Walk Stoke's New Interactive Heritage Trail
Plus Keith Brymer Jones launches range of mugs with Duchess China, Fenton's ceremonial mace unveiled and primary school students design centenary plates
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🚶♀️Walk Stoke’s Heritage Trail. A free interactive walking route between Stoke and Hanley, The Living Heritage City Trail went live last weekend. The app includes interactive videos and audio, which navigates users through the heritage locations and shares community stories, and is available alongside a newly-illustrated map by local artist Kidda Kinsey. Starting at Spode Works, the route, which takes just over an hour to walk, takes in Stoke Minster, Winton Square, Beresford Street, Hanley Park and St Marks Church in Shelton and ends at the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery. Local cultural and heritage organisations have developed additional trails along the route. More info on the app here.
🎤 🎭 THE KNOT’S PERSON OF The WEEK – Megan Probyn 🎤 🎭
A well-known name on the local theatre circuit, Cheadle’s Megan Probyn secured a permanent position with Wincanton at Screwfix Trentham Lakes after completing a six-month placement on a supported internship programme for young people aged 16 to 24 with special educational needs. Megan, who has mild learning disabilities, also received help from Mencap’s work and skills coaches. She said having the job means she can follow her long-term wish to be an actress. “I want to tell people with disabilities that you can do it, don’t let people tell you that you can’t work. Always follow your dreams.” Businesses can find out more on the supported internships webpage. PS: nominate your person of the Week for The Knot!
🎉 Fenton’s Ceremonial Mace Unveiled. When the six towns united as the Stoke-on-Trent Federation in 1910, Fenton was the only one not to hand down a piece of civic regalia. Students from the BA (Hons) Product Furniture and Ceramics and MA Ceramics courses at the University of Staffordshire recently created the first-ever ceremonial mace for Fenton, which features some stunning floral motifs and the town’s coat of arms. After being previewed at Fenton Town Hall last Friday, it was blessed at Christ Church, Fenton, and is now on display at Stoke Town Hall alongside the city’s other civic regalia. Go check it out!
Fenton’s ceremonial mace on display at Stoke Town Hall. Pic: Facebook
🍵 Keith Brymer Jones Launches Range With Duchess China. The Capel Salem range of bone china mugs celebrates the chapel that Jones is currently restoring with wife Marj, and you can follow their progress on Channel 4’s Our Welsh Chapel Dream. The money raised from sales will go towards refurbishing the chapel’s windows, and this trio of mugs will be the first of many pieces in the collection, says Brymer. The mugs are available with gorgeous gold (£35) or white (£30) handles. Want in? Shop here.
🍽️ Students Create Plates to Commemorate Staffordshire Day. Residents are being invited to vote for their favourite Staffordshire-themed plate designed by local primary school students as part of the celebrations for Staffordshire Day on 01/05. Twenty schools from took part in the competition, and pupils were asked to design plates that showed what Staffordshire means to them. Nine winning designs will be produced as plates, which will then be displayed at locations across Staffordshire from May onwards. Plates are being produced by Duchess 1888, and winners will also visit Gladstone Pottery, see their final designs and try out an activity. Vote now until 14/04 at 12pm.
💧Historic Drinking Fountain Returns. A stone fountain first gifted to the residents of Fenton more than 160 years ago in memory of prominent local industrialist William Baker of pottery firm Baker & Co has been restored. Initially installed in Victoria Square in 1861. The fountain was restored by Stoke-on-Trent City Council and is currently in situ at Albert Square, Fenton.
Really Good News 🎉 Your favourite news from the last week
📢 Tastebuds at the Ready: The Great British Food Festival is back at Trentham!
🧪 Stoke’s Centenary Mascot Unveiled: You wanted to know about Kelvin the Kiln
📅 The Knot Life: Did you know you can list your events for free at The Knot Life? More and more readers are doing it - get yours on too!
Unsung Heroes ⬇️
🏃♀️ Dave Juggins. The 75 year old gold medal duathlete can run a 5km in 21 minutes.
👗 Anya Parker James. Read about the designer that built a fashion career here.
👨🎨 Ian Parker: Mouth painter Ian has illustrated a kid’s book and is a full-time artist.
👩⚕️ Ruth Chambers: The retired GP won an OBE for improving health outcomes.
🥨 Good Vibes Only: A Word from Helen, Writer at The Knot
For 115 years, there has been a piece of regalia missing from the city’s collection. But this was rectified on Saturday, when the newly-recreated Fenton mace took its rightful place at Stoke Town Hall. The Knot swung by for the mace preview last Friday at Fenton Town Hall, where Mayor Lyn Sharpe, who is originally from Fenton, looked proudly on as locals came into admire the newly-designed piece. (First impressions? We loved the striking floral motifs and the contemporary vibe).
Design highlights of this commemorative club include the bottle kiln on the crown, which features a small disc of red Fenton clay pressed into it, while the ceramic bulb’s stunning floral pattern includes hydrangeas, heather and forget-me-nots, a wry reference to the fact that Arnold Bennett excluded the town in his famous novel, Anna of the Five Towns. One of the metal rings features Stoke-on-Trent’s motto, Vis Unita Fortior (United Strength is Stronger), reinforcing the unity of the six towns.
As the mayor says, this mace will stand as a proud representation of the town for the next 100 years and beyond. A massive well done to the two student teams who collaborated on this project to create something that all us Stokies can be proud of.
Weekly Weather (Stoke-on-Trent):
Mon ⛅️ 15° (2°) Tue ☀️ 17° (4°) Wed ☀️ 15° (3°) Thu ☀️ 17° (4°) Fri ⛅️ 18° (5°)
Sat ⛅️ 18° (6°) Sun ⛅️ 17° (6°).
Sunrise 07/04 ☀️06:29 Sunset 07/04 🌅 19:54
