Saltaire - Fishing on the Canal

 

Fishing on the Canal

 

It was a gorgeous day last Sunday for a walk along the canal in Saltaire, not only were the ducks enjoying the water, but the fisherman were lined up every few metres endeavouring to catch the "big" one.

Saltaire Festival 2013

 

Great weekend for the Saltaire Festival in Roberts Park, lots of stalls, people, music, food, beer and most of all "sunshine".

York

 

Out trip to York on 5 May 2013

 

The Romans founded the city of York. They invaded Yorkshire in 71 AD and built a fort between the rivers Ouse and Foss. By the mid 2nd century a small town grew up by the fort. Craftsmen and merchants came to live there because the soldiers in the fort provided a market for their goods and ships could sail up the River Ouse.
The Roman name for York was Eboracum, which may be derived from Celtic words meaning the place with yew trees. By the early 3rd century Roman York was protected by a stone wall. In the town there were public buildings such as a baths. Rich people lived in very comfortable houses with mosaic floors.
However in the 4th century Roman civilisation began to break down. The last Roman soldiers left Britain in 407 AD and afterwards Roman towns were abandoned and they fell into ruins.

After the Romans departed York was probably abandoned or nearly abandoned and the old Roman buildings fell into ruins. There may have been a few people living inside the walls farming the land outside but York ceased to be a town.
In 627 a bishop of York was appointed. A cathedral was built inside the walls of the Roman town and a bishop's palace was probably built there as well. It is possible the local Anglo Saxon king built a royal palace inside the Roman walls.
Then in the 8th and 9th centuries the town of York revived. Its position made it an ideal place for trade and so craftsmen came to live there. They probably started weekly markets and goods such as pottery were brought by ship from Europe. By the middle of the 9th century York was a flourishing town once again. However it was probably much smaller than the Roman town with a population of only about 2,000. It is believed that the town was called Eofer's wic (wic meant trading place). The Danes changed its name to Jorvik.
Then in 866 the Vikings conquered northern England and York became the capital of a new Viking kingdom. Viking York boomed and it grew much larger. In the town wool was woven. There were blacksmiths and potters. Other craftsmen made combs from bone and antler. The Danish word for street was gata, which in time became corrupted to 'gate'. Coppergate was cooper gata.

 

By the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066 York was booming and it probably had a population of 9,000 or 10,000.
William the Conqueror built a wooden castle in York. However in 1069 the north of England rebelled. The Normans in the castle were massacred. However William captured York and sacked it. He also built a second wooden castle to control the town.
In 1190 a horrific massacre took place in York. Jews took refuge in the main castle. Some committed suicide. The townspeople set fire to the castle and the rest were persuaded to surrender but they were murdered anyway. Cliffords Tower was built in the mid-13th century to replace the keep of the main castle which had been burned in 1190.
Then in 1212 King John gave York a charter, which allowed the city self-government.

Doncaster Yorkshire

 

Today 4th May 2013, we visited the City of Doncaster

 

Doncaster was founded approximately 71AD by the Romans who had a fort here , the fort was named Danum . The Romans left England in the 4^th century.

The very first Roman fort in the area(approx 40AD) was located at Rossington Bridge just to the south of Doncaster. Rossington Bridge is locally known as Parrots Corner
Doncaster got its name from the Saxon word ceaster meaning fort and the area being called Don,the area was known as Don Ceaster, as time went on the name was shortened to Doncaster. The Saxons created the first settlement which later became Doncaster.

 

Saltaire Vegetable Swap

Vicars Café

Vegetable Swap

 

Calling green-fingered gardeners!..

 

Convert your Greens to Gorgeous Grub!

 

Swap your fresh produce for Vicars Vouchers in the VEG-EX Scheme.

 

The staff of Vicars Bistro on Victoria Road, Saltaire have come up with a fantastic idea.

They are hoping that their food with a heart scheme will bring together the community of Saltaire, enabling local gardeners, college students studying horticulture and anyone else in the area that my be growing their own vegetables to bring along their excess seasonal produce, and in return receive vouchers which can be spent in the bistro.

 

This young man, dressed as a carrot, was enjoying the sunshine as he walked Victoria Road handing out flyers advertising the vegetable swap.

 

He kindly let me take his photo.

 



Saltaire Heritage Weekend

Saltaire Heritage Weekend

          April 2013                                                                                              April 2013

 

 

The Saltaire Heritage Weekend has come and gone for 2013 and I must say that it did not have the same feel about it this time round. Last year the trees and flowers had begun to bloom and lots of visitors enjoyed the canal and Roberts Park activities.

 

This year, the number of visitors seemed to be lacking and the atmosphere around the canal and the park was rather flat. The trees are still bare and the skies still mostly grey, although we have had a little sunshine over the past few days.

 

Come on summer, it is time to shine in the beautiful Saltaire.

Saltaire - contemplation

 

 

Just happened to catch this couple as they stood quietly beside the canal at Saltaire yesterday. I love the peaceful feeling this image portrays. I wonder what they were thinking about?

24 May 2012

Lots of people taking advantage of the brilliant weather in Roberts Park, Saltaire and partaking of some ales in the Boathouse Inn across the River Aire.

Saltaire Arts Trail

Amanda Glanville, checking her orders for the day at the Saltaire Arts Trail. Amanda had a very impressive display.  She works with luscious jewel-coloured crystals, rare vintage beads, subtle semi precious stones, fabulous coloured enamelled wire and feathers dyed to order.

She offers lots of ideas to suit short and long hair, cute tots to finicky grown ups, themes and colours schemes, showbiz occasions and classic or contemporary weddings.

Affordable and clever solutions for the whole wedding party from Tiaras to Headpieces, Frou Frous to funky Hair Jewels, with matching necklaces, earrings and bracelets.  The tiaras are measured and made to fit, and many can be cleverly worn as necklaces afterwards.

You can see Amanda's work at

www.catstiaras.co.uk

&

www.earringcafe.co.uk

Steampunk

In Quiet Reflection, a photo by Coatsey1 on Flickr.

Steampunk also refers to art, fashion, and design that are informed by the aesthetics of Steampunk literature.  Various modern utilitarian objects have been modded by individual artisans into a pseudo-Victoian mechanical "steampunk" style, and a number of visual and musical artists have been described as steampunk.
This particular lady wore a beautiful black & gold dress.

Steampunk

Steampunk, a photo by Coatsey1 on Flickr.

Steampunk gentleman in Saltaire for World Heritage Weekend.

Steampunk is a genre which came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s and incorporates elements of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, horror, and speculative fiction.  It involves a setting where steam power is widely used - whether in an alternate history such as Victorian Era Britain or "Wild West" - era, United States, or in a post-apocalyptic time; that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy.

World Heritage Weekend

Coatsey1's photostream on Flickr.

World Heritage Weekend

Saltaire 14 April 2012

Lots of activity once again on this gorgeous day in Saltaire.

Very busy on the canal path

Taking exercise with Mum & Dad

Taking a leisurely stroll

Having a bit of a struggle with the bike

Taking advantage of the facilities of the Half Moon Cafe in Roberts Park

Narrow boat "Poppy" showing off its engine compartment