IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Stockwell Street, LEEK, ST13 9TF

This wonderful window is hidden in a corner to the left of the Image, it features the heads of four philosophers carved in stone and some wise words from a fifth one above. For a more detailed view see Image

Above the Image of the Nicholson Institute are the carvings of four philosophers and a quote from a fifth. From left to right we have: Sir William Shakespeare, playwright, 1564-1616. Sir Isaac Newton, physicist and mathematician, 1642-1721. Sir Joshua Reynolds, artist, 1723-1792. Alfred, Lord Tennyson, poet, 1809-1892. The quote on the plaque above comes from Areopagitica, a prose tract written in 1644 by John Milton for a speech he gave to Parliament on unlicensed printing: "A good book is the precious life-blood of the master spirit, embalmed and treasured up on purpose for a life beyond life". This window must be part of the extension added in 1900 because Tennyson was still alive when the original building was built in 1884.

This attractive 17th century house in Leek is a grade II* listed building. The tower behind belongs to the Nicholson Institute, now Leek Public Library. The Institute was built in 1882

Pictured from Market Street and looking across Stockwell Street. The Grade II Listed ( http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-461707-nicholson-institute-and-leek-college-of- ) Nicholson Institute was built in 1884 and was financed by Joshua Nicholson, a local manufacturer, in memory of Richard Cobden. The institute provided a library, free to anyone living within six miles of Leek, an art gallery, museum and a school of art. In 1900 the building was extended to create a 'Silk and General Technical School'. Today, the Institute still houses the library and also includes a museum and art gallery and part of Leek College.

The steps and door make up the front Image Built in 1884 with money donated by Joshua Nicholson, a local manufacturer, the Institute provided a library and learning facilities. Today it still houses the library and Leek College but also includes a museum and art gallery. For disabled users there is access via the council offices to the rear. For a close-up of the plaque see Image

This intricately carved stone plaque is over the Image Built in 1884 as an educational institute with library, it still houses the library and Leek College with the addition of a museum and art gallery.

Grade 2 listed building. William Morris stayed here 1875-1878 William Morris >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Morris Leek >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leek,_Staffordshire

The building is a Grade-2 Listed site dating back 200 years. It has previously been used as a hotel and pub, a nightclub and as the home of Leek's Textile Workers Union. The building is so well known that it has been known simply as No. 1, Leek. With its gradual decline its importance to the town has been recognised and efforts are being made to preserve it as an art's centre.