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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.
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- Left - The
"Blackthorn" wallpaper design of 1892, showing daisies,
violets and blackthorn sprays arranged in a symmetrical structure.
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