Record attendances of over four hundred at the Archive Exhibition have rewarded the efforts of Julie Woodward and her staff at the Shipley College Resource Centre.

A major attraction was the film of the Works Trip to Blackpool in 1953, and many local residents were able to identify individual trippers for the Archive, writes Roger Clarke. Skilled camera work captured the relaxed holiday antics of the workforce, while “management” enjoyed a more restrained and formal celebration.

The “Echoes of the Stones” video about Milner Field mansion, was played at the other end of the Exhibition, and in between were pictures, photos, census records, plans and drawings, depicting the Victorian origins of the Mill and Village and their history to the present day. The Saltaire Archive includes original drawings of  Sir Titus Salt as a boy, Salt family portraits and photographs, pieces from a dinner service used during a Royal visit in 1882 and pictures of Milner Field, Titus Salt Junior's famous home. This collection of memorabilia and artefacts is normally kept carefully stored away, so it's a great opportunity for those who are interested in Saltaire history.

Many of these records and artefacts have been donated by members of the Salt family, but equally there have been generous gifts of memorabilia and photos from the general public.  Exhibition visitors also brought in photos, documents and artefacts to add to the Archive and plans are afoot to bring out even more for display next year.

There was pressure again from the public to make the Exhibition a permanent feature.  

Roger Clarke