Welcome to the Saltaire History Club
by Dave Shaw

[Note from webmaster: this message is posted on the Chat Board and appears here verbatim to give maximum publicity to this event.]

The Saltaire History Club is newly established to further the knowledge and awareness of the history of the village. Open equally and freely to all, the Club holds quarterly meetings in the village. Can’t get to meetings but want to learn more? – then a warm welcome to our Chat Board!Next meeting: Thursday 16 November, 7 p.m. - 9p.m. Shipley College, Exhibition Road, Saltaire. See the OFFICIAL POSTER

Our inaugural meeting is scheduled for Thurs 16 Nov, 2006.
"A Penny for Going" – that’s not a financial inducement to attend, but the title of a book being prepared by Roger Clarke, well-known Saltaire Guide. Roger is documenting Saltaire’s history of retailing in Victoria Road, Gordon Terrace and the rest of the village. Any relevant information which you can bring to the meeting - copies of adverts, receipts, personal recollections of errand-running, or anecdotes about the characters and families who ran the shops, will be greatly appreciated.  Photos and postcards are particularly welcomed. Roger will be showing us what he’s learnt so far.

Now back to our overseas visitors, and an invitation to engage and educate us Brits. Is there anyone out there who knows the origins of the naming of Saltaire on Fire Island, NY, or of other USA sites with the same name? Also Salts Mill in the 19th century opened a plush factory in the eastern States - do any of our friends in the USA have a historical perspective of events relating to that venture? Thirdly, it’s thought that some Salts in Vancouver may have connections with Sir Titus Salt, founder of the World Heritage Site; information on those connections is sought. In mainland Europe there were various mid-19th century textile ventures occurring around the time of Saltaire’s development; exchanges of information on our shared textile heritages are invited.

Enough for now, but please keep in touch to hear the latest news from Saltaire History Club. Meanwhile, to all those activists currently investigating the people and events that together created our Saltaire history – Happy hunting! Dave Shaw