Category: NewsDesk

Government Refusing to List Heritage Buildings

The government’s refusal to list historic buildings that Historic England has recommended for listing worries the Victorian Society.

Ignoring Historic England’s advice can erode trust in the listing process and put heritage buildings at risk.   

Historic England recommended listing the part of Medlock Mill in Manchester, which was built in the 1790s or early 1800s. The government refused to list them.

There have been other instances where the government has decided to reject Historic England’s recommendations.

The Victorian Society and similar groups want to see greater public accountability in the way the government makes its decisions.

Moorcroft Pottery Reopens

Moorcroft Pottery in Cobridge, which closed in April, has reopened. Will Moorcroft, who bought the firm and saved it from liquidation, has restarted production. Will, whose grandfather William Moorcroft founded the company, said he was “quite emotional” when the factory started making ware again.

Open Day at Hilderstone Dig

There is a free open day at Stoke-on-Trent Museum Archaeological Society’s dig on Hall Lane, Hilderstone. The whole excavated area will be uncovered and many interesting finds will be on display. The site was originally believed to be the location of a multi-phase house dating from the 17th century. During deeper excavations this year, Roman and Medieval finds have been made. What could have been a ring ditch has been discovered, and it is possible that the site is prehistoric.

The site is open on Sunday, 28 September, from 11 am to 3 pm. Entry is free. Parking is available at Hilderstone Garage, Hall Lane.

Major Regeneration Schemes Will Transform Stafford

Major regeneration projects will transform Stafford town centre.

Staffordshire County Council and Stafford Borough Council are working on schemes to ensure that Stafford will be a place where people want to live and work.

Their projects complement each other and will encourage investment and support the tourist industry.

Stafford’s Market Square and the approach to the Railway Station have already been refurbished.

The borough council is working on major high street regeneration projects including the Guildhall shopping centre.

Staffordshire County Council has started work on its Eastgate regeneration scheme to create leisure facilities and homes in former council buildings.

Both councils are working in partnership to deliver the Stafford Station Gateway scheme which will redevelop land near the railway station.

Celebrating 35 years of friendship with Erlangen

Stoke-on-Trent is celebrating its 35 year old friendship with its twin city Erlangen.

The celebration takes place in October at Commerce House, where there will be stories, student talks and live links to Germany.

For 35 years, Stoke-on-Trent has shared projects, people and ideas with Erlangen.

To find out more and to book your free place, please go to: https://my.staffordshirechambers.co.uk/events-training/event-calendar/stoke-on-trent-erlangen-celebrating-35-years-of-friendship-oct25.html 

A facelift for Longton’s town centre

Longton’s Times Square is getting a facelift. Stoke-on-Trent City Council plans to spend almost £2 million to transform the town centre.

At a recent meeting, the city council’s cabinet members agreed to allocate £1.985 million towards the project, which will improve pedestrian links and reduce traffic congestion.

The work includes pedestrianising Times Square and changing the road system. New paving, railings and lighting will be installed in Baths Passage and Strand Passage as part of the improvements.

Wedgwood to cease production until January 2026.

Wedgwood is ‘pausing production’ at its North Staffordshire factory. Pottery will not be produced at Wedgwood’s Barlaston factory between September 29th 2025 and January 5th 2026.

Wedgwood Factory Tours have also been cancelled between these dates.

The decision has been made before Wedgwood releases its accounts for 2024, which in October.

Lichfield and Burntwood may have to finance Stoke-on-Trent

The government says any proposals to reform local government in Staffordshire must identify and address the financial challenges facing Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

Lichfield and Burntwood could be left with “burden” of Stoke-on-Trent financial challenges under new unitary authority plans

Friday NewsDesk

We have spent most of the week reorganising our filing system and image archive. Several new posts have been put on this site. They include details of services provided by Staffordshire Library and a video about the Armstrong Whitley Bomber.

The Whitley Bomber was one of the many civil and military aircraft designed by John Lloyd.

The Whitley was a Second World War heavy bomber. Built in Coventry, the Whitley was designed by John Lloyd, who grew up in Etruria. Other aircraft designed by John included the experimental flying wing, which ushered in the jet age and helped to create the V Bomber force and Concorde

Sir Morien Morgan, the Director of the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough, said John was one of the 20th century’s leading aeronautical engineers.

John is regarded as one of the 20th century’s leading aircraft designers.

Stoke-on-Trent, the city where he received his education and served an apprenticeship, has refused to recognise his achievements.

We hope you have a relaxing and enjoyable weekend. Take care. We will see you again on Monday.

Heritage Open Days 2025

As in previous years, several hundred industrial heritage sites will be opening their doors for free to the public, whilst dozens more events, from talks to walks, will look at the stories of industrial archaeology, history, and the people involved across England. With the ‘Railway 200’ anniversary celebrations for the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825 culminating at the end of September, it seems appropriate that there are over a hundred railway-related sites and events available this year.

Hundreds of Industrial Sites to Visit for Heritage Open Days 2025