Threadbare: Saltaire Habitat art project

14th January 2023

Arriving early at Salts Mill in Saltaire was an opportunity to explore the exterior area of the colossal stone building. I noticed that a row of arched windows dominate the length of the wall and these were a feature to be found later elsewhere in all the surrounding houses.

Small square doors positioned high on the walls and cubby holes invite my wonder as to what purpose they served when the mill was in operation.

The green on the stone was a striking colour accent in this space of limited light that caught my eye also.

"On stone and timber features lichens and moss can be very attractive and give a mature look to the garden. Such growths do not harm the surfaces on which they grow, and are a natural part of the garden ecosystem.

Where growths of algae, moss, lichens and liverworts present no hazard, such as on stone sculptures and features, gardeners are encouraged to allow them to flourish. Their appearance signifies a mature garden, blends in harsh stonework to the environment, and adds to the biodiversity of the garden. Indeed, in rural areas it is possible that gardens could harbour very rare species of lichen." (RHS website on Algae, Lichens and Liverworts)

The Canalside Allotments

A group visit to the canalside allotments was led by Peter. (via a brief stop at the church where Sir Titus Salt is buried.)

The allotments clearly provide an outdoor, 'natural' habitat for all kinds of creatures, plants and people and here I noticed many containers and contained spaces to support everything and everyone that uses
this area. There were sheds, greenhouses, plant containers, water containers, bird boxes, beehive boxes. All of which were segregated by wooden fences of different designs or hedges.