SALTAIRE is gearing up for its popular World Heritage Weekend which aims to be the talk of the village.

At the heart of this year's cultural festival will be a "Conversazione" event to celebrate Saltaire Stories in Victoria Hall on Saturday.

Conversaziones were historically a common event in the World Heritage Site and were discussions of things new and daring.

And keeping up that tradition 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 bicycles will be exhibited by Saltaire's All Terrain Cycles and the modern technology of print making will be revealed by artists at Saltaire Inspired.

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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 amused and entertained.

Organiser Rob Martin, who hit on bringing back 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," Mr Martin said.

Other attractions include listening to 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 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 Mr Martin, robmartin@phonecoop.coop

Friends of Roberts Park will host an exhibition showing the refurbishment of Roberts Park and there will be music from the bandstand plus the chance to meet some visiting alpacas

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.

For more information contact Mr Martin 01274 593585 or robmartin@phonecoop.coop