Centenary festival to celebrate city's heritage

A heritage festival shining a light on Stoke-on-Trent's past, present and future will be held over the next nine months to celebrate the city's centenary.

A ceramic symposium and a Northern Soul exhibition will be among the 17 events and projects taking place until March 2026, Stoke-on-Trent City Council revealed.

Called the Stoke-on-Trent: Heritage Festival for the Centenary, the celebration was organised after a successful bid for £186,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Councillor Lyn Sharpe, the city council's heritage champion, said the festival would provide "something for everyone".

"Anyone who knows me knows I love Stoke-on-Trent - so it's great to be able to celebrate our heritage during our centenary year and beyond," she added.

The projects and events include:

• A two-day Ceramic Symposium curated by Prof Neil Brownsword and Dr Alasdair Brooks of Re-Form Heritage at Jubilee Hall
• A photographic exhibition showcasing the city and its people over the last century with a series of historical walking tours at Stoke Minster
• An audio documentary exhibition at Stoke-on-Trent Railway Station highlighting the city's role in the Northern Soul movement
• The development of new family-friendly workshops at Ford Green Hall

Further information about future events and projects would be released in the coming months, the city council said.

A number of events have been held in Stoke-on-Trent to celebrate 100 years since it was granted city status by King George V in recognition of its contribution to the pottery industry.

Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.