Latest news with #Burslem-born
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Robbie Williams art displayed at ceramics showcase
Ceramic artworks inspired by drawings from Robbie Williams have taken centre stage at a pottery exhibition in Stoke-on-Trent. The Burslem-born singer teamed up with ceramics firm 1882 Ltd to create technicolour pieces of Jesus and The Pope, which went on display at The Potteries Gallery and Art Gallery in Hanley on Tuesday. In a recorded video message shared by 1882 Ltd, Williams said he "never imagined" they would one day be shown at the museum during the city's centenary year. "I'm from the Potteries, Burslem born and bred. Clay built our city. We are of the earth - we are earthy people," he added. Emily Johnson, owner of Barlaston-based 1882 Ltd, said working with Williams was an "absolute joy" and said she had to "contain the 13-year-old girl" inside her when she spoke to him. "He's amazing, he's fantastic. He is a prolific artist so it was really cool to be able to go through all his ideas," she told BBC Radio Stoke. The popstar was also one of 60 artists to have donated artworks that have been transformed into 61 plates by 1882 Ltd, all of which are also on display at the exhibition. Other designers include Marcel Wanders, Maxim, Sandy Powell, Shona Heath, Barber Osgerby, Bruce McLean, Max Lamb, Zandra Rhodes and Faye Toogood. The 61 plates will be auctioned off and Ms Johnson said she was hoping to raise about £29,000 to set up a one-year apprenticeship in 1882 Ltd's factory in a bid to encourage younger people into the industry. "We don't get any government support and there aren't any workable apprenticeship schemes for our industry," she said. "We have the best workforce in Stoke-on-Trent, but the average age in our factories is 55 and what will we do when these incredible skills retire?" The 100 Years, 60 Designers, One Future exhibition will be held at the museum until 7 December. The auction for the plates has begun online and will last until mid-September. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Robbie Williams inspires Jesus and Pope artwork Pottery firm plea to help industry 'on its knees' Pottery firms 'need faster action' from government Industrial strategy 'vital step' for pottery firms 1882 Ltd
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hundreds gather for city's centenary parade
Persistent rain did not dampen the spirits of hundreds of people who turned out for a parade to mark a city's centenary. Hundreds gathered on the streets of Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, to watch the People's Parade - the centrepiece of ongoing 100th birthday celebrations. The procession, featuring huge puppets, live music and dancing, began at 13:00 BST with about 1,000 participants marching for 1.5 miles (2.4km) from College Road to finish at Hanley Park. Speaking before, organiser Susan Clarke, from Stoke Creates, said: "It really is going to knock everyone's socks off." "We don't tell the world enough how good we are at doing stuff and how creative and imaginative we are. "Take us seriously, stop putting us down because there's no reason to do that now." More than 350 artists worked with 70 groups across the city on the procession - with the puppets including a representation of Burslem-born Lemmy from Motörhead, a giant clock and a 16ft-high (4.4m) figure which can interact with onlookers. Costume maker Holly Johnson made 100 cupcake costumes that were worn by pupils from Angela Beardmore School of Dance. She said: "I've been told I could go to other cities and I could maybe do better, but we love Stoke so much that we want to help build the community here and we just wanted to keep help building the arts here." Dave Lovatt, from Cat & Mouse Theatre Group, said his job was to get the crowd "roused up and excited" by sharing stories of local heroes on a megaphone, including Sir Stanley Matthews, Robbie Williams and athlete Jazmin Sawyers. Children from Year 7 at Haywood Academy worked with artist Emily Andrews to create a replica of the city's incinerator, with an invented creature protruding from it that is part fox, part axolotl. The children fed litter, picked along the route, to the "foxalotl" and recycling it afterwards. "I grew up in Stoke, it's a big part of my life and a big part of who I am," Ms Andrews said. The six towns, which were granted city status by King George V on 5 June 1925, marked the first official Stoke-on-Trent Day on Thursday. Celebrations culminate on Saturday with Party in the Park at Hanley Park, with performances from local musicians and street food stalls. A Lancaster Bomber flew over it just after 15:00 BST, approaching from Stoke-on-Trent College and continuing to the city centre. The city's Lord Mayor Steve Watkins called it a "spectacular moment", symbolising the city's wartime contribution and "longstanding history of service and resilience". A free street party with eight hours of dance music is also taking place on Piccadilly, Hanley, on Saturday from 14:00 to 23:00. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Events to celebrate city's 100th anniversary Free music festival announced for city's centenary 'You can't find better people than Stokies' Stoke-on-Trent Centenary
