Stoke-On-Trent History

Stoke-on-Trent is comprised of six separate towns: Tunstall, Burslem, Hanley, Longton and Fenton – and was formed when ‘The Six Towns Federation’ took effect in 1910. Each one of these has been treated as an ancient parish since that time.

Work that began as temporary solutions gradually led to the formation of new civil and ecclesiastical parishes and urban districts.

The Potteries

At its height, England’s Potteries was its primary producer of china and earthenware, producing world-renowned manufacturers like Wedgwood and Minton. Additionally, its canal system brought raw materials in from outside while finished goods left for exportation; this greatly decreased costs while eliminating breakage that occurred when transported over unpaved local roads by packhorses.

The Potteries boast several museums devoted to ceramics production and tours of several factories; while it would be impossible to see and experience everything on one short visit, there is plenty to see and do here.

One of the most interesting is Etruria Industrial Museum, featuring Jesse Shirley’s Bone and Flint Mill. As one of Britain’s largest museums dedicated to an individual potter, there are some amazing pieces on display here. Additionally, be sure to visit Gladstone Museum which focuses on Stoke-on-Trent’s history while housing an incredible collection of Staffordshire porcelain.

Walking around the city will reveal many old factories and there are plenty of opportunities to buy ceramics – in fact, many shops display china created by famous potters from years gone by! You could even try your hand at throwing pots on a potter’s wheel!

The Potteries has its own dialect, and learning its words like “nesh” or “slat” is part of being from there. Knowing their correct pronunciation is part of being part of this area.

As much as manufacturing has decreased over time, its presence is still an integral part of life for those in this region. Musicians and writers frequently reference it in popular culture – an indication of its continued relevance in our globalized world.

Emma Bridgewater and other artists/designers such as Matthew Deakin are located in The Potteries. Even musicians such as Gorillaz member Murdoc Niccals has claimed to come from Tunstall (he can be seen there in his song ‘Pink India’ video). To gain some insight into its culture and history, take a look back to 1901 census pages where you’ll find such notables as Clarice Cliffe living at 19 Meir Street.

The Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution had a profound effect on Stoke-on-Trent’s economic history. The region quickly became famous for pottery production with Royal Doulton, Dudson, Spode (founded by Josiah Spode), Wedgwood and Minton all flourishing here. Additionally, other industries like brick, glass steel and coal took root there as well.

As the Industrial Revolution occurred, London witnessed an exponential population surge; by 1800 its area had become well served by turnpiked roads which provided for rapid industrial expansion – turning London into a global center of pottery production.

Potteries were often cramped, dark, and noisy; however, with the introduction of improved machinery in the late 18th century came more efficient production methods which led to reduced workforce numbers and an increase in productivity. Unfortunately, improved machinery also brought with it new working conditions and abuses; for example mechanization enabled workers to work longer hours for lower wages leading to opposition by groups such as Luddites.

During the Industrial Revolution, numerous religious reform movements also gained in prominence. The Evangelical movement was particularly strong in the Potteries with open air meetings taking place at Mow Cop on the Staffordshire/Cheshire border. Hugh Bourne also established Primitive Methodists in Stoke-on-Trent during this time, advocating Sunday schools, equal pay for men and women as well as being active in temperance movements.

Though Nottingham has experienced political upheaval, it has since emerged as a bustling business center, boasting many well-known companies like Bet365 (founded by Peter Coates) and Phones4U (established by John Madejski). Nottingham is also one of a small number of English cities to have elected mayors; although their office was recently abolished following a referendum vote.

Hanley is also famous for its vibrant nightlife scene, boasting numerous pubs, bars and clubs in its downtown. Musically speaking, singer-songwriter Billy Bragg often mentions Hanley while Stephen Malkmus mentions it in his song titled “Pink India”. Furthermore, it is home to actor Sir Ben Kingsley.

The Phoenix Trust

The Phoenix Trust, an independent non-profit foundation, is campaigning to designate Stoke-on-Trent and the North Staffordshire coalfield – including Longton and Fenton – as a World Heritage Site. They cite its historic economic importance, its role as the birthplace of Primitive Methodism, and as one of the key industrial centres in Europe as justification.

Stoke was initially an amalgamation of six distinct localities: Hanley, Burslem (known as the’mother town’), Tunstall, Longton and Fenton. It became part of the City of Stoke-on-Trent in 1910.

In the 19th century, Stoke-on-Trent’s urban district covered a much wider area from Fowlea Brook in the west to Scotia Brook in the east; in comparison, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Wolstanton both comprised single towns/boroughs with more limited coverage.

Arnold Bennett was living in Hanley at this time and used its locations as settings for many of his novels, drawing upon their namesakes such as Shawport to form Longport or Fenton to become Hanbridge in his writings.

Stoke-on-Trent’s fortunes deteriorated significantly during the 1980s and 90s as manufacturing in Britain declined, leading to numerous factory closings, steelworks closures, collieries closures and potteries shutting down, leaving thousands out of work.

Today, Hanley’s economic focus lies on services and high-tech industries that have established themselves there. Additionally, new shopping centres such as Potteries Shopping Centre in Hanley and Wedgwood Museum in Barlaston have opened for business; further attractions include Festival Park entertainment complex and Wedgwood Institute of Design and Technology located there.

Longton offers an abundance of schools, such as Sir Thomas Boughey Academy in Hanley, Ysbytynia Academy, Discovery Academy, Excel Academy Haywood Academy Ormiston Horizon Academy St Joseph’s Catholic Academy as well as City College Longton. Additionally, The Sentinel is published locally as well as several radio stations such as BBC Radio Stoke and 6 Towns Radio that broadcast locally.

The City of Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke-on-Trent lies approximately midway between Manchester and Birmingham and borders Newcastle-under-Lyme town and borough. Situated along the upper reaches of River Trent in the foothills of Pennine mountains in southern West Foothills of Pennines. Bounded to its east by Peak District National Park as well as parts of Greater Manchester, Derbyshire, Cheshire.

Coal mining was an integral component of Stoke-on-Trent’s economy until nationalisation in 1947, employing thousands of men at Hanley Deep Pit, Trentham Superpit (formerly Hem Heath, Stafford and Florence Collieries), Fenton Glebe, Silverdale Victoria Mossfield Parkhall Norton Chatterley Whitfield Wolstanton Fenton Glebe Fenton Glebe Fenton Glebe Fenton Glebe Glebe Glebe Fenton Glebe Fenton Glebe Fenton Glebe Fenton Glebe Fenton Glebe Fenton Glebe Fenton Glebe Fenton Glebe Silverdale Silverdale Victoria Mossfield Parkhall Norton Chatterley Whitfield Wolstanton today few coal mines remain active, although several coal power stations still remain active.

Architecture in The City is intimately tied to its industrial past. Bottle ovens, canal-side mill buildings and railway-related mill, factory or warehouse structures were developed within each of the six towns’ dense street patterns – evidenced by Etruria Industrial Museum on Caldon Canal and Gladstone Pottery Museum within an old potbank in Longton – reflecting this history. These institutions include Hanley’s Potteries Museum & Art Gallery; Etruria Industrial Museum on Caldon Canal; Gladstone Pottery Museum at Longton; all reflect this past era; Etruria Industrial Museum on Caldon Canal and Gladstone Pottery Museum within former potbank Longton are testaments of this rich past history – reflecting this history with various forms remembrance of longgone potbanks that exist today – reflecting all three cultures! All three museums represent this aspect of Longton’s rich pottery history through various displays which exist. The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery located at Hanley; Etruria Industrial Museum along the Caldon Canal as well as Gladstone Pottery Museum situated within former potbank Longton all reflect its past.

Many notable people have connections with Stoke-on-Trent, such as television presenter Frank Bough, known for hosting Nationwide and Breakfast Time; actress Anthea Turner (best known for playing Vera on BBC soap opera Emmerdale); Nick Hancock who hosted comedy quiz shows They Think It’s All Over and Room 101; singer/songwriter Carl De Marco whose hits include The Thrill of It All and Don’t Wake Me Up as well as master illusionist Andrew Van Buren.

The City is also home to two professional football clubs: Stoke City was established in 1863 and remains one of England’s two oldest league clubs today, playing their games at Bet365 Stadium since 1997. On an amateur level, Dresden United disbanded prior to becoming part of Norton United; Meir KA began operation in 1972 before later merging with them.