016: Good News for Stoke & Staffordshire
The Leopard's Future, Cannock Town Centre Development, Tribute to Van Buren Illusionists, Created Academy, What North Staffs Can Learn from Amalfi.
Good News 🎉
The Leopard’s Next Evolution. The historic building in Burslem is set to be re-purposed into flats. The Leopard is a building that epitomises much of Stoke-on-Trent & North Staffordshire history. Dating back to the 1700s, it is famously where Josiah Wedgwood, James Brindley Erasmus Darwin and Thomas Bentley met to discuss the creation of the Trent and Mersey Canal. It was once known as “The Savoy of the North”. It’s been on fire a couple of times in it’s long history, most recently in 2022. Already a Grade II listed building, now there’s an application to change it’s listing to allow for residential development. For this building to have a new life and to stay standing is good news to me.
Cannock Development Work. The next phase of Cannock Town Centre redevelopment has been approved. It’s the latest Staffordshire town to be moving forward with building projects. Similar to those we’ve reported on in Stoke, Newcastle and Stafford, this one looks similar including demolition of unused buildings, mixed-use spaces, office space and better pedestrian access to the town. £8,750,000 will be spent on phase 2 of the project.
Newcastle Mural Pays Tribute to Showbiz Legacy. A new mural in Newcastle-under-Lyme celebrates renowned illusionists and magicians, Fred Van Buren and Connie Greta. They toured the world creating vanishing acts and performing “21st century miracles”. Painted by Ethan Lemon, the mural shines a light on Newcastle’s showbiz history that also includes Philip Astley, the founder of Modern Circus.
Feel Good News. Created Academy, in Hanley, provides specialist education in Music, Art, Design, Creative Digital Media and Sport for young people who are not in mainstream education. Their robotics team has been selected to take part in the First Tech Challenge National Championship at Cambridge University. They’ll compete with the UK’s best school robotics teams in the number 1 robotics competition for young people. You can support them to get there.
KNOT HAVING IT ❌
I’m just back from a holiday in Italy on the Amalfi Coast. I possibly saw more ceramics there in a week than I do in this area in a month and it’s inspired me. All street signs were made from tiles, every corner has some sort of ceramic plaque. Ceramic creators open their studios out onto the street. How can we slap people in the face with our ceramics heritage more? Imagine if every street sign was made from ceramics. Imagine if upcoming potters created ceramic signs for each town centre. Imagine if the big road signs that said “Welcome to Staffordshire” or “Welcome to Stoke-on-Trent” were either made from, or accompanied by ceramic signs that celebrated what our artists are capable of. I see more and more how we can evolve our ceramics heritage into the present, rather than living off the glory of the past.
Editor’s Note
In general I’ve been reflecting on how important this is. Having a regional news outlet really really matters. Credit to Reach PLC, as much as I dislike their style, they provide a service that is needed and their ad-model provides people with some of the news they need. Having good quality news really really matters. Identity, pride, democracy, engagement, economy, confidence, basic information - the list goes on. The Knot existing and reaching more people matters way beyond me and the 1873 people here, it matters to thousands more people and generations to come. How we actually make that happen and establish The Knot as an organisation that can grow, sustain and provide a service to the people of Staffordshire for years to come is where my mind is at.
Cheers,
James
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FRIENDS OF THE KNOT 👋🏼
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What a superb idea about the ceramic road signs, showcasing our heritage and current pottery industry. I believe it would bring with it a sense of pride and exclusivity for the people of our beloved city.