Gladstone Pottery Museum celebrates 50th anniversary
Gladstone Pottery Museum is celebrated its golden anniversary this week with a special event.
The former Victorian pottery factory in Longton – which attracts thousands of visitors every year - was officially opened on 24 April 1975 by Prince Richard, The Duke of Gloucester.
The Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Councillor Lyn Sharpe, and Kelvin the Kiln, the city's Centenary mascot, met the staff and volunteers who give a warm welcome to visitors.
Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Cllr Lyn Sharpe, said: "We built this city on the hugely successful and traditional ceramics industry. It's what gained us city status in the first place so I'm incredibly proud to be able to celebrate 50 years of honouring that heritage at Gladstone.
"The fabulous staff and volunteers really bring the story of the city I love to life. They've done an amazing job over the last 50 years of showcasing the skills and creativity that means our local industry is known throughout the world.
"This 'living museum' has something for everyone and that's why it was declared VisitEngland's Small Visitor Attraction of the Year 2020."
It is a double celebration this year as the city celebrates its Centenary with a year-long programme of events.
Visitors to the historic museum can now view the bird baths created by potters in episode seven of Channel 4's The Great Pottery Throw Down. The six items on display reflect the area's rich industrial heritage, vibrant green spaces and historic waterways.
A pottery factory first opened on the site in 1787, but the bottle kilns were fired for the last time in 1960 and the site put up for sale. The former factory was eventually opened as a museum, with the city council taking ownership in 1989.
One volunteer, Paul Niblett, has worked tirelessly at Gladstone since 1971 – even meeting his wife, Kathy, in a bottle kiln at the museum.
Paul said: "When we're open, I like the opportunity of saying hello to our visitors, particularly to express thanks for coming. I recently chatted to folks from Crewe, Huddersfield and Preston. A couple of weeks ago, my chats included people from Australia and America.
"There is no doubt that the Museum is a magnet for people wanting to learn more about our internationally renowned ceramics industry, whether they be schoolchildren, college students, heritage enthusiasts or addicts of well-known TV programmes. Everyone is welcome.
"It's 60 years ago that the germ of an idea of a working pottery museum was muted.
"Progressively, the idea took shape, steered by a small group of largely local visionaries, many from the pottery industry, such that Gladstone opened for a preview season in August 1974.
"This helped to assess visitors' experiences and to gain all-important income prior to the official opening in 1975.
"Volunteers were working alongside consultants and contractors throughout these early years and have helped to shape the internationally-appreciated museum that we see today.
"Sadly, I've lost a number of stalwart comrades over the years, but I always remember them, especially when we're greasing a throwing wheel, emptying a slip ark or splicing a drive rope. They have all contributed to the extraordinary success of Gladstone Pottery Museum."
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