldn't miss the opportunity for another cream tea this weekend!  Some friends of mine opened their garden to raise funds to buy an 'Event Shelter' for our church's young people's groups to use when they go to summer festivals.  (I didn't know what that was.  I'm told it's a kind of gazebo where the group can gather to chat, pray and worship together.)  Coming soon to New Wine - so look out for it, H!  And if you want to know what New Wine is, then keep an eye on H's blog, Little Sealed Packages, in a couple of week's time.

Since it was a lovely day, it wasn't a great hardship to go along to support the cause.  It's a beautiful garden, cleverly laid out to make the most of the very steeply sloping site.  I've posted a photo of it before and it looks just as gorgeous in the summer as in the spring - full of colour and interest.  I'm totally happy to sit in my friends' gardens, chat, enjoy tea and cakes - and listen (in this case) to some live music played by a couple of members of 'Hot Aire'.  No hardship at all.

A spring of water

Another view of the round pool and statue at Parcevall Hall.  There is a biblical quote etched into the paving stone, from John 4: 'A spring of water welling up to eternal life'.

The full quote is:
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

I have always found time spent at Parcevall, whether a few hours or a few days, has been a refreshing experience for me.  I go back to normal life feeling more grounded, spiritually nourished and with a better perspective on things. I guess we all need to find places we can go to, or activities we can do, that have that effect on us.  What is yours?

Dragonfly

I don't do a lot of macro photography as I have never figured out really how to use my camera's macro function.  I don't think it's anything like as good as a DSLR macro lens would be.  Nevertheless I quite liked this close-up image of a dragonfly and its shadow.  I don't know much about them - from 'googling' the species I think it is some kind of Hawker (Aeshna) but that's as far as I've got.   Any dragonfly experts out there?

Isn't nature amazing though?....so many wonderful varieties of flora and fauna, each exquisite down to the tiniest detail.  I've just been watching part of a David Attenborough programme (he's one of England's 'national treasures'!)  about Madagascar on TV, and wow, the variety of life there is incredible. Such weird and wonderful creatures. You couldn't make it up!  80% of the island's animals and plants are unique to Madagascar. (Not sure if the TV link will be viewable outside UK but you could try.)
---
I'm shocked at the dreadful scenes in Norway and send my heartfelt condolences to anyone affected by those horrific acts of violence.  My thoughts and prayers too to all of you suffering the extreme heatwave in North America (much as I wish it was a bit warmer here, I don't like it hot - and that heat and humidity must be literally a killer).  Hope you can find ways of staying cool.

Waterlilies

There are several ponds and water features around Parcevall Hall gardens, and one had these pretty pink waterlilies -  nymphaea - though I don't know what variety they are.  Such exotic flowers to find in a windswept and remote location.

What a view!

Parcevall Hall's gardens extend over 24 acres on a steeply sloping site.  Some of the area is orchard and woodland but around the house there are formal terraced gardens, whilst behind is an interesting rock garden, carved out of the limestone bedrock, and a pretty rose garden.  There are magnificent views across to the hill known as Simon's Seat and down towards the valley of the River Wharfe - and happily there are plenty of benches strategically placed to make the most of the scenery.

Originally laid out by Sir William Milner from 1927, the gardens became neglected after his death until a restoration programme was started in the 1980s.  Now back to their former glory, they are carefully managed to provide interest all year round (though the site is remote and can be difficult to access in winter.)  The hall and gardens have been featured in films and on TV and though not attracting hordes of visitors (thankfully it retains a peaceful feel) they are of great interest to garden enthusiasts.
-----

I was pondering John's comment yesterday about my photos having 'balance and serenity'.  I think I do very much seek out those qualities in my lifestyle and environment - and I suppose, by definition therefore, my photos.  Working for a large public sector organisation that, despite its protestations to the contrary, seems hell-bent on demoralising its workforce and making it impossible for us to give the public the good service they deserve - and then coming home to the media stories of greed, corruption and "couldn't care less about others, only seeking to serve myself" in high places... I really need beauty and peace and I find it most easily in nature (though that also has its harsh side).  Today's good news is: my daughter's 20 week scan is fine - and it's a girl.  And my mum's treatment is working as hoped and she is doing well.  Praise God - and thank you for your kind thoughts and comments on both matters.

A little bit of heaven on earth

Up in the Yorkshire Dales, just over the hill from Trollerdale (see yesterday) this lovely old manor house nestles into the hillside.  It's known as Parcevall Hall and was built as a farmhouse in about 1584.  Sensitively extended into a hall over the years, it became the home of Sir William Milner, who bequeathed it on his death in 1960 to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham (an Anglo-Catholic shrine and place of pilgrimage in Norfolk).  Now leased by the Diocese of Bradford (Church of England) it is used as a conference and retreat centre.  I think it's one of the most beautiful places I know.

I have several times stayed here, both on retreat and running several training conferences (in my previous self-employed life).  It's a really peaceful, serene place. The old building is beautiful and full of lovely things.  I once slept in its grand four-poster bed - and some of the cast-iron Victorian baths are nearly big enough to swim in! (Sir William Milner was 6'7" tall so that perhaps explains the size of the baths.) The house is only open to guests but the extensive gardens are open to the public to enjoy.

Here be trolls.....

I had a day out recently up into the beautiful and wild scenery of the Craven area of Yorkshire, in Lower Wharfedale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.  It's less than an hour's drive from Saltaire but the scenery is very different.  This is limestone country - with rocky outcrops, disappearing streams, potholes and caves.  Here is the little valley called Trollerdale that leads up to a narrow limestone gorge called Troller's Gill.  Look carefully and you can see a few walkers and people picnicking.  They need to be watchful...  Legend has it that the valley is populated by trolls who hurl rocks down on unsuspecting travellers.  The ravine is reputedly haunted by the Barghest, the terrifying ghostly black hound of Craven, said to be the inspiration for Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes story, 'The Hound of the Baskervilles'.  It's a very beautiful spot but also quite isolated and it does have rather an eerie feel.  I wouldn't choose to walk up there on my own!

Sunday bridge

Looking back to a time when it wasn't raining....sigh!.... this is Barden Bridge - across the River Wharfe up in the Yorkshire Dales.  It's my entry for the Sunday Bridges theme hosted by Louis La Vache.  It amazes me just how many variations there are on the simple idea of a bridge.  After all, they all have the one purpose: to get from one side of an obstacle to another - and yet the ways mankind has dreamed up to do that are myriad.  This is a good solid stone bridge, but it has a narrow roadway - designed I think for the days before cars were common.  It has little niches for pedestrians to step out of the way of vehicles.

Barden Bridge is on the Bolton Abbey Estate, adjacent to the ruin of the sixteenth century hunting lodge known as Barden Tower.

Saturday story

Wet weekends are a pain for a dedicated photo blogger.... two precious days off work and no chance to get out and take photos... The only solution is to try an idea pioneered by my lovely and very creative blogfriend, Betsy, over at 'My Five Men'  and document my day's activities.  I'm sure she won't mind being copied - it's fun to see how other people spend their days.

Click to enlarge

1 Oops, a late start... a Saturday lie-in is a treat (Note special vibrating alarm clock for deaf person assumes person also blind... has numbers 2 inches high)  2 First cup of tea is the best!   3 Yup, it's rainin'   4 Breakfast: Puffed rice, some of 'Betsy's granola' (she's a star, that girl!) and some juice   5 Shower, wash hair, paint toenails   6 Load the washing machine   7 Get the Marigolds on and clean the bathroom   8 Wrap gift for a friend   9 Change bedding; love the way it looks all clean and love even more sliding into clean sheets at bedtime   10 Still rainin'   11 Lunch: homemade mushroom soup, ciabatta with blue cheese and more tea   12 Off to help celebrate a friend's retirement   13 Sneaked a peek inside the church where friend has been vicar for 25 years   14 Wishing you a long & happy retirement, Gordon & Lis   15 Negotiating the Bradford inner ring road (the lovely old building opposite is the Paper Hall, the oldest house in Bradford, built in 1640) - note sudden but short-lived blue sky  16 More traffic lights   17 Supermarket shop on the way home   18 Sit down with a cup of frothy coffee and a chapter of my book  19  Take out trash and check how the garden looks after all that rain   20 Watch tea-time TV News   21 Catch up on the ironing   22 What's for dinner? Chicken curry   23 Old-fashioned washing-up   24 Time for blogging :)

Swishing

Have you ever 'swished'?  Well, neither had I until the other night but I tried it and it was fun!  According to the fount of all knowledge, Wikipedia, 'Swishing' refers to swapping an item of clothing, shoes or an accessory with friends or acquaintances.  I'd not heard of it before, but some of the young women at our church, St Peter's in Shipley, decided to hold a 'swishing' party to raise funds for our youth work. (We employ a full-time youth worker and run holiday clubs, community events and regular youth club nights, all paid for by our congregation.)

The idea was that you took along some clothes that 'you would be proud to hand on to someone else' (ie: not your oldest tat!) and something to drink, plus a monetary donation if you wished.  All the clothes were displayed and for the first hour you were free to browse and try things on.  After an hour, the Swish was declared 'open', at which point you could claim the item or items you had set your sights on... provided no-one else had the same idea.  I was very fortunate to gain a lovely easy-fitting cotton twill jacket in a soft sage green (see inset pic), which is as comfortable as a second skin.  From The Earth Collection, it's ethically made too, so I can feel doubly happy.  I managed to offload a pair of rather nice taupe shoes which I'd worn twice and which pinched unbearably (bad shopping error), and a silk chiffon skirt that I wore to my daughter's graduation but that I have quite simply grown too fat for.  (Middle-aged spread!)  It's kind of heart-warming to know your well-loved things have gone to good homes.

Treasures

More garden treasures: this time a collection of stone jars, jugs and shells tastefully arranged on a little table under a willow tree.  This too was one of the 'Open Gardens' though it happens to belong to a friend of mine.  I may not be a gardener myself, but some of my best friends are!

I played around with this photo, following the 'recipe' given in a camera magazine.  I subscribe to a couple of magazines and wish I had time to experiment a bit more with their suggestions (as well as all the tutorials on the internet) as there are some good ideas within them.

Bird spa - and a stone face

No apologies for having a garden-themed week this week...  Nab Wood's 'Open Gardens' were so beautiful and deserve a wider audience.   This is another of the terraces in the garden I featured yesterday.  The owner showed me some photographs of how the garden looked when they bought the house - and it was literally bare earth and rubbish.  To have turned it into this little oasis in (I think he said) 11 years is nothing short of a miracle.

One of the interesting games you can play when looking round the open gardens is to spot the half-hidden, quirky little treasures that people have placed.  Here, the bird bath takes centre-stage and I'll bet the birds love to splash in it.... but can you see the stone face in the corner of the border, a bit like one of the Easter Island statues?

Herbaceous border

All those keen gardeners out there will correct me if I'm wrong but I think this is what we in England call an 'herbaceous border' (and in North America, a perennial border?)  Whatever, I thought it looked magnificent, even in the small space of this back garden.  One of my favourite gardens from this year's 'Open Gardens', it was a steeply sloping site cleverly arranged into three level terraces.  Each little 'room' was delightful.

The beauty of a rose...

....needs no explanation.