017: What's On Stoke & Staffordshire

Artisan markets galore to visit, award-winning artworks to see, a retro car show debut for Newcastle and remembering Stoke's pub scene in the 70s…

This week, The Knot is brought to you by Unspun. Staffordshire-based CBD brand founded by Joe and Gemma.

WHAT’S ON/THINGS TO DO ✅

HIGHLIGHTED ⬇️ (FULL EVENTS LISTINGS BELOW)

• Artisan Market Round Up. Various dates and times. Want to shop local? Check out local makers and bakers at Middleport Artisan Markets (28-29/09, 10-4pm) for homeware, cool gift ideas, original art and homemade treats and Middleport Ceramic, Craft & Art Festival (02/11) where you’ll see local and national ceramic and craft artists displaying their work. Next month, there’s the Potteries Artisan Hallowe’en Special (26/10) showcasing local makers and creators plus some family-friendly fun in Hanley town centre. Then there’s the Artisan and Cultural Fair market in Longton Exchange Precinct (12/10, 23/11 & 14/12, 10-4pm), the first of which will be channeling autumnal vibes. Want more? Get along to Wedgwood’s outdoor courtyard markets (13/10 and 10/11, 10-4pm).

Shop local at these upcoming artisan fairs. Pic: Longton Artisan Fair/Facebook

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• See Award-winning Artworks for Free. Until 26/10, Fri & Sats, 11am-3pm, Newcastle Common. There are a host of amazing artists right on our doorstep, as evidenced by the pieces on show at the Featured exhibition at Newcastle Common. A collaboration between local arts orgnanisation Appetite and Arts Keele, Featured is a collection of intriguing artworks from artists that were part of this year’s Three Counties Exhibition, which featured artists from Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire. There’s paintings, photography, prints, textiles, collages and ceramics by artists from across the region. “Featured is such a special show that casts a focus on award-winning artists from the local area: it’s really not to be missed,” says Appetite’s Tash Gillmore. Admission free.

  

  Take Up Space by Kim Hargreaves. Pic: Jenny Harper Photography

• Revving Up in Newcastle: Classic & Retro Car Show. 26/10, 10am-4pm, The Iron Market. Newcastle is poised to welcome petrol heads to its first-ever classic and retro vehicle show next month, with ‘50s classics, hot rods and more to see. Car enthusiasts can admire beautifully restored models, chat with fellow collectors, enjoy some retro tunes from the 60s through to the 90s and check out auto jumble sales at Castle Classics, says Charlie Machin from Null BID. “There will also be a show and shine with prizes for the winners,” she adds. Admission free, exhibitors £4, stalls for auto jumble and car clubs, £20.

From restored minis to military vehicles, Castle Classics has got it all

• Remembering the Pub of the ‘70s. Until mid Nov 24, 9.30am-3.30pm, The Glost House. Feeling nostalgic for old boozers? A set of black and white photographs taken by local snapper Paul Sherratt one afternoon in 1970 at the George & Dragon pub in Longton are now on display at indie cafe bar The Glost House at Phoenix Works. The pics of the Heathcote Road pub capture a different era, where men wore ties, overcoats and trilbies, women looked like Hilda Ogden, tables were topped with tankards and everyone smoked. While there are no plans to sell the pictures, “if someone asked, I’m sure that could be accommodated,” says Sherratt. Follow Paul on X to see what else he’s up to. Admission free.

The pub of a bygone era captured by local snapper Paul Sherratt

EVENTS LISTINGS

• Potteries Centre Events Series, ongoing, Potteries Centre

• Throw a Pot Sessions, ongoing, LoveClay

• Guided Walks in the Peak District, Various, Multiple (Peak District)

• Titanic Brewery Tour, Multiple Dates, Titanic Brewery

• Spitfire Comedy Open Mic, Multiple Dates, Old Post Office, Burslem

• Electric Tentacle Electronic Music Open Mic, Multiple Dates, Captain’s Bar

• Oktoberfest, until 29/09, Alton Towers

• Pots & Prosecco, until 26/10, World of Wedgwood

• An Inspector Calls, 25-28/09, Regent Theatre

• Katherine Ryan, 28/09, Victoria Hall

• Bright Lights Over Bentilee, 27/09-12/10, Claybody Theatre

• Middleport Artisan Autumn Market, 28-29/09, Middleport Pottery

• Beatrix Potter & Friends, 28/09, Potteries Museum & Art Gallery

• Oktoberfest, 28/09, Factory Floor, the Quarter at Potbank

• Potters ‘Arf, 29/09

• Open Weekend Stockton Book Waterworks, 27-28/09

• Edward Scissorhands, 29/09-03/10, Mitchell Arts Centre

• Banjos and Bottom Knockers, 03/10-05/10, Middleport Pottery

• Spooktacular Hallowe’en, 04/10-03/11, Drayton Manor Resort

• Stoke-on-Trent Symphony Orchestra, 05/10, Kings Hall

• Cranford, 08-12/10, Stoke Repertory Theatre

• We’re Not Going Back, 08/10, Fenton Town Hall

• Scarefest, 11/10-03/11, Alton Towers

• Gandeys Hallowe’en Spooktacular, 11/10-03/11, Trentham Estate

• Hannah Aldridge, 13/10, Fulford Village Hall

• Last Supper at FEASTED, 19/10, Spode Works

• It’s a Beautiful Noise, 19/10, Victoria Hall

• Clay Club, 21/10-03/11, World of Wedgwood

• Hallowe’en at the SnowDome, 25/10-03/11, SnowDome

• Thank You For The Music, 26/10, Victoria Hall

• Blossoms, 28/10, Victoria Hall

• OOOOAARGH! Pirates, 31/10, Gladstone Pottery Museum

• Middleport Ceramic, Craft & Art Festival, 02/11, Middleport Pottery

• From Gold to Rio, 20/11, Mitchell Arts Centre

• A Christmas Carol, 27/11, Middleport Pottery

• Luminate, 29/11-31/12, Shugborough Estate

• Absurd Person Singular, 10-14/12, Stoke Repertory Theatre