Leek
became important in the 18C & 19C as a silk town, famous
for its shawls, buttons, ribbons, twist and sewing silks, and
for the dye known as "Raven Black", a fashionable colour
after being worn by Queen Victoria in mourning for Prince Albert.
- William Morris,
founder of the Arts & Crafts movement, lived and worked in
Leek from 1875 - 78, and left a significant mark on the art and
architecture of the town.
- A market is
held weekly on the ancient cobbles of the large market square,
complemented by the thriving indoor Butter market.
- The great silk
mills of the last century are still here, now mostly antique
shops, and between the mills you;ll find rows of small specialist
shops.
- The architect
William Sugden designed the many distinctive buildings which
give Leek its characterful appearance.
Left - The "Blackthorn"
wallpaper design of 1892, showing daisies, violets and blackthorn
sprays arranged in a symmetrical structure.
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