Sister cities of Leek, Staffordshire

Leek is a market town in the county of Staffordshire, England, on the River Churnet. It is situated about 10 miles (15 km) NE of Stoke-on-Trent. It is an ancient borough and was granted its royal charter in 1214.

It is the administrative centre for the Staffordshire Moorlands District Council. King John granted Ranulph de Blondeville, 6th Earl of Chester, the right to hold a weekly Wednesday market and an annual seven-day fair in Leek in 1207.

Leek's coat of arms is made up of a Saltire Shield. On the top is the Staffordshire Knot, either side is the famous Leek "Double Sunset" and below a gold garb. The crest is a mural crown with three Mulberry leaves on a Mount of Heather on top of which a Moorcock is resting his claw on a small-weave Shuttle. The motto 'ARTE FAVENTE NIL DESPERANDUM' translates to: Our skill assisting us, we have no cause for despair. The Coat of Arms was granted on 7 May 1956. In recent years has become home to a large branch of the UK roundabout appreciation society.