Category: Stoke-on-Trent

North Staffordshire and the Battle of Britain

Monday, 15th September, was Battle of Britain Day.

It’s the day we pay tribute to the courage of the pilots who, fighting against overwhelming odds, won the battle. We also remember members of the armed forces killed in action and the civilians who died when enemy bombs fell on British towns and cities.

The role North Staffordshire played in the battle must not be underestimated. RAF pilots were trained at Meir. Firefighters from the Potteries were sent to help their colleagues in Coventry when it was bombed.

Two of the world’s leading aircraft designers, John Lloyd and Reginald Mitchell, grew up in the Potteries. Both men were educated at Hanley High School and served their engineering apprenticeships with local firms.

John Lloyd designed the Whitley, a heavy bomber. During the Battle of Britain the Whitley bombed and destroyed strategic targets in Germany and Italy.

The Spitfire, designed by Reginald Mitchell, became a living legend. It was the aircraft that gave Britain its Finest Hour and saved the world from Nazi domination.

Went the day well?
We died and never knew.
But, well or ill,
Freedom, we died for you.

Barry Winter, a popular lecturer from the Potteries

My cousin, Barry Winter, died recently. He was the loveliest person you could hope to meet. He was born in Stoke-on-Trent, the only child of my dad’s older brother, Clifford, and his wife, Fay, market traders in the Tunstall and Hanley markets.

Barry Winter was a father figure to so many

Josiah Wedgwood (1769-1843): From Pottery to Politics

Josiah Wedgwood (1769-1843) was the second son and namesake of the famous potter and inventor, Josiah Wedgwood (1730-95). He followed his father as head of the family’s pottery manufacturing firm, based at Etruria near Stoke-on-Trent. Although he was the second son and had lived as a country gentleman in Dorset before his father’s death, taking little interest in the business, its management fell to him because of his older brother’s ‘chronic incompetence’ and his younger brother’s death.

Josiah Wedgwood (1769-1843): from pottery to politics

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

Memory Lane: Longton’s Historic Beerhouses

This community-made film takes a light-hearted look at historic Beerhouses in Longton and their links with the Pottery Industry.

When you have watched the video, please use our Comments Section below to share your memories of Longton’s Beerhouses and Public Houses with us. Tell us the stories your father and your grandfather told you about them. Let us know which was your favourite public house. Tell why you liked it and the traditional games you played there with your friends.

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.

City Centre: Hanley Past and Present

Stoke-on-Trent’s Remaining Bottle Ovens

About half of Stoke-on-Trent’s remaining bottle ovens are featured in this short video.

A bottle oven or bottle kiln was a type of kiln used in the ceramic industry. For many years, Stoke-on-Trent’s bottle ovens and kilns symbolised our industrial heritage.

Some were built in the late 18th century. Many were built in the 19th century and a few in the 20th. They remind us that Stoke-on-Trent was once the centre of the world’s pottery industry.

Only 47 bottle ovens are left. They are all listed buildings. Longton has more than any town in the Potteries. Stoke-on-Trent’s remaining bottle ovens will help to make North Staffordshire’s Industrial Landscape a World Heritage Site.

Tunstall News: Stallholders needed for Spooky Market and Halloween Ball

Tunstall Town Centre Community Association needs stallholders for its Spooky Market and Danse Macabre Halloween Ball.

If you would like to have a stall there, please email TUNSTALLTCCA@GMAIL.COM

Tunstall News: Widespread Support for Town Centre Scheme

There is widespread public support in Tunstall for Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s proposed multi-million-pound scheme to change the character of the town centre.

A public consultation was held recently. Seventy-six per cent of the people who took part in it believe the changes proposed for High Street, Tower Square, Butterfield Place and The Boulevard will benefit the town and make it more attractive.

The proposed changes are designed to improve accessibility, attractiveness and sustainability, while celebrating Tunstall’s distinct heritage.

The two most popular proposals were those for Tower Square and Butterfield Place. Plans for Tower Square include planting new trees, laying new paving and providing new seating. The existing parking spaces will be removed, and new parking facilities will be created behind the clock tower. There will be room for an outdoor market in Butterfield Place and a green space where children can play.

Many people want to see the High Street improved.

Proposals for High Street include widening the pavements around the town hall and reducing traffic speed to 20mph to make the area safer and more attractive.

Councillor Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said the proposals were part of a package of measures aimed at improving the town centre.

The improvements will cost £4.6 million. The council hopes to start work on the project early next year.