A Tribute to

Samuel Laycock

1826 - 1893

This plaque to our local dialect poet is on a stone plinth on the site of the Mechanics Institute on the High Street in Stalybridge (now moved to Hob Hill Mews). Laycock was librarian at the Institute for two years. His poetry presents a vivid impression of mid-nineteenth century working class life. He drew on his personal experience in the cotton industry. His best loved poems are 'Bowton's Yard' and 'Bonny Brid' both written in Stalybridge.