Samuel Laycock: A Voice of the Valleys
Updated: Oct 22
Born in Marsden in 1826, Samuel Laycock was a poet of the people, capturing the everyday lives, struggles, humour and resilience of the working communities of Yorkshire and Lancashire.
Writing in the language of ordinary people, his poetry gave a voice to mill workers, families and communities living through a period of enormous social and industrial change.
To mark the bicentenary of his birth, I researched Laycock's life, poetry and legacy. Through painting and drawings, I explored the landscapes and stories that shaped his words, and considers how they continue to resonate today.
I'll be bringing this work together in a small exhibition, Samuel Laycock: A Voice of the Valleys, at Enjoy Art Gallery in Marsden this December.
I hope you'll come along and discover a little more about a remarkable local character whose words still have something to say today.