Not a pretty town, as it is quite industrial in parts, but also very arty. It was very important for the wool trade, as it is served by five valley all fed by streams that could run mills. That and seams of Fuller's earth which was used to clean the wool from the sheep who abounded in the whole Cotswold area (the Cotswold Lion was the traditional breed) made the area perfect for the production of wool cloth, and the scarlet cloth for the British soldiers' uniforms was made here. Red cloth hung in sheets after dying and the rivers ran red from the excess dye. I think cochineal was used, traded from the Americas, not long after the Aztecs were discovered. The yellow cloth for tennis balls is also made there. Many people grew rich in this trade and there are many large houses in the valleys and villages surrounding Stroud. The valleys provide far reaching views and I find it a wonderful place to live. It is in easy reach of "posher" towns like Cirencester, Tetbury and Cheltenham.
Not a pretty town, as it is quite industrial in parts, but also very arty. It was very important for the wool trade, as it is served by five valley all fed by streams that could run mills. That and seams of Fuller's earth which was used to clean the wool from the sheep who abounded in the whole Cotswold area (the Cotswold Lion was the traditional breed) made the area perfect for the production of wool cloth, and the scarlet cloth for the British soldiers' uniforms was made here. Red cloth hung in sheets after dying and the rivers ran red from the excess dye. I think cochineal was used, traded from the Americas, not long after the Aztecs were discovered. The yellow cloth for tennis balls is also made there. Many people grew rich in this trade and there are many large houses in the valleys and villages surrounding Stroud. The valleys provide far reaching views and I find it a wonderful place to live. It is in easy reach of "posher" towns like Cirencester, Tetbury and Cheltenham.
Boredom