Persons and organisations

Ajeeb, Mohammed

Bradford councillor and Lord Mayor in 1985-1986

A new primary school on Albert Road in Saltaire was opened in 1878, its creation supported by husband and wife Titus Salt Junior and Catherine Salt. It has remained a primary school until the present day. When it opened, Children at the Albert Road schools were taught in mixed classes of around 40 children, although boys and girls were still seated in separate halves of the room, and corporal punishment was forbidden. At the time, the Shipley and Saltaire Times reported that people were doubtful whether this new approach to education would work. Shortly after their opening, the same newspaper printed a report on the schools and retracted their earlier criticism.

Anne, Princess

Only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

Baker, John

John Baker was a Clerk of Works at Salts Mill during the early twentieth century when it was owned by Sir James Roberts. He then became Roberts' representative in Saltaire when Salts Mill was sold in 1918. He collected rent for Roberts, gave out pensions and generally looked out for his interests. The Saltaire Collection includes correspondence between Baker and Roberts.

Balgarnie, Robert, Reverend

Robert Balgarnie was a friend of the Salt family for over twenty years. Following the death of Sir Titus Salt in 1876, Balgarnie wrote a biography of the founder of Saltaire, the only biography from a contemporary. Sir Titus Salt was a committed Congregationalist. Balgarnie was a prominent Congregational minister who maintained a close relationship with the Salt family, which allowed him to provide a detailed, firsthand perspective on Salt's philanthropic motivations and business philosophy. While originally written in the 19th century, modern editions (such as a 2003 version with commentary by local historians Barlo and Shaw) remain essential reading for those studying the village's origins.

Bates, Lois

Lois Bates grew up in a large family in Almondbury, Huddersfield, before beginning a career that would shape early years education in Saltaire and beyond. In 1879 she was appointed Mistress of Albert Road Infant School, remaining there for more than fifteen years. Her influential books - 'Saltaire Action Songs' and 'Guessing Games' - helped popularise her Froebelian education methods, many of which were adopted by the Education Department. Children under seven experienced a less formal style of teaching, learning social skills and manners through stories, songs and play. Although she had to give up her teaching career when she married in 1895 , Lois continued to write, producing further works including her 'Kindergarten Guide', now recognised as an important contribution in the history of early-years education.

Beatrice, Princess

Princess Beatrice was the youngest child of Queen Victoria. In 1887 she visited Saltaire with her husband Prince Henry of Battenburg to preside at the opening of the Royal Yorkshire Jubilee, an exhibition to celebrate her mother's silver jubilee, and organised by TItus Salt Junior in honour of his father and to help funding of the new School of Art and Science in the village. The Royal party stayed with Titus Junior and his wife Catherine at thier home of Milner Field.

Bowtell, Albert E

Albert Bowtell worked in the accounts department of Salts Mill for 28 years up to its end as a textile mill in 1985. He was very interested in the history of the textiles business and gave illustrated, entertaining talks on the story of Saltaire. Albert sadly died in 2003 but in 2007 his widow Joyce kindly donated his extensive archive of photographs, original documents, Salts-compay objects and newscuttings. Together, these provide an important insight into the textile industry and Salts Mill. The highlight, perhaps, are over 100 original company photographs of the inside, working mill from the early twentieth century.

Bradford Industrial Museum

The public museum is a former worsted spinning mill in Bradford. It contains permanent displays of textile machinery, steam power, engineering, printing machinery and motor vehicles as a testament ot Bradford's industrial heritage.

Bradford Property Trust

A real estate and property company originally operating in the Bradford area. In 1933 the Bradford Propery Trust purchased most of the houses and shops in Saltaire from the textiles business of Salts (Saltaire) Ltd.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

The Telegraph & Argus is a daily newspaper for the Bradford area.

Briggs, Asa

Leading twentieth century British historian

Byles, Harriet

Harriet Byles (1853–1937) was a prominent progressive educator who served as the second and longest-serving headmistress of the Salt Girls' High School in Saltaire. Appointed in 1886 as the successor to [ Medina Griffiths](https://www.saltairecollection.org/story-of-saltaire/biographies/ medina -griffiths/), she led the school for 34 years until her retirement in 1920. Background and Appointment - Family: She was born into a prominent non-conformist, Liberal-supporting family in Bradford; her father, William Byles, was the proprietor and editor of the *Bradford Observer*. - Early Career: She taught at the Salt Girls' High School under Medina Griffiths before being promoted to headmistress in 1886. Leadership and School Expansion Under Byles' leadership, the school underwent significant growth and modernization: - Physical Expansion: In 1906, due to an increase in student numbers (partly from absorbing a local pupil teacher centre), the school premises were expanded with a second storey, adding three classrooms, a laboratory, and a domestic science room. - Increased Access: In the early years, the school received no government funding, making it difficult for poorer students to attend. Byles successfully obtained scholarships from the West Riding County Council, which allowed more girls from disadvantaged backgrounds to enroll. - University Progression: A considerable number of her students progressed to higher education, particularly the University of Leeds. Educational Philosophy Byles was known for an inclusive and trust-based approach to education: - Individual Potential: She believed in ensuring every girl achieved her full potential, regardless of her future path. She famously supported the view that schools should not just focus on 'clever' students to win successes while neglecting the 'rank and file'. - Corporate Responsibility: She fostered a strong spirit of comradeship and provided students with 'liberty combined with trust,' which she believed developed a high sense of individual and social responsibility. - Successful Alumni: Her students went on to achieve high-ranking positions, including Edith Dolby (headteacher of Bedford Girls Modern School), Dr. Hilda Byles (head of the Women's Hospital in Hankow), and others who became factory inspectors, medical missionaries, and secretaries to the League of Nations. Retirement and Legacy - Parting Gift: Upon her retirement in 1920, her colleagues presented her with a pony and trap, which she used to travel around her new home in the village of Austwick. - Historical Record: In retirement, she wrote a written reminiscence and an account of her time at the school, which the Saltaire Collection identifies as an invaluable source for understanding the history of education during that period. The Saltaire Collection preserves several items related to her tenure, including her letter of thanks for her retirement gift and copies of her school history.

C.H. Wood (Bradford) Ltd

A family-run photographic business founded in 1932 and based in Bradford. Well known for its photography for industry, commerce and advertising. The company was involved in aerial photography of the Bradford district, including Shipley and Saltaire.

Carr, Henry

Henry Carr was a renowned British portrait and landscape artist. Between 1957 and 1959 he painted 14 murals showing the stages of textile production at Salts Mill.

Cattell, Alan

Alan Cattell is a historian and author who has written several books related to Saltaire and the Salt family.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council

The local government authority for the Bradford area which includes Saltaire. The council was formed in 1974 as part of the national local government reorganisation. Saltaire had previously fallen under Shipley Urban District Council.

Clarke, Roger

Roger Clarke is a historian and author who has researched a great deal on Saltaire.

Coates, Colin

Colin Coates is a prolific historian of Saltaire. He has produced hundreds of timelines of people, locations and events related to Saltaire, with information taken from such sources as historical newspapers and census records. Colin has donated this set of documents to the Saltaire Collection.

Collins, John

General manager in the estates division of Illingworth Morris. John worked at the mill for 11 years.

Item set

Items