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Stoke
on Trent was created in 1910 with the federation of the
Six Towns: Burslem, Hanley, Longton and Stoke, together with
districts from Fenton and Turnsall. Before this the towns
were known as 'The Potteries' and many locals still
refer to the towns by this name rather than Stoke on Trent.
Stoke
on Trent was given city status in 1925 and became an authority
independent of Staffordshire County Council, in 1997.
Today
the linear city stretches for almost 12 miles and adjoins
Newcastle-under-Lyme. This conurbation now has a population
exceeding 360,000.
Although
the city is named after Stoke and the City Council offices
are located there, the city centre is located in Hanley, an
earlier commercial centre.
The area's
coal and clay, suitable for earthenware, made it perfect for
the production of pottery. Since the 17th century it has
been famous for manufacturing pottery on an industrial scale.
Firms
such as Minton, Royal Doulton, Spode and Wedgewood were all
established here. Later, the opening of the Trent and Mersey
Canal meant that china clay could be imported from Cornwall
enabling the production of bone china and creamware.
However,
it was the research and experimentation of Josiah Wedgewood,
and the development of artistic talent in the local community,
that lead to the Staffordshire Potteries acquiring their dominant
position in the international market.
The
coal industry was also important and iron and steel was produced
in the valley below the hill towns of Burslem, Hanley and
Tunstall.
From
1881 to 1930 Stoke was the home of the locomotive manufacturer
Kerr Stuart & Co. and it also housed the repair shops of the
North Staffordshire Railway from 1864 to 1927.
In the
late-20th century the city's economy was hit by the general
decline in the British manufacturing sector and many potteries,
steelworks, mines and factories closed.
Today
the economy has now recovered and the city is one of the 100
top business locations in the UK. Stoke on Trent is internationally
known for the world's finest ceramics and it has also become
an important tourist destination.
Stoke
on Trent's main shopping area is in Hanley. Here, the Potteries
Shopping Centre houses a number of independent specialist
retailers as well as established high street names. Hanley
is also home to the Cultural Quarter of Stoke on Trent. The
city's many theatres include the Mitchell
Memorial Theatre in Hanley, the Stoke
Repertory Company, Victory Hall and Regent
Theatre in Stoke, and the Queen's
Theatre in Burslem.
There
are also several cinemas including the long-established 'art
house' cinema at Shelton.
Recently
the city has gained a reputation for lively nightlife with
numerous restaurants, bars and clubs.
Stoke
on Trent has two Football League clubs: Stoke City FC , the
Potters, who play at the Britannia Stadium and Port Vale FC
, the Valiants, whose ground is Vale Park in Burslem.
Many
football fans visit the fine memorial to Sir Stanley Matthews
(1915 - 2000) in the churchyard of Stoke Minster. Sir Stanley
was born in Hanley and played for Stoke City FC for most of
his career. Outside Stoke City's Britannia Stadium is a new
statue depicting Sir Stanley at different stages of his career.
Another statue stands in the centre of Hanley.
The Potteries,
Stoke on Trent, became a major tourist destination in 1986
when the city hosted the National Garden Festival. Since the
city has made the most of its identity as 'The Potteries'
and is now recognised as the centre of the ceramic world.
Many
of the pottery factories offer tours to visitors and there
are internationally acclaimed visitor centres at Spode, Wedgewood
and Royal Doulton.
Stoke
on Trent boasts over 30 factory shops and also has several
museums to visit relating to the pottery industry,including
the Gladstone
Pottery Museum and the Potteries
Museum & Art Gallery ( reopens 2007).
The Trent
and Mersey Canal passes south through Stoke on Trent and its
towpath forms a intregal part of the city's National Cycle
Network. At Etruria the waterway is joined by the popular
Caldon Canal. This has recently been restored for pleasure
craft, with a section running through the Churnet Valley. Reminders
of the Industrial Revolution can be seen along its banks including
iron workings, iron works and lime kilns.
Other
tourist attractions in Stoke include Trent Festival Park,
between Hanley and Burslem, which offers lots of attractions
for all the family including retail outlets, a multi-screen
cinema and ten pin bowling alley.
The Stoke
Ski Centre, in Festival Park, offers facilities for skiers,
snowboarders and toboggans, with a ski school and unique Alpine
Rollercoaster .
Waterworld,
also in Festival Park, is the UK's top indoor tropical water
park. The park offers over 30 exhilarating rides and attractions,
all set in a temperature of 86 degrees.
At Smallthorne
stands Ford
Green Hall, a charming timber-framed yeoman farmer's house
dating from 1624, the museum has an outstanding collection
of 17th century textiles, ceramics and furniture, illustrating
what life was like in the Potteries before the Industrial
Revolution. Surrounding the house is a garden with knot
gardens and herb beds, capturing the style of a 17th century
garden. Ford Green Hall also has a nature reserve, small shop
and café.
Trentham
Gardens in Stone Road, Trentham, were once part of one
of Trentham Hall, a 19th century estate, owned by the Dukes
of Sutherland. In the 1911 the house was demolished and
the gardens became a popular recreation space for working
families. However, by the late 1980's the gardens had gone
into a decline. Today the 'Trentham Awakes' project is rejuvinating
the 750 acre, with over 400 acres of woodland with many walks.
Monkey Forest,, 'Aerial Extreme', lake- designed by Lancelot
'Capability' Brown - and miniature railway are some of the
main atractions.
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Stoke on Trent
