Iron Men
A friend commented that high fired terracotta looked a bit like rusty metal – prompting another journey.
I was born in Lock Lane, Castleford in West Yorkshire. Lock Lane was a few blocks of terraced houses completely surrounded by water – the river Aire and the Aire & Calder Navigation canal. Castleford ( castle by the ford ) was the site of a Roman fort near to where until medieval times the river was forded. As children we all knew the old wives tale of the “iron man” who lived in the river and would take small children who played in such a dangerous place. I now see that as men in armour crossed here for over a thousand years this was probably ancient folklore rather than present day parental intimidation through concern for their children. And so the Iron Man became another path to meander down.
Phase 1.
Phase 2.