Saltaire Festival pulls in the crowds in sunshine (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Saltaire Festival pulls in the crowds in sunshine
1:10am Monday 10th September 2012 in News
By Dolores Cowburn, Bradford Chief Reporter
Artists Katie Thornton (from Thornton Designs) seated and Moira Fuller (from Hunt and Gather design) at Saltaire Festival
The September sunshine saw crowds flocking to the opening weekend of Saltaire Festival .
The programme of events included Morris dancers, pottery painting, the Shipley model railway exhibition, Aire Valley arts exhibition, the Makers’ Fair, scuplturing for children, games in the park, and a teddy bears’ picnic.
Festival director Julia Calver said that it had been great so far and acted as a “lovely warm up for next weekend”.
“It is like a village idyll and the weather has been beautiful. People have been very positive and we are expecting 40,000 people over the ten days with the majority coming to the final weekend.
“We want people to come on public transport next week to keep the village flowing.”
Exhibitors at the Makers’ Fair had handmade phone gadgets, paintings, retro vintage lamps, candles and quirky ornaments on display in Victoria Hall.
Exhibitors included Lynsey Searle from Swirly Arts. She makes books and cards out of recycled materials and headed over from Burnley for the event.
“It has gone really well,” she said. “We have had lots of people in which is good and it is great particularly because to exhibit here you need to pass a jury who select you. My objects are modern, quirky and fun.”
Jen Sandiford runs Loglike who make gifts such as organic cotton T-shorts and candles.
“It has been really good,” she said. “I came in May to the fair here and did the arts trail and loved it. It is such a nice atmosphere and I really wanted to come back.”
