SALTAIRE is a fascinating place.

The development of this picture postcard village by the entrepreneur and philanthropist, Sir Titus Salt, who literally built abodes for his workers in the streets surrounding Salts Mill, continues to interest the many visitors who come here to visit the workplace which once contributed to Bradford’s booming textile industry and is now a hub of creativity and culture within this UNESCO World Heritage site.

So the launch of The Saltaire Collection, Saltaire’s volunteer run archive comprising documents and objects recording the history of this industrial village and the lives of those who lived and worked there, being made available - for the first time - online is sure to expand its historical reach.

Until now students, researchers and family historians had to visit the archive based in Shipley College where the archivists who have been working on the project are based. While visitors are still welcome, those wanting to access the archive and see images of Saltaire along with fascinating documents such as maps and portraits of the people who lived there can do so through the convenience of computers and phones.

The collection, cataloguing 6,000 items, has been put together by a team of committed staff including professionals employed through National Lottery Heritage Fund, and volunteers.

In addition to inputting the data on to the website, they are also developing educational work with local schools and colleges.

With requests from visitors to the village and researchers around the world the development of the website has been essential.

While still in progress, it is anticipated the website will be launched on Tuesday (April 9) in the Jonathan Silver building at Shipley College.

Archivist, Anna Bowman, will give an overview of the new website during the event which runs from 6 until 7.30pm.

She explains the collection consists of a mixture of items including photographs, newspaper cuttings, objects, booklets, menus and recipes.

Anna says it is ‘exciting’ they can share these things. “That is the idea of having a collection like this - you can share it with everyone.”

John Briggs, chair of the Saltaire World Heritage Educational Association, a registered charity which manages the collection, said: “Documenting as it does, the history of one of the world’s foremost industrial villages, the Saltaire Collection has always been of worldwide interest. We are delighted that now both text and images will be accessible worldwide for students, researchers and anyone with an interest in Saltaire.”

Anyone with connections to Saltaire’s history or if you have documents, artefacts or stories to share relating to the village, visit facebook.com/saltairestories/ or @SaltaireStories.

To register for a free ticket to the event visit eventbrite.co.uk. Or call 07910 112828.