Aerial view of Saltaire, 1970s

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There have recently been exhibitions in Bradford and Shipley of photographs from the archive of C H Wood (Charles Harold Wood), now in the permanent collection of Bradford Museums and Galleries at the Industrial Museum. C H Wood started his career as a photographer in 1922 and later set up C H Wood (Bradford) Ltd, providing photographs for industry, commerce and advertising. He worked for most of the big textile, engineering and manufacturing firms in this area and specialised in aerial photography. The company closed down in 2002. The archive is now interesting because it provides a record of how Bradford and the surrounding areas have changed over sixty years.

According to the exhibition catalogue, this photo was taken in 1947 but I am convinced that is a mistake. I think it is more recent - more like the 1970s. Even so, the appearance of the Mill and the surrounding village is not much different today. The old Salts Grammar School at the top has been rebuilt. Below the school, you can see a cricket match in play in Roberts Park, and you can make out the shape of the Half Moon pavilion beside the trees. Saltaire's church, the Victoria Hall and the huge Mill complex are all clearly visible, as is the grid pattern of Saltaire's streets.

For a mini-tour of some more of the archive photos, including some taken inside Salts Mill, please click this link. The exhibition at the Bradford 1 Gallery in Centenary Square continues until August 22.