A year of centenary celebrations
By Liana Snape 4th Jan 2026
By Liana Snape 4th Jan 2026
As we head into the new year, take a look back at some of the ways the city celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025.
There were centenary celebrations held throughout the year to mark 100 years since Stoke-on-Trent was granted city status in 1925.
Kelvin the Kiln unveiled
Stoke-on-Trent's centenary mascot was unveiled in March at a school in Longton.
Schoolchildren at St Gregory's Catholic Academy got the first glimpse of the official Stoke-on-Trent 100 mascot, Kelvin the Kiln, after winning a competition run by the city council.
The two year six pupils who won the competition were Zunairah Hussain, who chose the name Kelvin the Kiln, and Fizza Fatima, who designed the front of Kelvin's potter's apron.
Century Anniversary Ale
A Burslem-based brewery that has been making beer in Stoke-on-Trent for 40 years brewed a special ale to celebrate Stoke-on-Trent's 100th anniversary.
Titanic Brewery teamed up with the city council to produce a limited-edition beer, Century Anniversary Ale, in honour of the city's Centenary.
Moorland Pottery range
A range of plates and mugs celebrating Stoke-on-Trent landmarks were designed and made by Moorland Pottery to mark the city's Centenary.
Jon Plant, the co-founder of the Burslem-based business, teamed up with the city council and designed and manufactured the ceramics in the unique style of Moorland Pottery's 'Stokie Ware' - which has been sold around the world.
The design features a miner's wheel, a duck, the canal and the Stoke Knotty Train with the words "celebrating 100 years of our city: Stoke-on-Trent Centenary".
The People's Parade
In June, hundreds braved the stormy weather for the Stoke-on-Trent People's Parade which saw creatives, performers and organisations take to the streets in Hanley in a vibrant celebration of the city.
The parade included a 16ft puppet, one hundred ducks, dancing cupcakes and a twenty-strong marching band, KiLNE.
Century old time-capsule opened
A century-old time capsule retrieved from the site of the former North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary Hospital was opened in June as part of Stoke-on-Trent's centenary celebrations.
Inside the capsule were letters and documents about the history of the Royal Infirmary and coins donated to hospital from Newcastle Borough and Stoke-on-Trent councillors at the time.
Other findings included a £1 bank note, a hospital annual report from 1923, newspapers and a letter from the president of the Royal Infirmary's council to King George V.
The Big Centenary Tea Party
Stoke-on-Trent officially holds the record for the most people simultaneously at a cream tea party - with 777 full cups of tea and scones consumed in July.
There were 793 participants in the world record attempt but some were disqualified as they did not finish their scone or tea.
The Big Centenary Tea Party was an official Guinness World Record attempt which aimed to beat the previous record of 667 people at a cream tea party, set on 25 June 2015 in Leeds.
Centenary mural unveiled
In September, the public were invited to view a spectacular centenary mural in Hanley from today after an official unveiling ceremony on Saturday evening.
The '100 Years 100 Faces' mural features 100 portraits to honour the people who have shaped the city's cultural identity. Among those featured are Robbie Williams, Burslem legend June Cartwright, boxer Nathan Heaney, influencer Luke Hamnett, sculptor Andy Edwards, Eddie Hall and many more.
Rebuilt Capo statue unveiled
The rebuilt sculpture of Burslem-born potter Josiah Wedgwood was unveiled at Etruria Hall in October.
The sculpture, known as Capo, was unveiled at Wedgwood's former home, Etruria Hall, by Lord Mayor of Stoke on Trent, Cllr Steve Watkins, and Chloe Chard, widow of the late sculptor Vincent Woropay.
100 years of social housing film launched
A new film to mark 100 years of social housing in Stoke-on-Trent was launched by the city council in November.
The film, which forms part of the city's Centenary celebrations, reflects on the story of social housing over the last century while looking to the future as Stoke-on-Trent enters its next 100 years.
Local historian launches book
A new book commissioned to mark Stoke-on-Trent's Centenary was launched in December.
'Stoke-on-Trent: The Story of a City', which was written by local historian Fred Hughes and produced with local publisher Barewall, was launched at an event at Stoke Minster.
The book charts key moments and people in the civic life of the city to complement the year-long programme of events and activities taking place across 2025.
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