I don't think I've ever photographed this particular view before. It's in Saltaire, of course, looking north from Caroline Street along the alley at the back of the shops on Victoria Road. I think the alley is a little wider than some, perhaps to facilitate deliveries to the shops. It's quite a steep slope, steeper than Victoria Road itself, which levels out to the railway bridge. In the distance there is that wonderful view up to green fields and the moorland on Hope Hill.
Many of the back walls have square holes in them. I'm unsure of their original purpose... for coal deliveries perhaps? Or even windows into a store room, possibly? This particular one had wonderful textures in the old wood and stone.
I love towns when you can look down a street and see green fields at the end.
ReplyDeleteLovely textures on that last shot. And I finally figured out which way the hill was going, up or down...the steps of the capstones of the walls showed me the downgrade.
ReplyDeleteIs that what they call a ginnel on Coronation Street?
ReplyDeleteYes, that is a ginnel. I would venture to suggest the rugged square-framed hole is the famous coal 'ole. Jute sacks holding one hundred weight of coal were hoisted onto a man's back from a horse dray and tipped into the house. The ginnel is wider to permit passage of the horse cart which came from the nearby railway station yard. Don't you young folk know nuffink? Ach-o-je!!
ReplyDeleteThe texture of the brickwork was amazing in itself and when paired with the wood was awesome!
ReplyDeleteI would think coal chutes. They are very rare here.
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