currency
when i was last in Stroud i heard about the stroud pound. I have been thinking about Stroud cloth as a currency of sorts in the past travelling over the world through trade.
”The Stroud local currency (‘Stroud Pounds’) is an initiative to support and stimulate the local economy. It has been designed to benefit consumers, traders, businesses and local charities.”
“The notes, designed by local artist Ronan Schoemaker and produced by local currency collector Steve Charlwood, are like miniature histories of the economic and cultural life of the Five Valleys. The most prominent local celebrity to feature is Laurie Lee, author of Cider with Rosie, who was born in Stroud and is buried in the Slad Valley. Local wildlife is represented by the rare Adonis Blue butterfly found on Minchinhampton Common. Stroud’s economic heritage is commemorated by the teazle itself, while the lawnmower, invented in Stroud, the green felt cloth that is still made in the town and Thomas the Tank Engine also feature”.
Sonya Clark did an interesting piece with an american banknote (now on exhibit at Taking Time craft and the slow revolution at Innovative Craft Edinburgh)
March 8th, 2010 at 06:28 pm
stroud pound - naturally rhymes. money having been long established as the universal trading tender. the phrase ‘prize money’ (for winning a competitive event) or ‘prized possessions’ (as in the things you listed that are dear to Stroud) . . .in early years of it’s production, the cloth was much more strongly associated with being ‘dear’/expensive