Stoke-on-Trent marks the 100th anniversary of becoming a city with its inaugural Stoke-on-Trent Day
Today is the inaugural Stoke-on-Trent Day, marking the 100th anniversary of Stoke becoming a city.
We spoke to some of our Board members and Ambassador Sponsors who have special connections with the city to find out what they love about the Potteries.
Hannah Ault DL, Managing Director at Valentine Clays Ltd. and Chair of We Are Staffordshire Place Board:
“I love Stoke-on-Trent because it’s the heart of the potteries — a place where craft, creativity, and community run deep. As a proud Stokie, I’m honoured to work in an industry that has shaped our city for the past 100 years and will continue to inspire its future.”
Dave Hopley, Assistant Principal Student Experience at Stoke on Trent College:
“Stoke-on-Trent is such a special place full of great people, and Stoke on Trent College is proud to belong to, and serve this vibrant community. As the leading technical and professional college in the city region, we are proud to have the opportunity to nurture the talent of young people and adults in the city and help them to achieve successful futures.
“Having worked at the College for over 20 years, I have found a second home in Stoke-on-Trent, there’s something uniquely welcoming about this City and I am proud to belong to the community and feel part of something bigger”
Chris Plant, Deputy Chief Executive, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce:
“Though I’m originally from Cannock, Stoke-on-Trent has become my second home. It’s a privilege to support such a creative and innovative business community, and I’m excited to see how Stoke-on-Trent will continue to grow thanks to the amazing local businesses driving its future.”
Mary-ann Astle, Head of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at University of Staffordshire:
“Stoke-on-Trent is where I found my voice – first as a journalist, then in life. It’s a city with stories on every corner, warmth in every conversation, and a sense of pride that’s impossible to fake. It’s not just where I’m from – it’s part of who I am.”
Paul Williams, Academic and Place Marketing Expert:
“Stoke-on-Trent is such a special place to so many with its industrial beating heart.
“Today, we celebrate the history, culture, built and natural environment and
communities that make this incredibly proud city of craft, graft and collective endeavour.”
Josie Morris MBE, DL, Managing Director at Woolcool:
“Stoke is home. It’s unique location, deep heritage and its awesome people is what makes Stoke special. There is no other place in the country like it, and it is now starting to fulfil its potential. The opportunities for growth and investment in this area are massive. Stoke and proud!”
Louisa Shaw, our Head of Place Marketing:
“I’m Stoke-on-Trent born and bred and it’s a huge part of my identity and heritage. From my grandad helping to build the ABC Cinema to my Nan, who was crowned Pottery Queen and dedicated much of her career to working in the pot banks.
It’s moving to think that we’re here marking the Centenary of the city during my lifetime.”
As part of the Stoke-on-Trent Centenary celebrations, ceramic designer and manufacturer Emma Bridgewater focuses on the contribution of women to the city as part of the Stoke 100 Women’s project:
“I’ve long been inspired by a distinguished posse of powerful women who in previous decades broke through the prejudices which kept women back in the ceramics industry in Stoke-on-Trent. I owe a great debt to women such as Charlotte Rhead, Susie Cooper, Jessie Tait, Eve Midwinter, Susan Williams Ellis, Clarice Cliff and more and I believe that if not for these vital women and those who followed, I would not have been able to envisage working in the industry.
“We truly have come a long way, and their inspiring example inspires me to support women across our own business to forge ahead with a clear confidence that they can work in absolutely any role in the ceramics industry, choosing the career paths that really interests them here in THE place of making, Stoke-on-Trent. I’m delighted that they and the contribution to the city of all women of Stoke-on-Trent will be celebrated in this very special centenary year. I wish everyone a wonderful time.
“Perhaps most of all at this moment for reflection, I have in my mind the hundreds of thousands of women whose names did not go down in the history books, but who laboured with such great effect in the potteries, making millions of pieces of beautiful ware sold all over the world bearing the proud names of the potters of Stoke on Trent.”
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