THE life and times of a world-renowned industrialist, academic and patron of the arts will be celebrated in a major exhibition opening in Leek on Friday.

Running to the end of August, the free event in the Nicholson Institute Art Gallery will turn the spotlight on Sir Thomas Wardle, whose momentous achievements in silk dyeing helped establish Leek's reputation as a prominent textile town.

Born in 1831, Sir Thomas was also an accomplished geologist, palaeontologist and organist who was heavily involved in church music at St Edward's, in Cheddleton, and organised diocese-wide choir competitions.

His wife Lady Elizabeth Wardle founded the internationally acclaimed Leek Embroidery Society that produced a remarkable full-scale replica of the Bayeux Tapestry.

This is now on permanent display at Reading Museum but one of the panels will return to its birthplace for 'Wardle – The Man', the exhibition that is one of several events being staged to mark the centenary of Sir Thomas' death.

Open from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday, Wardle – The Man will showcase exhibits including the Wardle family tree, pictures of working life in the Wardle dye houses of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, plus rarely-seen Wardle correspondence.

The exhibition will also explore Wardle's composition of church music, some of which will be played in the background.

In addition it will focus on his co-operation with William Morris, founder of the world-famous Arts and Crafts Movement, and his international contacts – particularly with the Indian silk industry.

Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the work that resulted in Sir Thomas being knighted in 1897 for his services to the silk industry.

He was also made a Freeman of the City of London in 1903 and admitted to the French Legion of Honour for his innovations in silk dyeing technology.

The exhibition and wider celebrations have been organised by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, John Newall, chairman of the Exhibition Committee, Dr Brenda King, vice-chair of the national Textile Society and local historian and genealogist Cathryn Walton.

The commemoration celebrations have managed to secure Heritage Lottery funding worth £49,600.

Councillor Ben Emery, portfolio holder for arts, culture and tourism at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, said: "We are very proud to be presenting Wardle – The Man at the Nicholson Institute Gallery and would urge everyone to come and see what an inspirational character he was, and delve into the history of his family.

"This is a prestigious event for Leek and Staffordshire Moorlands, and one not to be forgotten."