Stoke-On-Trent History
Stoke-on-Trent is a city made up of several towns whose original parishial structures have been replaced by complex systems of civil governance, thus blurring their distinction. This article treats Hanley, Burslem, Tunstall, Fenton and Longton as though they were one parish.
The famous pottery-producing region of Staffordshire known as The Potteries boasts an extraordinary culture and heritage. Established as a city in 1910 through federating six separate districts with Hanley as the primary commercial centre, its inhabitants enjoy a vibrant social life as well as abundant outdoor pursuits.
History of the Potteries
Stoke-on-Trent is a polycentric urban area comprised of six towns: Burslem, Hanley, Fenton, Longton and Tunstall – that developed around their respective mineral resources of coal, iron and clay. Stoke-on-Trent boasts an important manufacturing industry that produces ceramics of unrivalled quality in its factories. As such, its ceramic factories are known worldwide. Among other attractions, Stoke-on-Trent boasts the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery as well as Gladstone Pottery Museum inside former factories along Caldon Canal alongside Moorcroft Heritage Visitor Centre to learn about its rich pottery history!
In England’s 19th Century Potteries became one of the country’s leading pottery industries; also serving as one of the country’s two main export activities behind cotton and tea. Employing many people – some workers were paid 30-40 shillings weekly while working 72 hour weeks! As a result, its population rose exponentially from 6,500 in 1740 to over 200,000 by 1860.
Modern Stoke-on-Trent is a centre for services, distribution, manufacturing, financial services and retail industries. Michelin Tyre Company of Great Britain maintains its UK Headquarters here while nearby RAF Meir houses their Combined Training Centre for all of Britain. Furthermore, Stoke has an active financial sector as well as home to one of the region’s biggest retail malls.
Early 20th-century London saw a cultural revolution that would profoundly impact British arts and culture. A group of young female potters led by Clarice Cliffe produced modernistic and abstract works which subverted traditional British pottery conventions – sparking off what would eventually become the Arts and Crafts Movement and changing how pottery was perceived worldwide.
City council and mayor together govern the city. Mike Wolfe served from 2002 to 2005 as directly-elected mayor until being replaced by Labour Party member Mark Meredith until it was abolished through a referendum vote in 2008. Schools within the city are overseen by City Educational Trust which also administers several closed or merged high schools.
History of the City of Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent is located in Staffordshire, England and serves as the center of an industrial area known as The Potteries where ceramics have been produced for over 300 years. Other industries in the city include metalworking, glass making and rubber production. With approximately 258,000 people as its population it is bordered by Newcastle-under-Lyme, Alsager Kidsgrove Biddulph and Biddulph with several laboratories dedicated to Ceramic Technology research available at Staffordshire University founded 1970 that provide programs in this field.
Burslem was formed in 1910 by the unification of six towns: Burslem, Fenton, Hanley, Longton, Stoke-upon-Trent and Tunstall; these had evolved from small hilltop villages into vibrant industrial centres due to nearby coal, iron or clay resources. Due to industrialisation within the city’s core areas such as Norton-in-the-Moors, Smallthorne Meir Weston Coyney. Also located within its borders was North Staffs Mines Rescue Brigade which later evolved into the national Civil Defence Force division within RAF’s ranks.
Hanley became famous during the 18th and 19th centuries as a major producer of pottery. Arnold Bennett famously described Hanley as being “a potter’s paradise”, while one of its founders – Josiah Wedgwood (who helped pioneer English porcelain manufacture) resided for some time there as well.
During World War II, Stoke-on-Trent’s industries were dedicated to producing weapons and military hardware for use on both sides. Reginald Mitchell of Stoke-on-Trent designed the iconic Spitfire aircraft which now rests in Green Lane Cemetery.
At present, Stoke-on-Trent boasts several museums and art galleries as well as being home to the internationally acclaimed Staffordshire Hoard. Stoke-on-Trent Central railway station serves the city, while Leek Road bus station also provides transport options.
City residents enjoy access to numerous recreational facilities, from parks and gardens, leisure centres and sports complexes in Hanley. Major facilities include Burslem Park – at 22 acres it is the largest registered Victorian park in Britain – and Hartshill Park with its Site of Special Scientific Interest canyons. Furthermore there is a sports complex in Hanley and an 1,603-seat Regent Theatre for entertainment purposes.
The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery
The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery (abbreviated as PMAG) is located in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England and serves as a city and unitary authority area known for its ceramic industry; also referred to as The Potteries; as well as being one of the largest settlements in English Midlands with Newcastle-under-Lyme immediately to its north. Although best known as home to The Potteries it boasts other industries including tire production.
The Museum combines art and pottery collections, with pottery serving as its central theme. Its collections span prehistoric and ancient ceramics; contemporary artwork by Bernard Leach and Michael Cardew is featured; temporary exhibitions are hosted here too.
Ceramics remain an integral part of contemporary life in Waterford City. Many former factories are now open as museums; while Middleport Pottery continues its production using similar methods as its forebears – though now with gas or electric kilns instead of wood burning ones. Other notable manufacturers in Waterford include: Waterford Wedgwood Royal Doulton; Portmeirion Burleigh Churchill Endeka Johnson Tiles Dudson etc.
Although Stoke-on-Trent is composed of multiple towns, it still maintains its identity due to being created from six towns: Hanley, Burslem, Fenton, Longton and Tunstall. Each had their own local government before amalgamating into one central administration in 1910 as the City of Stoke-on-Trent.
Hanley and Tunstall in particular have established themselves online; there is even a website devoted to both areas, as well as to the Potteries Museum itself. All this in addition to city council websites run by tourism boards, museum groups, community organisations and Pits n Pots; these form an impressive web presence within Hanley n Pots alone!
Wedgwood Museum
Josiah Wedgwood’s legacy lives on in Stoke-on-Trent and beyond, but his museum stands as perhaps the greatest testament to his genius. At an era when industrialization of pottery transformed it from cottage craft into international industry, Wedgwood was its most well-known face. His factory site at Etruria served not only as production but also showcased many of their most esteemed designs and collections – today this site houses an outstanding museum!
The museum collection documents over 260 years of the Wedgwood business and serves as one of the finest examples of an industrial archive. Additionally, its changing tastes and fashions in ceramic design is captured here; Wedgwood was known for his keen sense of style which allowed his firm to respond to major events in intellectual history such as English Enlightenment; French Revolutions; and the campaign against slavery through ceramic artifacts.
The exhibitions at Wedgwood are organized according to theme rather than chronology, offering something of interest for everyone here. Early displays of Wedgwood’s neoclassical jasperware with its dramatic black and white patterns are particularly captivating; 20th century exhibits reveal just how influential the company was in shaping modern trends for tableware production and consumption. Visitors should plan to spend at least two or more hours here exploring the evolution of fine bone china from early days through to contemporary designs from artists such as Eduardo Paolozzi and Eric Ravilious.
As you browse the museum’s remarkable collection, take a break to enjoy an exquisite lunch in either the cafe or restaurant. Choose from delicious local foods like the Ploughman’s Lunch — an irresistibly satisfying combination of cheese, charcuterie, chutney, pickle and perfectly toasted bread — or indulge in Welsh Rarebit (grilled version of melted cheese on toast).
The Wedgwood Museum is open daily from 10am-4pm with extended hours on Sunday. Admission to the museum is free; however there may be a small charge for visiting its gift shop. Group bookings and corporate events can also be hosted here – our 180 square meter Education suite makes for a fantastic venue for presentations, dining events or entertaining your clients!
