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Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · 19d

My latest column focuses on the unveiling of the #100Years100Faces centenary mural and why its most enduring legacy will be how it can inspire the next generation of young place-makers to pick up the baton and shape the next chapter in Stoke-on-Trent’s illustrious place story.

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Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · 24d

As those who attended the unveiling event heard, the #100Years100Faces mural showcases our unique city as ‘a history of heartbeats knitted together with theatre tickets, penalty shootouts, helping hands, and smiling kilns.’

Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · 24d

An accessible, aesthetic work of art, the #100Years100Faces mural is a living to tribute to the inspirational individuals who have left their mark on our world craft city.

The publicly nominated people depicted will provide a hundred conversation themes and serve as an enduring #SoT100 legacy.

Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · 24d

An accessible, aesthetic work of art, the #100Years100Faces mural is a living to tribute to the inspirational individuals who have left their mark on our world craft city.

The publicly nominated people depicted will provide a hundred conversation themes and serve as an enduring #SoT100 legacy.

University of Staffordshire to loan rare ceramics to city museum

Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · Sep 9

“The opportunities for cultural exchange and research collaboration will also strengthen Stoke-on-Trent’s position as an international centre for ceramic excellence - supporting the world craft city agenda and Stoke-on-Trent’s ambitions to achieve UNESCO creative city status.”

Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · Sep 9

University of Staffordshire VC, Prof Martin Jones: “It was Thornhill’s wish that the collection be used for educational purposes and partnering with the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery will allows us do that by making it more accessible to both scholars and the public.”

The Thornhill Collection of ceramics was bequeathed to the University of Staffordshire in 1944.

University of Staffordshire to loan rare ceramics to city museum

Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · Sep 9

University of Staffordshire VC, Prof Martin Jones: “It was Thornhill’s wish that the collection be used for educational purposes and partnering with the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery will allows us do that by making it more accessible to both scholars and the public.”

The Thornhill Collection of ceramics was bequeathed to the University of Staffordshire in 1944.

Comedian Johnny Vegas 'proud' artwork on display in Stoke-on-Trent

Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · Sep 8

Johnny Vegas: “There’s so much space in ceramics for everything, for exploration, and it’s a skill set that we just cannot afford to key go of.

“It’s great to celebrate it but the celebration had to continue once the (British Ceramics Biennial) festival ends.”

The comedian's work is on display at the British Ceramics Biennial at Spode Works.

Ian R. Pearsall @ianrpearsall.bsky.social · Sep 6

City of Fire and Beautiful Bricks’
Exhibition at The Glosthouse, Longton. Stoke-On-Trent.
www.theglosthouse.co.uk

An ongoing exhibition of Works both new, and never before exhibited. Painting : Drawing : Collage.
Poetry : @minxyowlwriter.bsky.social
#Stoke100 #SoT100

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Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · Sep 5

Hopefully you can enjoy the Biennial vicariously through the many pictures that will be posted by visitors to the festival. Hope it’s a good day health wise.

Stoke-on-Trent prepares for British Ceramics Biennial 2025

Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · Sep 5

A celebration of clay, craftsmanship, skill & artistry in a city that has clay deeply embedded in its identity.

Clare Wood: “Through British Ceramics Biennial we are maintaining national and international interest in Stoke-on-Trent and its ceramics.”

More than 70 artists are taking part in the event, described as the largest of its kind in the UK.

British Ceramics Biennial builds on pottery heritage - Museums Association

Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · Sep 4

‘As well as the Biennial which has been running since 2009, the Staffordshire city is celebrating its centenary in 2005. And it is just over a year since Stoke-on-Trent was awarded World Craft City status, which is recognition of its global importance as a centre for pottery production.’

The event, which runs from 6 September to 19 October, coincides with Stoke's centenary year

www.museumsassociation.org

Johnny Vegas creates artwork for Stoke-on-Trent ceramics showcase

Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · Sep 1

Just Be There, a collaborative artwork crafted by Johnny Vegas, described as ‘an avenue of hugs captured in clay’ to be showcased at the forthcoming British Ceramics Biennial in Stoke-on-Trent.

The comedian captures people's hugs in clay for an installation at the British Ceramics Biennial.

Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · Aug 31

Stunning. Saw these earlier. A fantastic curated garden.

Yes, not far from where I was born. Also a great beach at Ainsdale where Red Rum was often trained.

Ow at youth: Art celebrating Staffordshire dialect exhibited

Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · Aug 30

It’s black over Bill’s mother’s!

A Mirror to Nature @newvictheatre.bsky.social

The exhibition goes on show at the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme from 8 September.

Stoke-on-Trent theatre company 'delighted' as home secured

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Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · Aug 29

And just like the Potteries’ backstamps, that wonderful first creative incursion became your indelible mark of quality!

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Ian R. Pearsall @ianrpearsall.bsky.social · Aug 29

You're a gentleman, Paul - thank you very kindly indeed..
My very first creative incursion into Stoke-On-Trent.

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Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · Aug 29

Bottle Oven Day is a chance to share the Magnificent 47 again!
@ianrpearsall.bsky.social

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Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · Aug 29

Priestley continued: ‘unless you are prepared to take a deep and lasting interest on what happens inside those ovens, it would be better for you to take the first train anywhere’.

Bottle ovens featured prominently in our application to become a designated World Craft City.

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Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · Aug 29

It’s August 29th. It’s Potteries Bottle Oven Day. And it’s the day to recall how J. B. Priestley on his English journey in 1933 proclaimed: ‘the pottery kilns and ovens ... without these great bottles of heat, there would be no Potteries. They represent the very heart and soul of the district.’

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Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · Aug 23

Our small but mighty city’s unique identity, global renown as a centre of ceramics excellence, creative ecosystem, entrepreneurial endeavours, and acclaimed universities’ research impacts means Stoke-on-Trent punches above its soft power weight.

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Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · Aug 22

Delighted to hear Claybody Theatre will continue to be based at The Dipping House on the former Spode pottery site. Looking forward to seeing many more place-based productions ‘shaped from the unique cultural heritage and contemporary lives of the people of Stoke-on-Trent & North Staffordshire.’

Claybody Theatre agrees a lease to remain at its current home in Stoke-on-Trent for 15 years.

Artist 'excited' to take part in Three Counties art exhibition

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Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · Aug 16

The Arts Keele Three Counties Open Art Exhibition at Fenton Town Hall has a “real mix” of art on display, from paintings, to photography and a motorbike installation.

@amigonidavid.bsky.social

The free exhibition runs at Fenton Town Hall until 30 August.

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Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · Aug 15

As the Ceramics (Country of Origin Marking) Bill continues to progress through the House of Commons it’s worth reiterating that Rishi Sunak also enjoyed a brew in a made in Stoke-on-Trent #EmmaBridgewater mug with the previous US President Joe Biden in the Downing Street gardens.

Why universities are hiring more chief marketing officers – even as budgets shrink

The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · Aug 15

Universities are adding chief marketing officers to their leadership teams, even as budgets shrink.

Research shows investing in a CM boosts enrollment by 1.6% on average, but their impact on endowments is less clear. A professor who researches leadership structures explains:

More and more universities are bringing in corporate-style marketing chiefs. New research shows what they’re gaining – and where the returns fall flat.

buff.ly

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Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · Aug 15

Emma Bridgewater: ‘Stoke-on-Trent is steeped in so much history with regards to the pottery industry and we think that is something worth writing on every single piece of ware we produce.’

Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · Aug 15

Made in Stoke-on-Trent pottery was showcased to a global audience as Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy enjoyed a brew from Emma Bridgewater mugs.

Emma Bridgewater centre stage at Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelenskyy meeting

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were pictured enjoying a brew from Emma Bridgewater mugs today

www.stokesentinel.co.uk

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Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · Aug 15

Made in Stoke-on-Trent pottery was showcased to a global audience as Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy enjoyed a brew from Emma Bridgewater mugs.

Emma Bridgewater centre stage at Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelenskyy meeting

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were pictured enjoying a brew from Emma Bridgewater mugs today

www.stokesentinel.co.uk

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Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · Aug 13

Lemmy’s birthplace in Stoke-on-Trent, like Shakespeare’s in Stratford is more than just a geographical marker; Burslem is like a nurturing, healing, rejuvenating, wellspring. We should revere and celebrate this place. It’s not what’s passed, it’s what’s next. Lemmy Forever.

Why Lemmy is to Stoke What Shakespeare is to Stratford-upon-Avon

Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · Aug 13

Why Lemmy is to Stoke What Shakespeare is to Stratford-upon-Avon
open.substack.com/pub/theknotg...

Lemmy statue creator Andy Edwards argues Lemmy could supercharge Stoke’s tourism in the same way that Shakespeare draws visitors to his birthplace…

open.substack.com

Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · Aug 12

It’s wonderful to see the statue of the patron of Stoke-on-Trent’s greatness, Josiah Wedgwood, is one again proudly welcoming commuters emerging from the Jacobean-styled railway station.

Stoke-on-Trent's new multi-million-pound station gateway unveiled

The man steering the project to completion admits roadworks have been a problem for residents.

www.bbc.com

Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · Aug 8

An omnipresent, edible emblem of the region’s foodscape, I recall an old University of Staffordshire colleague suggesting the oatcake can be considered as a cultural condensation of ‘Potteriesness’.

#OatcakeDay

Paul Williams @paulwilliams207.bsky.social · Aug 8

Have oatcakes ever not been great?

It’s Friday. It’s August 8th. It’s officially #OatcakeDay - a celebration of the food of the Gods, the epitome of culinary cultural capital.

‘The famous Staffordshire oatcake is nothing less than a food hero - it has achieved iconic status.’