Imagine living in a place where you could walk to work and your kids could walk to school. Good housing, hospital on site, churches and recreational facilities all to hand. And all set in the delightful Yorkshire countryside away from the smoke and grime of the city.
This idyll was the creation of Titus Salt, a mill-owner who commissioned local architects Lockwood and Mawson to build a whole village on the River Aire fourmiles from Bradford. The village was dominated by the mill, opened in September 1853 on Salt’s 50th birthday, giving work to 3,000 employees and turning out 30,000 yards of cloth every day.
Salt was a visionary and a risk-taker, having invested in alpaca wool, uncommon at the time but earning him huge profits. His wealth was ploughed back into setting up a place where his workers would live in optimal conditions, with educational opportunities available for all age-groups. In keeping with the hierarchy operating in the workplace the larger houses with gardens were reserved for managers and supervisors. There was a communal laundry and everyone had access to the river and the adjacent park
What was missing? As a Victorian business owner Salt wanted to protect his workers (and his profits) from the effects of strong drink so no public house was incorporated into the scheme
These days Saltaire is a highly desirable place to live with good transport links to Leeds and Bradford. The mill closed down in 1986 but the premises now host the Hockney collection in the 1853 Gallery, special exhibitions, a restaurant and shop. In 2001 the whole site was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. Victoria Hall operates as a Community Centre with classes, concerts and other entertainment. And yes you can get a pint though you will have to buy your own washing-machine as the laundry is now a space for rewilding.
Article contributed by Rosemary Barnes – https://yorkshiresbestguides.co.uk/project/rosemary-barnes/
Image copyright of Michael de Greasley
