Our History

Memory Lane: Longton in the 1960s

This video takes you on a nostalgic journey down Memory Lane to Longton in the 1960s. You will be taken back to a time of tight-knit communities, bustling high streets and industrial activity in a pottery town in Stoke-on-Trent.

During your trip down Memory Lane you will see a stunning collection of rare photographs that bring Longton’s past to life.

When you have seen the video, please use our Comments Section below to share your memories of Longton with us. Tell us about the schools you attended and your first job. Let us know what you did in your spare time and tell us about your interests and hobbies.

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

Photo Walks in the Staffordshire Moorlands

GRAIN Project’s Autumn 2025 Staffordshire Moorlands Photo Walks

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.

Bygone Kidsgrove

The Trent & Mersey Canal and the Harecastle Tunnels will help to make North Staffordshire’s Industrial Landscape a World Heritage Site.

City Centre: Hanley Past and Present