24th – 27th MARCH HEART OF ENGLAND COVENTRY AREA
Although known for Lady Godiva and the bombing of the Cathedral, we will be looking at different aspects of Coventry! The 19th century clock making industry and ribbon weaving areas still survive with traditional workshops and many early houses and shops have also been preserved despite the devastation of World War 2. We will also explore the 20th century car industry in the city as well as the 1950s redevelopment which has to an extent left the city in thrall to the road system and the car! Certainly a different city to explore.
A former watchmaking factory in Coventry
14th – 17th APRIL HAMBURG - the great sea-faring city in Northern Germany. Although we have enjoyed a Safari there before, it was over 10 years ago and the city has changed a great deal especially on the river front. A new area has been created in the 20th century dock area - HafenCity full of homes and work spaces some in spectacular 21st century style. We can see its progress from the late 19th century Kesselhaus, Boiler House, which is currently used as the ‘InfoCentre’. 
Although we will be focussing on the Elbe with the Speicherstadt, the 19th dock area with fabulous warehouses for storing all sorts of exotic goods, and the vehicle tunnels under the river, we will also be looking at the water supply sewage system installed by an Englishman, William Lindley, relatively unknown in his own country but who built water and sewage systems all over Europe. A former decayed water tower at Sternschanze has been transformed into a high class hotel with splendid views over the city.
Further information can be found here - http://bwtas.blogspot.com/2009/04/sternschanze-hamburg-germany-1910.html - at the British Water Tower Appreciation Society's website.
8th – 11th September HALIFAX/HUDDERSFIELD - a two centre City Safari Plus based in Halifax when we will look at the two textile towns, Halifax with its carpet industry and Huddersfield with wool. There are a number of iconic buildings in Halifax which we will visit, including the Piece Hall and the Dean Clough Complex, once home to Crossley carpet manufacture.
We will also be able to have a look at some of the purpose-built industrial housing built by Colonel Ackroyd in Copley and Ackroyden, on the outskirts of Halifax, for his employees. One of the reasons that the Halifax Building Society was founded was to allow his workers to buy their own homes.
In Huddersfield a must-see is the station building erected by 1860 to the plans of James Pigott Pritchett with a statue of the city's famous son, Harold Wilson, outside. Many of the mills have now been converted to other use but can still be viewed especially from the canal towpaths in the centre of the city. Of particular note is a lifting bridge, Engine or Locomotive Bridge, on the Broad Canal which dates back to 1865.
So keep your diaries clear and your eyes peeled for further information!
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