Just thought I’d put pen to paper (finger to key?) to say thanks to everyone involved with the Saltaire Arts Trail this weekend gone.

From the moment I arrived to install my work on Friday afternoon, to the pint that was raised in celebration of a fine weekend come Monday evening, the whole affair was magnificent.

The biggest thanks need to be given to Natalie and Jason Ainge, the kind people who gave up their house to me and four other creative types.  Natalie and Jason generously gave the whole bottom floor of their lovely Saltaire home over to the Trail for the weekend, meaning me and the guys could convert their kitchen, dining room and back yard into a make-shift gallery.  To be honest, I couldn’t have asked for better hosts, their enthusiasm for the whole event, and the way they supported me in engaging with the crowds (yes a lot of people came) that passed through their dining room was brilliant.

A mention has to be made of all the lovely people who came to Saltaire across the weekend.  I know the organisers are touting record breaking attendance figures for the three days, something akin to 6500 people, which ain’t bad for a small village outside Bradford on a cold weekend in May.  It seemed like I managed to talk to a good proportion of the visitors over the weekend, hence the pint on the final evening, bit of a dry mouth.  This being my first experience of an Arts Trail I was a little nervous as to what to expect from the visiting hordes.  As it was I needn’t of worried in the slightest, for a happier and more interesting bunch of people you would struggle to meet.  Plus, people seemed to want to part with their hard-earned money for the prints I brought along to sell, which was nice.

The event itself not only encompassed the artistic leanings of many an creative bod, but also offered up some great family entertainment, keeping the kids happy throughout the day which is a neccisity if the grown-ups are going to get any peace,

I guess my final round of thanks needs to go my fellow artists and makers, all of whom made my first time at the