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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Paisley
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(76,000 in 1991) Town just to the west of Glasgow which grew up round an abbey founded in the 12C. Its wider reputation derives from the 19C when it produced soft woollen plaids and printed cottons in the famous paisley pattern. Although usually described as a 'pine cone' motif, the essential characteristic of the pattern is a repeated oval with a curving top, made up of floral and leaf-like details. It was copied from Kashmiri shawls brought back from India by British soldiers. Paisley remains one of the world's leading producers of cotton thread. The Museum and Art Gallery was founded by the Coats family, leading Paisley threadmakers, and was opened in a succession of buildings from 1867 to 1904; in addition to a good collection of paintings by Scottish artists, there is an extensive historical display of Paisley shawls.
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