011: Good News for Stoke & Staffordshire π
BCB Studio Opening, DCB Author Party, LVU Block Party, Lunar Art & Wine, Question Time Levelling Up Debate, UNESCO, Portland Inn, Ruff + Ruby, Bottle Kilns, There Is Too Much Good News.
WHATβS ON/THINGS TO DO β
BCB (British Ceramics Biennial) Studio Opening πΊ. 22nd May, 3pm - 6pm. BCB, which is home to the biggest ceramics event in the UK and year round programmes to βmake change through clayβ, has taken a step forward in opening a public-access studio in Stoke. This puts our ceramics heritage on the high street for the public, artists, potters and creatives to come together, share ideas and create with clay. Open to the public and all interested collaborators.
Drop City Books Author Party - Jake Hall, Shoulder to Shoulder π³οΈβπ. 30th May. Marginalised communities have often supported one another in the pursuit of equality and liberation. Maybe we just didnβt know about it. The Black Panthers were in coalition with the Gay Liberation Front in the US and Pride supported miners strikes in the UK. Author Jake Hall is at Drop City Books for the evening to share these stories from his new book Shoulder to Shoulder.
LVU Block Party πͺ© . 18th May. New kids on the block, LVU, are putting on parties that are a welcome change from the typical night out. All about meeting good people, making connections and maybe finding luv, their last event was a huge house party and this one is a block party at a secret location. In a world where nightclubs are struggling, LVU events are a refreshing look to what the future of partying could be. Ages 19 - 30. Text βLvu block partyβ to +447893941791 to get in.
Lunar Art & Wine Society π¨π·. 29th May. Owner of Lost+Found Projects in Burslem, a furniture restoration studio, Iain Archer is sharing his story spanning 30 years in design, fashion and sustainability. Lost+Found and Barewall Art Gallery are gems in Burslem, well worth a visit. This evening looks a great chance to hear Iainβs story amd see some great art paired with wine.
Good News π
Headline ππΌ
BBC Question Time in Stoke. The conversation from ~40 minutes onwards is particularly relevant for our region as the discussion centres around levelling up. It provides a welcome rhetoric that challenges central government policy as opposed to placing all accountability on local government. Much of the narrative by residents and in local media centres around local council blame and this was a timely discussion on the role central government policy has played in Stoke-on-Trentβs challenges and the mirage of levelling up.
Grace Blakeleyβs commentary was particularly insightful and the βPreston, Community Wealth Building modelβ is something Stoke-on-Trent Council had a workshop on this week to take inspiration from. βReal grass roots democracyβ. Sounds good to me.
UK joins UNESCO to Protect Intangible Cultural Heritage. Craftsmanship which is passed down through people, like throwing pots, is in danger and it is now to be recognised, monitored and protected. The UK has ratified a 2003 UNESCO convention. Ceramics expert, Professor Neil Brownsword of Staffordshire University has been influential in this hard-fought and historic campaign to preserve UK craft heritage.
Portland Inn Project Awarded Β£400,000 by Arts Council. This funding will allow the Hanley community revitalise the old pub into an environmentally-friendly community access space. Is this the future of communities? It really feels like it.
Ruff and Ruby Receives Kingβs Award for Voluntary Service. Ruff and Ruby, the youth charity that empowers young people living in disadvantage and poverty in Stoke-on-Trent gets the recognition they deserve for pioneering engaging youth work across the city.
Three Sisters Bottle Kilns Restored in Burslem. These famous kilns have been restored before work begins on a housing estate with 43 affordable homes.
THIS WEEK: GOOD COFFEE GUIDE βοΈ
We asked you to share with us the best coffee spots in Stoke & Staffordshire. We compiled them and youβll get them on Thursday this week.
Food Highlight π―
WARNING π¨ TOO MUCH GOOD NEWS π¨
PROPERTY π‘
ERROR π¨THIS EMAIL IS TOO LONG π¨
KNOT HAVING IT β
FIX π¨THE KNOT 011 CONTINUED TOMORROW 8AM π¨
Iβm not joking. There is too much good news. The Question Time levelling up debate is critically important and needs to be spotlighted. The discussion around regeneration and what βlevelling upβ actually means is vital for our shared future. Iβm personally very pleased to see the government being called out on their claims of levelling up and total accountability being shared across central and local government. The βCommunity Wealth Buildingβ initiative holds promise, as does further devolution.
In all seriousness, there is actually too much news and if this email becomes too long it wonβt make it to your inboxes. Thatβs why this week you will receive The Knot 011 Continued tomorrow at 8am featuring Food, Property and Knot Having It.
Great coverage of The Knot on BBC Radio Stoke (1.26), on the BBC News Website and on A Little Bit of Stone. Itβs been a good week!
Cheers,
James Routledge, Editor of The Knot.
FRIENDS OF THE KNOT ππΌ
Thank you to support from our friends.
Love the good news - ref good coffee shops - Love Coffee ran at the Meir Park Community Centre - ran by volunteers to support and keep the building open - it's an amazing place where all people are truly welcome