New Heritage Markers Bring Pottery Story to Life
Plus local lad Adam Peaty gets married, get your Christmas tree collected by Dougie Mac, UHNM launches study in dads' mental health and better roads may be on the way…
Good News 🎉
🏺 Marking Out Our Heritage. Appearing at sites in Stoke, Shelton, and Hanley, eight new markers have been created to feature along a new heritage trail to celebrate the city’s centenary. Intended to help residents reconnect with Stoke-on-Trent’s industrial past, the steel plinths with bronze casts on top were designed by Neil Brownsword, professor of ceramics at the University of Staffordshire. The trail starts at Church Street, Stoke, near the gates to the former Spode site, with other markers appearing at sites in Shelton, including the old Cauldon Pottery Works, with an endpoint at the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery.
🏊♂️🤵♂️ THE KNOT’S PERSON OF THE WEEK – Adam Peaty 🏊♂️🤵♂️
The six-time Olympic medal-winning swimmer and world record holder in both 50m and 100m breaststroke, Adam Peaty, who is originally from Uttoxeter and went to Painsley Catholic College, married model Holly Ramsay, daughter of Gordon Ramsay, on 27/12 at Bath Abbey. Sir David Beckham, Lady Beckham, and their children Romeo, Cruz, and Harper were among the celebrity guests in attendance; check out photos of them on honeymoon at Adam’s Instagram account. Adam is currently urging his fans to sign a petition to invest in brain cancer to support one of his former training peers at AP Race, Archie Goodburn.
👨👧 UHNM Launches Landmark Study into Fathers’ Mental Health. Around 15 percent of new fathers experience anxiety or depression during the period surrounding childbirth. In light of this startling statistic, University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) has launched a study to explore the mental health experiences of fathers during pregnancy and throughout the first year after birth, and those who experienced mental health challenges from conception. Participants will take part in an interview where they can discuss their experiences and the support they received. The study will run until February 2026, and dads interested in taking part, or who want more info, can email them.
🌲Get Your Christmas Tree Collected for Charity. Wondering what to do with your festive fir? Make a donation to Dougie Mac, and they will collect your Christmas tree from your front door and take it away to be recycled from 09/01-12/01 from postcodes ST1-ST13 plus CW3 and TF9. Last year, 81 volunteers collected 1,684 trees, raising £31,437. You can register your tree here.
🛣️ Could Better Roads Be on the Way? From potholes to poor drainage, the state of our roads remains a bone of contention for many, but the publication of the council’s 2026/27 highways and transportation capital programme will feature schemes including road resurfacing and junction improvements. Cabinet members will be asked to approve the 2026/27 programme with the schemes proposed for feasibility reviews in 2027/28.
🏫 Keele Uni Joins Global Canal-City Network. Keele University has become a founding member of a new international alliance linking institutions based in some of the world’s most significant canal regions. More than 520 canals across over 50 countries link some 3,000 cities worldwide, forming major corridors of trade, culture, and cooperation. Keele was invited to join the network due to its proximity to the historic canal network running through nearby Stoke-on-Trent, with the Trent & Mersey and Caldon Canals playing a central role in the development of the pottery industry from the late 18th century.
🥨 A word from Helen, editor/writer at The Knot
While many of us may have felt overstretched with one too many Christmas visits to an endless parade of family and friends, Christmas can be a lonely time for many. That’s why we were heartened to hear that the Port Vale Foundation opened the doors of Vale Park to host a Christmas Day lunch for around 150 people who would otherwise be alone or struggling, with food, games, and presents all on offer.
All over the city, charities and businesses rallied around to support those in need over Christmas. DoubleTree By Hilton Stoke on Trent donated meals to the Macari Centre residents, and Chesterton Salvation Army hosted a Christmas lunch for £5. YMCA North Staffordshire gave out 600 Christmas hampers and Stoke on Trent Churches Community Night Shelter distributed more than 40 hampers prior to the big day. The Gingerbread Centre provided festive support to 32 families living in its accommodation plus more families in the local community through its Christmas appeal. Midlands charity A Child’s Heart gave out more than 17,000 gifts to 1,700 children across the region and JCB’s Christmas Toy Appeal collected a record-breaking 1,787 toys and gifts, most of which went to The Hubb Foundation.
Whether you’ve spent Christmas dashing between social gatherings or have enjoyed a more peaceful festive break, we hope that it’s been a great one for you. So sit back and savour this restful in-between time of Twixmas before New Year’s Eve arrives… just don’t ask us what day it is!
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Weekly Weather (Stoke-on-Trent)
Mon ☁️ 6° (3°) Tue 🌤️ 5° (-2°) Wed 🌤️ 6° (2°) Thu 🌧️ 6 (2°) Fri 🌧️ 4° (-1°)
Sat ☀️ 3° (-1°) Sun 🌤️ 2° (-2°).
Sunrise 29/12 ☀️08:22 Sunset 29/12 🌅 15:58
Thanks for your comment Martin! Yes, sorry I should have been more clear. I've seen the story about Staffs County Council. It's a shame isn't it? Thanks for reading, we really value every single one of our readers and wishing you a very happy new year for 2026!
Presume 'Better Roads' item refers to Stoke-on-Trent Council rather than Staffordshire County Council on this occasion? Interesting to read about charity meals initiative for Xmas Day.