Your stories

The access to green space.  We love spending time as a family at Park Hall Country Park and Longton Park.

Port Vale F.C.  I have great memories watching the Vale with my Uncle from an early age and then with friends.  I've seen many a cup upset and some memorable Potteries Derbies.

The local dialect.  I used to listen in wonder at how my Grandad and my Dad said certain words and used completely different words for some things.  My eldest Daughter, Ingrid has picked this up from me.

I take great pride in our history of pits and pots and many of my family have worked in both industries.

My favourite memories of Stoke-on-Trent include the football as mentioned above, the nightlife in Hanley in the 90's and early 00's.

I'm hoping these celebrations can bring us together as a city and help us to find who we are and what we can be again.

I have so many great memories including seeing Robbie in concert at Port Vale more recently, to nights out at The Place & Valentino’s in the 80’s & 90’s - making life-long friends!

I love the pottery painting café at Emma Bridgewater however my absolute favourite place has to be Festival Park and Etruria Hall which formed part of the Hotel. I like to think we played a small part in making history for the city with our restaurant tableware being jointly designed by Wedgwood and Royal Doulton -such a great collaboration.

For me, Stoke-on-Trent is all about the people their passion, kindness and creativity – it was wonderful to return to such a fantastic Stokie welcome this summer!

During 2025, our Centenary year, I hope everyone who lives in the city, works here or visits Stoke-on-Trent makes amazing memories with family and friends, feels proud of their heritage and inspired in looking forward to the next 100 years – most of all has the best time at our year-long party!

Happy Centenary Year, Stoke-on-Trent.

Stoke-on-Trent’s reached its centenary but social issues run deep

Brexit and Covid both hit hard, now someone take a leap of faith in us and provide a metaphorical ‘lick of paint’.

To enhance the love for this place, a love that will not taint because we knew we were and still are magnificent

Although the authorities did not see us as significant Parliament said we had no cathedral, a population too small

But our miners, steelworkers and potters walked proud and tall Wedgwood dinner sets have been owned by Royalty no less And King George V – eventually – gave us our status, bless!

So, June 5th, 1925, a ride from the train station to Stoke

To grant us the honour of being valued, us ordinary folk

Worthy of being important exponents of graft

Finally the establishment viewed us as people of craft

There’s a toughness to some Stokies, to a degree

But there’s a creativity which emanates also you see Wordsmiths, painters, musicians develop in this place Bennett, Cliff, Williams, Gitana, Kirkham with grace

The Spitfire engine designer and sporting heroes too

Sir Stan won the ballon d’or long before Messi, that’ll do “C’ost kick a bo?” was what we used to say “Ay up duck” and “Dunna worry” still heard today

Don’t forget your home, if you’re from here but moved away

Tell yer kids and grandkids about us, keep snobbery at bay

Tell ‘em about the smokin’ bottle kilns and the heat from a potbank

You’d meet a date under the Man of Fire then to The Place or Top Rank

Tell ‘em about mods, The Torch, rock and pop gigs at Viccy Hall

Don’t forget the family members who came before you, reveal all!!

‘Cause we’re struggling a bit now youth, we need a bit of a hand

There’s dereliction and dilapidation, y’see any help would be grand Government grants don’t seem to reach here, levelling up failed

The ring road never got completed, like Titanic, that ship has sailed

A century – and more - of ceramics, a century of coal

Something’s been stirring inside our collective soul

A city built on industry, for some it’s been a struggle, a fight

But right now celebrate the 6 towns that opted to unite

As Stoke-on-Trent celebrates its 100th anniversary, I reflect on how this city has shaped me—not just as a person but as an athlete. Born and raised here, I’ve always been surrounded by a spirit of resilience, determination, and community, values that have defined both my journey in powerchair football and the city itself. In April, I had the incredible honour of captaining the England Development Squad in an international tournament in Largs, Scotland. We faced teams from Spain, Scotland, and Scotland’s development squad, securing victory with an incredible 29 goals scored and only 1 conceded. Not only was I privileged to lead the team to this triumph, but I was also humbled to earn individual accolades: • Top Goal Scorer Team of the Tournament Selection • Most Valuable Player • Standing at the heart of competition, wearing the Three Lions on my chest, was a moment of immense pride. • Representing England as captain wasn’t just about personal achievement—it was about proving that ability should never be defined by disability. Beyond my international experiences, I’ve also been fortunate to achieve success at club level with West Bromwich Albion PFC, winning both a WFA Powerchair Football Premiership Medal and a FA Disability Cup Medal. These victories represent years of dedication, teamwork, and a relentless drive to push the sport forward. Powerchair football has taken me from the local pitches of Stoke-on-Trent to international arenas, but my journey started right here, in a city built on hard work and passion. Just as Stoke’s industrial past laid the foundation for its future, I hope my story inspires others to pursue their dreams, no matter the obstacles. As we celebrate 100 years of Stoke-on-Trent, I look forward to the next chapter—not just for myself but for the next generation of athletes, dreamers, and changemakers who will carry this city’s legacy forward.

As someone who has lived in Stoke-on-Trent my entire life, I have a deep-rooted connection to the city and its people.

Stoke has shaped my values—resilience, community spirit, and a strong work ethic—which align closely with the mission of Stoke on Trent College.

I’m passionate about contributing to the growth and development of local learners, and I take great pride in the opportunity to give back to the community that has given me so much.

Working at the College would allow me to support the next generation, helping them realise their potential and build a future grounded in local pride and ambition.

The Sea Cadets Corps is a National Youth charity with some 4,260 adult volunteers and 13, 730 cadets across the UK, including units in Bermuda, and Malta. The Sea Cadets can trace their origin back to 1854, making us the Senior Service of the Cadet Services. The Sea Cadets have been in Stoke-on-Trent for 87 of the City’s 100 years. Formed on 3rd March 1938, the Sea Cadet unit was opened as part of an expansion of the corps just prior to World War 2. The unit was founded as the "1st, Stoke-on-Trent Navy league Sea Cadet Corps". Named Training Ship (TS) Jervis after Admiral Jervis, Earl of St Vincent, who came from Meaford just outside Stone, and being funded by Lord Nuffield, the same person who was involved in establishing Morris motors, and what is today known as Nuffield Heath. Our unit having opened in 1938, eventually moved in 1962 from Cannon Street in Hanley to its present, location inside the Army Reserve Centre at Ivy House Road. Being officially opened by Commodore McBeath RN, in October of 1963.

We are very recognisable in Stoke-on-Trent as we wear the uniform of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, which makes us stand out in a land locked City. During the 1980 the unit’s name changed from TS Jervis to TS Talent. Based in the traditions of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, we are not a recruiting service, albeit we will take on budding Sailors & Marines. What we do offer is a different kind of a launch into life for young people. Including boating of all sorts, fieldcraft, map reading, first aid, engineering, PT, seamanship, Duke of Edinburgh’s award and much more. In 2022 the adult volunteers were awarded the accolade of the then named "Queens award for voluntary service". A huge honour for the unit volunteers. We are still here today providing opportunities for 10-18 years old, and after 18, as an adult volunteer to lead and instruct our youth of today, our future of tomorrow in and around the City of Stoke -on-Trent. For land locked sailors I don’t think we have done too badly.

I was born and bred in Stoke-on-Trent and worked in the pottery industry as a figure painter for some time so i suppose that makes me a true Potter!

Growing up I remember a vibrant music scene in the city which used to resonate to the sounds of an eclectic mix of beats from disco, punk, funk, northern soul, reggae, rock, 2 Tone and more. Remember Bruno Brookes teen night at the King's Hall anyone? Now that was Monday night fever! I was also employed at N.G.F 86 (the National Garden Festival). Stand out memories include a caber tossing Geoff Capes (world's strongest man) and a re-enactment of a clash by the American Civil War Society. The spell was slightly broken when the thirsty soldiers drank cans of Cola on a break! All good fun. I have always loved to explore my artistic side and have recently began again to paint, sketch and write too.

I have recently released my first novel The Battle for Badgers Brow. It is a tale set in a make believe version of Britain featuring anthropomorphic animals who live in that world and strive to survive a distant threat. It is in part based on artefacts that are on display in the Potteries Museum in Hanley, at which I now work, including an amazing broken bronze age sword and the fabulous replica golden Anglo Saxon helmet belonging to the Staffordshire Hoard.

Perhaps children will read my book and discover them for themselves? I do hope so.

Pottery is very important.

We learn about this in Year 2 and went to visit Gladstone Pottery Museum. 

Where we live in Stoke-on-Trent provides us homes.

We love to eat oatcakes- they are special in Stoke.

We have two football clubs- Stoke City FC and Port Vale FC.

I like Emma Bridgewater- they have pottery there.

Robbie Williams is a famous singer.

We have lovely places to walk like Trentham Gardens- I like to take my dog for a walk around the lake. 

Jonathan Wilkes comes back each year to do the pantomime.

Sir Stanley Matthews was a famous footballer.

Coal Mining was important for Stoke-on-Trent- we learn about this at school in our local area history unit.

Canals were used to transport the pottery.

The Potteries Museum has a spitfire in.

We celebrate people from Stoke-on- Trent- 'proud potters.

We are called Stokies!