The Reading Silk Industry

Not much has been written about it, yet in the first half of the 19th century, around 700 people must have been employed in it.  David Cliffe, BIAG member, grew up in Macclesfield, where for over 250 years thousands were employed in the manufacture of silk.  In this talk he will outline the history of the industry in this country, the various processes and the machinery used, and where in Reading the manufacture was carried out.  He will also talk about the economic conditions which resulted in the rise and fall of the industry in Berkshire.