TALKING, walking and joining are key themes of this year's Saltaire World Heritage Weekend which takes place next month.

And a centrepiece of the cultural festival will be the return of a "Conversazione" to celebrate Saltaire Stories: past, present and future in Victoria Hall on Saturday, April, 18.

Conversaziones of the past were meetings for designed for cutting edge chat especially on literary and scientific subjects.

In 1878 the Bell telephone was demonstrated by ringing up and speaking to a servant in Milner Field from Victoria Hall.

And keeping up the tradition of tackling futuristic developments this session will feature displays of 3D printing and scanning, robots and laser engraving by a team from Keighley's Fab Lab project.

The very latest carbon-fibre superbikes will be exhibited by Saltaire's All Terrain Cycles and the modern technology of print making will be revealed by artists from Saltaire Inspired.

There will also be a live video link up with other UNESCO World Heritage sites.

And to introduce a new attraction, students and staff at Shipley College will be showing modern floristry display techniques.

Entry to Victoria Hall is free from 10am to 4pm and there will also be children's activities to keep them contentedly occupied.

Organiser Rob Martin, who hit on revitalising the Conversazione, said the weekend was coming together well.

"It's all a bit nerve-wracking as it starts to get close, but people seem very interested.

"Our vintage high tea event has already sold out and it's going to be a great weekend," Mr Martin said.

"Victoria Hall will be decorated by Shipley College floristry students and so that we can put on the best show possible a “Kickstarter” appeal has been launched for donations towards the cost of materials," Mr Martin said.

Familiar attractions include listening and looking inside Victoria Hall's classic Wurlitzer in Victoria Hall on Saturday and walking down to Roberts Park to see visiting alpacas beside the bandstand and then on to the Glen Tramway for a penny ride.

In the evening Eddie Lawler, the Bard of Saltaire, will present a revue of Saltaire Past Present and Future, performed by talented youngsters from Titus Salt School, and supported by the School Singers of Saltaire Primary School.

Then there will be the “Conversazione DANCE” led by The Sultans of Swing .

Tickets for an “Evening’s Entertainment cost £14.50 and can be purchased from Victoria Hall, Saltaire Bookshop and Rob Martin, robmartin@phonecoop.coop

New activities and old favourites take place outdoors on the Sunday with live alpacas brought to Roberts Park by Jamie Roberts, of Kilnsey Park, the canal boat Kennet moored on the canal by Victoria Road.

Friends of Roberts Park will host an exhibition showing the refurbishment of Roberts Park and there will be music from the bandstand.

A guided, circular walk will take place from the visitor information centre Victoria Road to Milner Field and back, via Saltaire's various waterways and water features.

This event, led by Steve Bottoms, features stories, anecdotes and music to accompany the journey and which invite walker participation.

For more information contact Mr Martin 01274593585 or robmartin@phonecoop.coop

Molly Kenyon 07932146882