Moorcroft Pottery is set to Return After World-Record Breaking Auction Sale
Plus six British Empire Medallists for Staffs, new mural for Newcastle, Covid memorial planned for Westport Lake and helpline launched for school leavers…
Good News 🎉
🏺 It’s Not Over for Moorcroft. The pottery firm famous for its slip-trailing, flambe glazes and hand-painted nature was recently saved from liquidation by the grandson of the company's founder, William Moorcroft. Meanwhile, an 111-year old Moorcroft vase sold for £31,500 at auctioneers Woolley and Wallis last Wednesday – the highest price a vase from the pottery firm has ever fetched. The Flambe Carp vase (below, top left), a double gourd shape decorated with three carp fish, was designed around 1914 by founder William Moorcroft. A similar vase in a blue and green colourway at the same auction (also top left) fetched £25,200.
🎖️ THE KNOT’S PEOPLE OF THE WEEK – British Empire Medal recipients 🎖️
Six Staffs residents have been awarded British Empire Medals for contributions to their local communities. The recipients were Ann Veronica Harvey for Services to Early Years; Gifford Andrew Foote for Services to the Community of Armitage & Handsacre; Simon and Michelle Hawkins for Services to Foster Care; Robert Patchett for Services to the Community of Mease Valley; and Philip John Siddell for Services to Early Years Childcare and Charitable Sectors.
🎨 New Mural for Newcastle. A new mural paying tribute to Newcastle’s market heritage has been unveiled on Hassell Street, on the side of Nail Essence, forming a colourful gateway to The Stones Market. Working closely with lead artist Rob Fenton and artist Ethan Lemon, the project team explored the Brampton Museum Archives, selecting a series of historic photographs that captured the evolution of the market through the ages. These images provided the inspiration for the mural’s final design, reflecting how the market has changed.
A new mural in Newcastle pays tribute to the market’s history
👩🏻👨🏻 Welcoming New Citizens. One hundred new British citizens were formally welcomed to Stoke at a ceremony in the King’s Hall as the council’s Registration Service marked 100 years since the city was granted its status. Citizenship ceremonies are typically held for around 20 people at a time, so this was something a bit spesh. A big welcome to you all!
💐 Covid Memorial Planned. A permanent memorial to Stoke-on-Trent citizens who died from Covid during and after the pandemic is set to be built at Westport Lake, with the project being spearheaded by Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Gareth Snell and former MP for Selly Oak Lynn Jones MBE. It’s thought that more than 1,000 people from Stoke-on-Trent died from early 2020 onwards from the virus. The project aims to secure funding and erect a memorial where relatives can add their names, similar to London’s Covid Wall, and remember their loved ones.
☎ Helpline Launched for School Leavers. Post-school life may feel scary, but don’t fret: there’s a new phone line for 16 year olds. Launched by Staffs County Council to coincide with the end of GCSEs, the phone line aims to help young people figure out their next steps. Call 01785 854125 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday or email them if you or someone you know could do with some help.
🥨 Good Vibes Only: A word from Helen, writer at The Knot
Pots are what make us special, so we were dead chuffed to hear that Burslem’s Moorcroft has been saved from liquidation by the founder’s grandson and namesake William Moorcroft, who told the BBC he’d like to see, “as many of the staff as we can bring back”. However, it’s unclear whether all 57 staff who lost their jobs last month will sign new contracts, even though. production is mooted to be moving back to the original factory on Sandbach Road. On the Moorcroft website, Will states, “we’re working tirelessly to restart production and hope to relaunch both the website and the shop soon.” (You can also email him if you have an enquiry).
Following the recent record-breaking auction news, it’s clear that there’s still a huge demand for these gorgeous pieces (did you know Leonard A. Lauder, president of the Estée Lauder cosmetics empire, has one of the largest Moorcroft collections in the world?) and we’re excited to see how the firm’s fortunes will unfold now it’s back in the family fold.
What do you think about Moorcroft’s recent reversal in fortunes? Let us know in the comments below.
PS: know anyone in Lichfield or the surrounding area? Tell them to check out The Knot Lichfield for all the latest happenings there.
PPS: fancy a listen to some local bands? Our writer Jason Ritchie, aka Stokieboy25, has put together a fab playlist for all you Knotters.
Helen x
Really Good News 🎉 Your favourite news from the last week
🏺 Ceramics Exhibition: You were keen to find out more about the 100 Years, 60 Designers show, which opens today (23/06).
🥪 Yummy Option Coming to Goods Yard: Artisan cafe Cotton opens today (23/06)
⚽️ The Knot & Port Vale: We’ve partnered with one of our local footy teams…
The Knot Pod 🎤 ⬇️ Catch James chatting with some of our amazing innovators
🥨 The Red Haired Stokie: Our ace local blogger, photographer & Knot contributor
🗣️ Kirsty Hulse: Get inspired, it’s the founder of leading event Confidence Live
🏃♂️ George Bettany: Jog to this chat with the founder of MARA Run Club
📽️ Daniel Moore: So much creativity going on in Stone at top agency Dissident
🎶: Ash and Ryan: Listen to two of Stoke’s biggest names in music and fashion
🕯️Beth Warren: Founder of sustainable candle brand The Wandering Bee
Weekly Weather (Stoke-on-Trent):
Mon ☁️ 19° (13°) Tue 🌧️ 20° (14°) Wed 🌧️ 22° (13°) Thu ☁️ 19° (14°) Fri 🌦️ 21° (12°)
Sat ☀️ 23° (12°) Sun ⛅️ 21° (12°).
Sunrise 23/06 ☀️04:43 Sunset 23/06 🌅 21:39
