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Harold Crossley Salt was the second son of Titus Jr and Catherine Salt, and was to be the last member of the Salt dynasty to have a street named after him.

Born in 1868, Harold was educated first at Temple Grove and Winchester College and subsequently at Trinity College, Cambridge. The 1891 census reveals Harold (22) to be apprenticed as a worsted spinning manufacturer (with elder brother Gordon (24) similarly employed). It seems likely that both brothers were attached to Salts Mill, and were resolved to be the third generation of the Salt family to be so involved.  The company’s bankruptcy of 1892 would have dramatically ended any such plans.

Harold went on to study for three years at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, before becoming estate manager of Barrington Park, Gloucester. Other talents included his musical prowess on violin and oboe. 

During his time at Barrington Park Harold met his future wife, Grace Pratt, the daughter of a local vicar. Etiquette of the day required their meetings to be chaperoned. Such rules were made to be broken, and Harold took Grace for a spin in his new De Dion Bouton car. Struggling to the top of the steep high street in nearby Burford, the slowly moving car was snapped by a photographer. Harold thought little of it until some time later, when passing a local shop window. He was amazed to see himself, along with the unchaperoned Grace, on postcards featuring the photograph. Reputations were saved by Harold’s quick thinking – he bought the entire stock.

Harold, Grace and family later moved several times, at first to Devon and later to Somerset. His final move was to Cheltenham, where he died, aged 75, in 1943. We are fortunate that in the present day Harold’s son Denys continues to give his all in support of Saltaire.

© Barlo & Shaw