Leeds station

I'm afraid I've not been doing anything very interesting since New Year. It's been so cold and icy that I've tended to avoid going out (even though we've had very little actual snow here, to speak of). Our hospitals are under such pressure; the last thing I want is to slip on the ice and end up in A&E facing a long wait for treatment, so I've been staying safe and cosy at home. 

I did venture across to Leeds on the train one day, to meet a friend. I was mildly amused to spot a man in the station concourse standing talking, quite loudly, to a mobile phone on a tripod, obviously filming himself. It looked quite a serious endeavour, as he even had a script of some sort in his hand. (Of course, deaf old me couldn't hear what he was saying.) I did wonder whether it was one of the local TV channels, as he looked vaguely familiar, though I'd have thought they could afford an actual camera operator and not rely on a mobile phone.  Modern life's zeitgeist is that everyone younger than me (and there are a lot of them!) seems to be permanently either 'talking to themselves' or cut off from the world with massive headphones. I find it really weird. 

Meanwhile, outside the station, work goes on to 'improve' the environment. They are enlarging the pedestrian forecourt; moving the bus shelters and spacing them out so there’s more room to wait for a bus and creating an additional pedestrian crossing to make it easier to get to and from the station. They say: 'We want to make a significant difference to the look and feel of this important ‘gateway’ to Leeds and the wider city region. We want visitors to get a great first impression of our city as they come out of the station.' It seems to be taking forever though, and is currently quite disruptive to pedestrians and traffic. 

All in one walk

I feel very fortunate to have such beautiful scenes within a short walk from my home. 

All in one walk: I could monitor the rising river level after a few days of heavy rain. (No worries about flooding yet but it is thankfully improving the water stocks in our reservoirs, which have been critically low.)

Then I could enjoy the contrast of the calm before the weir (and that nice reflection of the New Mill) and the turmoil on the other side. 

The view of Saltaire's church, from across the canal, is clearer now most of the autumn leaves have been thrown to the ground. 

Walking back up the hill through Saltaire village, I was alerted to something happening at the Victoria Hall. There was a sudden burst of a bright blue smoke bomb and some rhythmic Bhangra dohl drumming. When I got nearer, I realised it was an Asian wedding. I witnessed the Baarat: the arrival of the groom and his entourage, with lively music, dancing and lots of people wearing garlands. You may be able to pick him out at the bottom of the steps, wearing a turquoise jacket and with what looks like a red shawl around his shoulders... (though that may be someone's arm around him! He would be greeted by a member of the bride's family.)  Somewhere in the middle is an Imam with a white hat, waving a censer of incense. It looked like a really joyful occasion. 

Making music

My picture above seemed at the same time happy and sad, a typical Bradford city centre scene. The young man was trying his best to brighten things (and make a bit of cash I guess) with some music. Some of the guys cheering him on looked like the kind you often see staggering around with cans or bottles in their hand, arguing among themselves or wandering around aimlessly - but they seemed to be enjoying the music. 

Just on the corner here, there's a unit that shows some of the developers' vision for this area, what used to be the heart of the shopping centre in Bradford. The city council are managing a wide-scale reorientation of the city centre. Many of the shops have relocated to the Broadway Shopping Centre, lower down the town. The markets, higher up, have been closed and relocated to a new building on Darley Street. The Council has been undertaking a consultation on their plans for a 'City Village': a 'vibrant, inclusive neighbourhood in the heart of Bradford' which will be a key part of Bradford's wider regeneration story, with plans for new homes, jobs, retail spaces and public realm improvements. Whether I shall ever see this in my lifetime, who knows? And whether it will be any more successful than attempts to similarly revamp the city's historic Little Germany area... who knows? At least they are trying. 

Sealed Knot members

Here are a few more photos of members of the Newcastle's Foote Regiment of the Sealed Knot Society, bringing history to life at Bolling Hall. (See also yesterday's post). 

I've always found what they do to be interesting. Years ago, around 1970, when the Sealed Knot was relatively new, I went to Wollaton Hall near Nottingham where there were hundreds of them staging a re-enactment of a Civil War battle, with horses and weapons and lots of noise! It was all rather exciting and I wanted to be a Royalist (Cavalier) lady, flouncing around in a long dress! Sadly the pressures of university meant that stayed as a pipe dream.

There doesn't seem so much flouncing around these days, but the members give an interesting and authentic glimpse into bygone days, and have a wealth of knowledge to share about life in those times. 

At Bolling Hall

The Marquess of Newcastle's Regiment of Foote, part of the Sealed Knot Society, were at Bolling Hall for a 'living history' event, showing people what life was like during the English Civil War in the 1640s.

Bolling Hall was a Royalist base during the Sieges of Bradford in 1642 and 1643. The inhabitants of Bradford, a small settlement at that time, were Puritans who for various reasons supported the Parlimentarians. It's said that the Royalist commander, the Earl of Newcastle, while staying in Bolling Hall, was woken three times by a ghostly girl in white, beseeching him to 'pity poor Bradford'. As a result, the town was spared a massacre by his troops. 

The Sealed Knot Society, founded over 50 years ago, is the largest re-enactment society in Europe. It aims to honour those who died in the many battles of the English Civil War and to educate the public about those wars, and the life and times of people in that period of history. They stage mock battles, and visit schools and museums to show people their costumes, weapons, cooking and household items, all faithfully recreating the period. 

World Heritage Day

Saltaire was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001 and so every year we celebrate 'World Heritage Day'. At one time the celebrations used to be quite innovative and educational, showcasing different aspects of the village's life and history. Lately it's seemed to be much the same every year, and is a mini version of the Saltaire Festival, which happens in September: music, food stalls, a small market and a few folk in costume walking about.  Not much to complain about though, when it happens to fall on a really beautiful spring day. Roberts Park was full of folk enjoying the sunshine. 

I saw advertised that it was a 'steampunk' event and I managed to find this elegant trio, though there didn't seem to be many others dressed up for the occasion. Spiderman was there, gave me a thumbs up! 

It's really hard to avoid busy backgrounds in photos at these kinds of events - and children photobombing! I don't like to show their faces without parental permission, so I try to avoid them. The donkeys were advertised as being 'Blackpool Seaside donkeys', so maybe in the summer they give rides on the beaches. As a child, I used to love having a donkey ride and can still 'feel' the rough fur under my bare legs. These two had towels... not so prickly I suppose.  

Festival crowds

The second weekend of Saltaire Festival really pulls in the crowds. It mainly consists of street food stalls, bars and music. It's less 'local' and much more commercial but, especially when the sun shines as it did on Saturday, it attracts hordes of people. 

Exhibition Road (above) is one long assortment of street food kiosks, sweets and treats, and a few stalls selling jewellery, clothing and trinkets. Caroline Street car park had a large caravan/tent serving alcoholic drinks, with lots of tables and chairs set out on the tarmac, and a small music stage. 

Victoria Road (above and below) had a steady stream of people moving up and down between the village and the park. Unlike previous Festivals, the roads in the village centre were closed to traffic, which made it much safer. These scenes always remind me of the old Edwardian photos you sometimes see, of mill workers hurrying home or bank holiday crowds on their way up to Shipley Glen. 

There was a charity market in the grounds of the church and an art show in the church itself. (Photo taken from the church steps. That's part of Salts Mill in the background.)

However, when it came to getting across to the park, the narrow footbridge across the river (above) was so very crowded that I thought better of joining the crush. Had I crossed, in the park there were more food stalls, a market and a large stage with a weekend-long programme of bands and music. I could even hear the music from the grounds of my flat half a mile away! 

The theory is that it's 'good for Saltaire' to host so many people. The truth is that it doesn't really bring in much extra money for local businesses. (Dig In's food shop and the baker's in the village often have queues outside but they were nearly empty on Saturday, people favouring the plethora of street food stands instead.) It does, no doubt, benefit the local Council who I'm sure charge the traders for their pitches - though someone also has to fork out for security. Roads are closed and it all needs stewarding. It's fun in a way but I much prefer the annual Arts Trail weekend which takes place earlier in the year.

'Pop-ups' - Gharonda Shop

As well as the 'Open Gardens', the first weekend of the Saltaire Festival has a craft fair in the Victoria Hall and lots of 'pop-ups' around the village, where local people can sell their craft items. There were some lovely things - hand knitted 'grannies' (dolls rather than life sized! 😂) were very cute and funny. I was tempted by the handmade scented soaps, though I already have quite a few so I didn't buy as they'd probably have lost their fragrance by the time I got round to using them. One stall had really stylish Scandi-inspired items 'to bring a sense of hygge to your life'. As autumn comes along that sounds very tempting, doesn't it? 

I popped into this tiny yard with the most colourful array of ceramics and fabrics, 'celebrating the rich heritage and cultural tapestry of South Asia'. Talking to the seller, Arooba, she told me she has family and friends in Pakistan and has set up a small business to import and sell curated hand-crafted items in the UK. She had some beautiful quilts, called 'Ralli' - colourful, hand-stitched pieces in vibrant colours and geometric patterns. 

It was the ceramics that attracted me. I love blue and white pottery, so I treated myself to a little decorative dish. I was impressed with the care Arooba took to wrap and present it, and her Instagram page is also very stylishly put together: HERE - @Gharonda.Shop. (I don't really 'do' Insta but I found it anyway!) It says: 'In Urdu, ‘Gharonda’ translates to a ‘nest’ or a ‘small house’ (small is subjective isn’t it?) - essentially evoking feelings of warmth, safety and comfort. It’s about creating a secure + inviting space that feels like home.'

So my little dish has come home with me... another small step in making my new flat feel like a home full of sweet memories and meaningful treasures.  

Arooba was such an engaging and lovely lady  - my best wishes for her new venture, that it goes well and grows to be successful. 

The flower heist

There's always something interesting to see in Saltaire. I'm not really sure why these folks were carrying large flower arrangements up the street. I think it possible that they were members of a wedding party, emptying the church of the wedding flowers (though often the flowers are left in church to adorn the space for the Sunday services.) I'm sure it was entirely legitimate, anyway!  I don't normally take candid shots but it struck me as an image-worthy scene. 

Steampunks

World Heritage Day is always celebrated in Saltaire, which was named a World Heritage Site in 2001. Recognised for its international influence on town planning, it is also considered to be an outstanding example of a mid-nineteenth century model town that demonstrates the social and economic impact of the textile industry.

This year's celebrations included music in the bandstand in Roberts Park, a small market, a funfair, food stalls and, in the evening, a lantern parade. 

There were a few 'steampunks' strolling around, appropriately enough for a location rooted in the mid-nineteenth century. They are usually willing to have their photos taken (and costumed events are about the only time I'm brave enough to photograph people). I admire the detail with which they put their outfits together. I wonder if all the men have to have a beard to be a true steampunk? All of these chaps did, anyway, and one even had 'beard jewellery', which fascinates me. But then, why not? 

I gather there might have been more attendees, except that the day coincided with a big steampunk gathering over on the Yorkshire coast in Whitby. Nevertheless, these folk were all very smart and very photogenic. 

The Poet Laureate

I bought myself a book in Salts Mill - which, in itself, isn't unusual. The bookshop there is such a rich and tempting cornucopia of literary goodies. What made this more exciting was that the author, Simon Armitage, was there doing a book signing. Simon is the current UK Poet Laureate, an honorary position granted by the monarch, on the advice of the Prime Minister. He was appointed to the position in 2019 and will hold it until 2029. The role doesn't have any specific duties but the incumbents generally provide suitable verse for national occasions (which must be quite a daunting task!) You can read Simon's poem for King Charles' Coronation HERE.  I rather like it. 

Simon Armitage was born and lives in Yorkshire, and is Professor of Poetry at Leeds University, amongst other positions. I've read some of his work before but he came to my attention originally when he created the Stanza Stones, in collaboration with the sculptor Pip Hall. They are rocks scattered across our moorlands, inscribed with verse by the poet and forming a sculpture trail of some 47 miles across the high Pennines.  I have been to find a few of them in the past. (See HERE).

St Wilfrid's Procession

Following the brass band and St Wilfrid (see yesterday), Ripon City Morris Dancers and their musicians played and danced their way through the streets. 

I'm not quite sure of the significance to Ripon of 'Tempus Fugit' /'Time Flies' - though of course it does. Anyhow, there was a bunch of ladies dressed as clocks. 

Then a colourful 'yarn-bombed' car:

Next came half a dozen huge and very shiny trucks, pulling decorated floats. They could barely negotiate the sharp bend where I was standing. Each truck represented a different organisation and carried some very excited people, all dressed up and waving. Great fun. 

Among the floats, there was a beach cocktail party:

Some Disney characters celebrating Disney's centenary:

A homage to the superheroes of our various emergency services and NHS staff:

A veterinary group having an 80s themed party:  

 

followed by two roller skaters, who were skating and being towed the whole way round, despite the many bumpy cobblestones! 

There was an incredible American-style truck (quite different from our UK articulated lorries), all shiny chrome and wonderful murals:

Bringing up the rear were some of our emergency services vehicles: a fire engine and this rather wonderful police tractor, appropriately called 'Bobby', used by the police to engage with rural communities in North Yorkshire.  

It was a terrific atmosphere, all the more special for me because I had no idea that it was scheduled and I just happened to arrive in Ripon by chance at the right time, right place. As I said a couple of days ago, it proved to be A Very Good Plan to change the starting point of my walk in order to arrive in Ripon at lunchtime. Serendipity.