Knaresborough's new window art celebrates the town's linen heritage

A North Yorkshire town's historic role in the linen trade will be celebrated in a new piece of art.

A painting has been added to Knaresborough's Window Art Trail, paying homage to the town's often overlooked industrial history.

New works by Harrogate-based artist Helen Salmons will be exhibited at Green Dragon Yard, which has strong links to the town's spinning and textile industry.

Claire Gioia, who has researched Knaresborough's forgotten linen trade, said: “Everyone would have worked in this industry, from large manufacturers to families and children.”

Historians believe that Knaresborough's textile industry dates back to Anglo-Saxon times, but the town's linen trade really began in the 1700s.

According to Gioia, in its heyday, every street and house would have seen activity related to linen production.

“In a typical household, the children would be clothed in linen, the women would spin the linen, and the men would weave the linen,” she says.

Gioia added that although the linen trade was a “booming business”, it declined as cotton became more popular and Knaresborough was unable to adapt due to lack of coal and transport.

The Market Town Window Art Trail was first created 16 years ago by community group Renaissance Knaresborough.

This was intended to disguise the brick-clad Georgian windows, which date back to a time when homeowners paid taxes based on the number of windows on their property.

Paintings along the trail already feature famous local figures such as Guy Fawkes, Mother Shipton and Queen Philippa, who was given Knaresborough Castle by her husband Edward III.

More contemporary themes have also been added, including windows depicting the Grande des Pearls of the 2014 Tour de France in Yorkshire.

Over time, the art trail has grown to a collection of 16 painted windows, including works by Postman Pat illustrator Ray Mattimer.

North Yorkshire Council has previously funded the restoration of some of the weathered trail paintings, and the authority has also paid for new artwork.

Knaresborough councilor Hannah Gostrow donated £1,500 from her £10,000 local budget to the window art project.

Last year she donated £600 from her budget to restore two existing paintings on the trail.

She said: “We are thrilled to be able to once again support this trail, which is loved by residents and visitors alike.

“It will become part of our visual heritage, expressing the unique and creative identity of Knaresborough, past and present.

“It’s open to all ages and is an activity in itself and a great way to explore the town.”

Renaissance Knaresborough chair Liz Baxandall said the organization was “extremely grateful” for the financial support.

“Every penny counts to continue this vibrant project that everyone can enjoy,” she said.

Ms Gioia said knowledge of Knaresborough's history as a center for the linen industry had recently been “thrown by the wayside”.

“This very important part of the town's history has been forgotten, and I want the people who live here to see that it shaped the whole town,” she said.

“The buildings, the streets, the things that people see every day are all thanks to the linen industry.”

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