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Kelvin the Kiln to mark the end of the Centenary year with New Year's Eve tour

By Liana Snape   29th Dec 2025

Kelvin the Kiln, will mark the end of the city’s 100th anniversary year with a celebratory tour (image via Stoke-on-Trent City Council)
Kelvin the Kiln, will mark the end of the city’s 100th anniversary year with a celebratory tour (image via Stoke-on-Trent City Council)

Stoke-on-Trent's Centenary mascot, Kelvin the Kiln, will mark the end of the city's 100th anniversary year with a celebratory tour on New Year's Eve.

Kelvin will visit all six towns to give residents and visitors a chance to see the mascot as the city prepares to move into its next century.

The tour was the idea of Kevan Smallman, the man who brought Kelvin to life at the majority of Centenary events throughout the year.

He wanted to end the celebrations by visiting every town and thanking people for the support shown during the Centenary.

Kevan said: "It's been an absolute pleasure to bring some love and laughter as Kelvin the Kiln to the great people of Stoke-on-Trent.

"I'll certainly miss him."

Kevan Smallman brought Kelvin to life at the majority of Centenary events this year (image via Stoke-on-Trent City Council)
Kelvin's New Year's Eve schedule is:

  • Longton – 9am
  • Stoke – 10am
  • Tunstall – 11am
  • Burslem – 12 noon
  • Hanley – 1pm
  • Fenton – 2pm

The Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Councillor Steve Watkins, said: "The Centenary year has been about bringing people together across all six towns, and Kelvin has played a big part in that.

"He's been out at events across the city, leading a conga at the Party in the Park and getting huge cheers from children at City Music Service concerts.

"He's been called everything from a local legend to a cultural icon, which says a lot about the affection people have for him.

"This tour is a fitting way to mark the end of the Centenary celebrations as we start looking ahead to our next century."

     

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