ANGELthe

AN UPDATE ON BURSLEM REGENERATION PROGRESS

Early Christmaspresent for Burslem

ISSUE 3 December 2006

Go ahead given for millionsof pounds in funding

Christmas

See inside

BURSLEM'S future as anattraction to visitors fromaround the UK, and indeedfrom around the world,depends on a successfultransformation which not onlydraws on its literary andindustrial heritage, but whichalso showcases the world'sbest living ceramics industry.

We are very close toannouncing exciting plans tobring the town's indoormarket back into use.

A great deal of work hasgone into sourcing imaginativeproposals for the buildingwhich, if developed correctly,will have a ripple effect,breathing new life into thetown, filling empty shops, thehotel, the restaurants andgiving Burslem a national, andinternational purpose andreputation once more.

Drawing on the town'scritically important attributes -both past and present - willattract the new pounds it sodesperately needs.

It will build on the successesof 2006, the millions of poundsof funding attracted, the newhomes and businesses... a newfuture for the town we careabout so much.

In all our work we areweaving a fabric that isattractive to the visitors weneed and who want to comehere as they used to do.

The next step for Burslem isthe iconic market site schemewhich will fire the imagination,be a source of pride, and acelebration of everything goodabout the town's past; presentand future.

On that cryptic, but excitingnote, may I wish you all - andour Mother Town - a veryMerry Christmas and aprosperous 2007.

Cryptic noteto sign off a good year

Justice to be done toold courthouse

By HughEdwards,Chairman ofThe BurslemRegenerationCompany

Inspecting the progress of restoration work on the old courthouse are, left to right, Peter Quincy,City Council Conservation Project Officer, Aktar Choudhury, Chief Executive of the NorthStaffordshire Regeneration Zone (NSRZ), Adrian Tinsley, a Director of Moorland Pottery, andAndrew James, NSRZ Regeneration Projects Manager. In the background pressure washing of theold courthouse facade is being carried out.

WORK is gathering pace on an innovativeNorth Staffordshire RegenerationZone-backed scheme to transform a

historic building in Burslem. The old courthouse in Moorland Road is

being refurbished, restored and converted intofour enterprise units to provide start-up spacefor small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in thecreative sector.

The front of the building has now beenpressure washed to return it to its former gloryand internal refurbishments are well underway.Other environmental improvements to theexterior will include the provision of cobbled carparking spaces adjacent to the building.

NSRZ Chief Executive Aktar Choudhury said:“Burslem is establishing itself as the creativequarter of Stoke-on-Trent thanks to a series ofimaginative, multi-million pound regenerationschemes. The Courthouse enterprise units willbe targeted at businesses looking for grow-onspace and will provide an important steppingstone for expanding firms.

“The aim is to create a hi-tech design-focusedcluster which will contribute to Burslem’screative heritage and add to the town’s appeal

as a visitor attraction.”The old courthouse is owned by Moorland

Pottery, which manufacturers vintagekitchenware, giftware and creative artware fromthe adjoining Chelsea Works, a Grade II listedbuilding.

Moorland Pottery Director Jonathan Plantsaid: “Thanks to the North StaffordshireRegeneration Zone grant funding, we now havean excellent opportunity to convert thecourthouse building into enterprise spaces andgive something back to the local community.”

The old courthouse building project is set tobe completed by the end of January. Anyfledgling businesses interested in setting up inthe enterprise units should call Jonathan atMoorland Pottery on tel. 01782 834631.

CAROL singing by the Christmas tree inBurslem town centre are pupils from John Baskeyfield VC school, left to right,Rebecca Lawton, aged six, AndrewZyskowski, 10, Leia Foulkes, nine, andJake Pankhurst, five.

Cover picture

2 T H E A N G E L

NEARLY £500,000 in grantsfrom the NorthStaffordshire

Regeneration Zone has beenapproved for two prestigiouscommunity projects at PortVale’s stadium.

The club has been successfulin gaining £245,000 worth offunding towards the creation ofa new enterprise centre on thefirst floor of its Lorne StreetStand development.

The £830,000 project willcreate 20 serviced offices forfledgling businesses. And theVale Football in the CommunityScheme – a registered charity –has won a bid for £248,000 inaid towards the £395,000 costof building a new gymnasiumand creating additionalclassrooms at its base at theHamil Road End of Vale Park.

Peter Cooke, theRegeneration Zone’s ProgrammeManager for Enterprise andInnovation, said: “These twoprojects have multiple benefitsfor the Regeneration ofBurslem. The enterprise centrewill provide much-neededoffices for start-up businessesand will, in turn, create newjobs. It will also help Vale tocomplete its Lorne Street Standand develop its community use.

“The new gymnasium will bea superb facility for the peopleof Burslem and surroundingareas and will enable theexisting gym to be converted tomore classroom and ancillaryfacilities in order to furtherextend the club’s excellentcommunity activities.”

Mr Cooke emphasised thatthe two projects wereconsidered as completelyseparate applications forfinancial support – but bothbids more than met theRegeneration Zone’s strict

criteria for the funding whichcomes from Advantage WestMidlands.

He added that the large carparks near to the Lorne StreetStand made it an ideal locationfor an enterprise centre. Newbusinesses could takeadvantage of other facilities atVale Park such as meetingrooms, catering and receptionservices.

“More than 4,000 jobs have

been lost in the Burslem area inrecent years and enterprisecentres such as this are oneway of replacing them,” said MrCooke. “Many start-upbusinesses will be attracted tohaving their first office at ValePark – it’s a prestigious addressand an exciting environment.”

Vale Chairman Bill Bratt said:“I’m delighted that the bids forfinancial support have beensuccessful.

“The club are contributing agreat deal of time and money tothese projects which shows ourcommitment to ensuring theVale is a true community club.Both developments will be aboost for the regeneration ofBurslem.”

Mr Bratt added that the clubare financing the schemes –along with the completion ofthe Lorne Street stand – with a£1.2 million loan from the CityCouncil which was given toextend community activities atVale Park.

Joan Walley, Stoke-on-TrentNorth MP and BurslemRegeneration Company Director,welcomed news of the RZfunding for the Vale Parkprojects.

She said: “Increasinglyfootball league clubs across thecountry are reinventingthemselves as a hub ofcommunity activity.

“From the outset I haveencouraged Vale and its publicsector partners at the CityCouncil and the RegenerationZone to make the most ofopportunities available so thatpeople in Burslem and thesurrounding areas can benefit.”

Meanwhile, talks betweenVale and the Council are at anadvanced stage over theproposed siting of a multi-purpose children’s centre on theground floor of the stand. Valealso have plans for a 300-seatbanqueting facility – to becalled the Robbie Williams Suite– on the stand’s second floor.

Grant aid for new job-creating enterprise centre

Funding go-ahead forVale Parkprojects

Peter Cooke, RZProgramme Manager,right, and ValeChairman Bill Brattpictured on the site ofthe planned enterprisecentre at Vale Park.

Jim Cooper, Manager of Vale’s Football inthe Community Scheme, shows where the new gymnasium will be built.

T H E A N G E L 3

MAJOR steps forward havebeen taken in the joint CityCouncil /Renew NorthStaffordshire programme ofregeneration for residentialcommunities in Burslem andMiddleport.

A community Steering Grouphas been formed to ensure thatlocal people have their say inthe planning process bybecoming involved from anearly stage to help develop aregeneration plan that isrealistic and has the support ofthe people who live in the

areas. Around 40 peopleattended the first meeting ofthe Steering Group inNovember. Most were localresidents and others includedthose with businesses in thearea, local authority staff andrepresentatives of the variousagencies involved.

After their initial meeting theSteering Group met again inearly December to finalise theirterms of reference and look athow they can contributetowards moving the planningprocess forward.

Peter Bevington, anindependent communityconsultant working with theCity Council and Renew toinvolve local people in theplanning and building stages,said: “While the focus willprimarily be on the housingmarket, it will be also benecessary to obtain fundingfrom other sources for facilitiessuch as schools that will beneeded to support those whowill live in the regeneratedparts of Burslem andMiddleport.”

Andy Tharp, CommunicationManager for RENEW NorthStaffordshire said ‘We haveestablished CommunitySteering Groups in all themajor areas where RENEW isactive. They have proved to beexcellent vehicles throughwhich local people can expresstheir views and activelyinfluence the futureregeneration of theirneighbourhoods. We aredelighted that residents in theMiddleport area haveresponded so positively.”

COMMUNITIES in and around Burslemare being urged to have their say onthe massive redevelopment to

transform the area’s housing market.Developers have now been appointed to

drive forward masterplanning in key areaslike Middleport, Cobridge and around thecentre of the Mother Town.

Inspire Developments – part ofconstruction giant Seddon – have beenquick to reassure residents that their viewswill be taken on board as plans are drawnup to reflect the needs and aspirations ofindividual communities.

Development Director Ian Ridgeway saida great deal of effort would go intocanvassing residents’ opinions and puttingtogether comprehensive proposals toimprove all aspects of life.

He said: “We aim to provide short termwins, but the main transformation isexpected to take anything up to 15 years.

“The bottom line is that people living inthese areas are the bedrock of thecommunity. We want them to play their partin the masterplanning process and we wantthem to stay once the improvements are inplace. Our message is ‘Get involved – now

is a very important time and we aredefinitely listening’.”

Improving standards of housing comeshigh on the agenda set by InspireDevelopments, and by RENEW NorthStaffordshire who have brought thedevelopers on board.

Ian Ridgeway said: “It is vital that weachieve the right mix of housing, and localpeople’s views will help us provide justthat.”

A series of events will be staged in thearea to include local people in themasterplanning process.

Plans to meetaspirations

People have chance to shape the future

■ Inspire Development Director IanRidgeway pictured at Middleport Wharfwhich is at the heart of the communityregeneration masterplan.

4 T H E A N G E L

The positive impact of this investmentis attracting private sector money andnew economic activity in the area

Aktar ChoudhuryChief Executive, North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone

“

DEDICATED regenerationspecialists are working behindthe scenes providing the financial

bricks and mortar to build a betterfuture for Burslem.

Few members of the public will haveever come across the NorthStaffordshire Regeneration Zone team,but their work touches the lives ofvirtually everyone who lives and worksin the Mother Town.

The Regeneration Zone’s objectivesinclude strengthening the economy,providing skills and jobs, investing inimprovements to provide a high qualityenvironment and infrastructure, andmaking sure the community benefitsfrom this investment, making NorthStaffordshire a place where peoplechoose to live, work and invest.

So far the Regeneration Zone – set upand funded by the regionaldevelopment agency Advantage WestMidlands – has invested £4.5million inBurslem to fund projects such as theBurslem Enterprise Centre, the live/workunits at 7-11 Queen Street and theCentre of Vocational Excellence at theMoorland Road college campus.

Another £4.5million will be investedover the next three years to help fundthe refurbishment of the WedgwoodInstitute, projects to improve thephysical appearance of buildings in thetown and a number of propertyacquisitions.

Aktar Choudhury, Chief Executive ofthe North Staffordshire RegenerationZone, said: “ We are working hard tomake sure our investmentprovides the bestopportunities for Burslemand its residents. Many ofthe improvements aroundthe town centre have beenfunded by AWM through theNSRZ.

“The positive impact ofthis investment is attractingprivate sector money andnew economic activity in thearea, which is good forBurslem and the City.”

Providing the financialbuilding blocksfor regeneration

Providing the financialbuilding blocksfor regeneration

”

T H E A N G E L 5

WORK on a £5.4 million project torestore Burslem’s primearchitectural treasure, the

Wedgwood Institute, will begin in May.Funding has been approved for the three-

storey Grade ll* listed building whichcurrently is only partly used on the groundfloor as a library – with more than 1,600square metres of the historic structure in astate of dilapidation.

The scheme involves the complete repairand renovation of the Institute to expandthe library facilities, transform vacant areasinto 17 office units and create a 40-seatcommunity lecture theatre.

“It is the most exciting and the mostchallenging project in the regeneration ofthe Mother Town,” said BurslemRegeneration Company Director DavidRogers.

“We are over the moon that the moneyhas been made available. It is such amajestic building and its state of disrepairis one of the saddest sights in Burslem.

“We will now see the Wedgwood Instituterestored to its former glory and with amodern purpose in the future regenerationof the town.”

The finance “pot” is made up from threefunding partners – £2.5 million fromAdvantage West Midlands, accessedthrough the North StaffordshireRegeneration Zone; £1.5 from Stoke-on-Trent City Council and £1.4 million from theEuropean Regional Development Fund.

Initial works will include a new roof andclearing up the mess left by generations offeral pigeons which have made the buildingtheir roosting grounds.

City council Principal Regeneration OfficerRobert Gatensbury said: “Our first task is tomake sure the building is water-tight andsealed. We will then be re-wiring, installinga lift, providing high-speed broadbandconnections for the office units andgenerally repairing and refurbishing theinterior.”

Other features include the restoration ofa central courtyard area to create a coveredatrium and the sympathetic re-working of aVictorian lecture theatre – complete with itsoriginal wooden pews – for modern use.The building’s pièce de résistance, itsmagnificent facade with an array ofsculpture and fine mosaics, will be cleanedand restored by a specialist company.

Mr Gatensbury added that architects willsoon be appointed and the contract will beput out to tender with a schedule of a Maystart and completion by December thefollowing year.

Andrew James, North Staffs RegenerationZone’s Regeneration Projects Manager, said:“This is a prime opportunity to inject somenew life into Burslem and bring a historiciconic building back to it’s former glory, andmake Queen Street a real focal point for theemerging creative cluster.

“The project is just one of the many thatthe North StaffordshireRegeneration Zone is andwill be funding toimprove theappearance of thetown centre, andmake Burslem amore attractiveproposition forthose wishingto visit,invest, andlive in theMotherTown.”

Approval for £5.4 million restoration of

architectural treasure

The Victorian lecture theatre withits wooden pews will be fullyrefurbished for modern use.

Burslem Regeneration Company Director David Rogers andCity council Principal Regeneration Officer Rob Gatensburylook at plans for the restoration work.

■ Rudyard Kipling’s father,John Lockwood Kipling, andRobert Edgar designed thebuilding which took six yearsto erect.

■ It was named in honour ofJosiah Wedgwood as thebuilding stands on the site ofthe Brick House potteryworks which was rented bythe great Master Potter from1762 to 1770.

■ A foundation was laid byWilliam Gladstone – later tobecome Prime Minister – inOctober 1863.

■ The imposing facadecontains twelve hugeterracotta tiles depicting themonths of the year. Alsodisplayed are carvings of thepeople of the Potteriesperforming their differentskills, together with a statueof Josiah Wedgwood.

■ The Institute was builtwith funds raised by publicsubscription to make arts,science and literatureavailable to all.

■ During the late nineteenthcentury the Institute wasused by ceramic artistWilliam Moorcroft, authorArnold Bennett and pioneerof radio Oliver Lodge.

Above, the magnificentfacade with its finesculptures and finemosaics.Left, the Burslem crestmosaic which adorns thefloor of the entrance.Right, the statue of JosiahWedgwood which looksdown on Queen Street.

INSTITUTEfactfile:

A balconyfeature on thetop floor ofthe Institute.

Coach willhelp to turn ideasinto newbusinessesBURSLEM now has its own“guru” to help people with abright idea to turn it into asuccessful business andhelp boost the economy ofthe Mother Town.

A Business Coach hasbeen appointed toencourage buddingentrepreneurs in thecommunity to set up and runtheir own enterprises.

The scheme is open toanyone with an idea, skill,hobby or interest that hasthe potential to make thedream of starting their ownbusiness come true.

A partnership of housingcompany Touchstone andBizFizz has won fundingfrom the City Council’sNeighbourhood RenewalFund for the two yearinitiative to supporteconomic regeneration inBurslem and Middleport.

The two-year project aimsto start up five businesses in2007 and a further 12 in2008.

The Business Coach isCarolyn Powell who brings awealth of commercialexperience to help getenterprises off the groundand offer ongoing adviceand mentoring.

John Webbe, RegenerationManager for Touchstone,said: “The Business Coachscheme is extremely flexibleand open to all kinds ofpotential business ideas,including those that canoperate from home.

“A lot is going on inBurslem and Middleport toregenerate housing and theenvironment, but economicregeneration is just as vitaland this initiative willsupport the efforts toreinvigorate the localeconomy.”

For more details about theBusiness Coach schemecontact Touchstone on 01782 525570.

6 T H E A N G E L T H E A N G E L 7

WORK on a £5.4 million project torestore Burslem’s primearchitectural treasure, the

Wedgwood Institute, will begin in May.Funding has been approved for the three-

storey Grade ll* listed building whichcurrently is only partly used on the groundfloor as a library – with more than 1,600square metres of the historic structure in astate of dilapidation.

The scheme involves the complete repairand renovation of the Institute to expandthe library facilities, transform vacant areasinto 17 office units and create a 40-seatcommunity lecture theatre.

“It is the most exciting and the mostchallenging project in the regeneration ofthe Mother Town,” said BurslemRegeneration Company Director DavidRogers.

“We are over the moon that the moneyhas been made available. It is such amajestic building and its state of disrepairis one of the saddest sights in Burslem.

“We will now see the Wedgwood Instituterestored to its former glory and with amodern purpose in the future regenerationof the town.”

The finance “pot” is made up from threefunding partners – £2.5 million fromAdvantage West Midlands, accessedthrough the North StaffordshireRegeneration Zone; £1.5 from Stoke-on-Trent City Council and £1.4 million from theEuropean Regional Development Fund.

Initial works will include a new roof andclearing up the mess left by generations offeral pigeons which have made the buildingtheir roosting grounds.

City council Principal Regeneration OfficerRobert Gatensbury said: “Our first task is tomake sure the building is water-tight andsealed. We will then be re-wiring, installinga lift, providing high-speed broadbandconnections for the office units andgenerally repairing and refurbishing theinterior.”

Other features include the restoration ofa central courtyard area to create a coveredatrium and the sympathetic re-working of aVictorian lecture theatre – complete with itsoriginal wooden pews – for modern use.The building’s pièce de résistance, itsmagnificent facade with an array ofsculpture and fine mosaics, will be cleanedand restored by a specialist company.

Mr Gatensbury added that architects willsoon be appointed and the contract will beput out to tender with a schedule of a Maystart and completion by December thefollowing year.

Andrew James, North Staffs RegenerationZone’s Regeneration Projects Manager, said:“This is a prime opportunity to inject somenew life into Burslem and bring a historiciconic building back to it’s former glory, andmake Queen Street a real focal point for theemerging creative cluster.

“The project is just one of the many thatthe North StaffordshireRegeneration Zone is andwill be funding toimprove theappearance of thetown centre, andmake Burslem amore attractiveproposition forthose wishingto visit,invest, andlive in theMotherTown.”

Approval for £5.4 million restoration of

architectural treasure

The Victorian lecture theatre withits wooden pews will be fullyrefurbished for modern use.

Burslem Regeneration Company Director David Rogers andCity council Principal Regeneration Officer Rob Gatensburylook at plans for the restoration work.

■ Rudyard Kipling’s father,John Lockwood Kipling, andRobert Edgar designed thebuilding which took six yearsto erect.

■ It was named in honour ofJosiah Wedgwood as thebuilding stands on the site ofthe Brick House potteryworks which was rented bythe great Master Potter from1762 to 1770.

■ A foundation was laid byWilliam Gladstone – later tobecome Prime Minister – inOctober 1863.

■ The imposing facadecontains twelve hugeterracotta tiles depicting themonths of the year. Alsodisplayed are carvings of thepeople of the Potteriesperforming their differentskills, together with a statueof Josiah Wedgwood.

■ The Institute was builtwith funds raised by publicsubscription to make arts,science and literatureavailable to all.

■ During the late nineteenthcentury the Institute wasused by ceramic artistWilliam Moorcroft, authorArnold Bennett and pioneerof radio Oliver Lodge.

Above, the magnificentfacade with its finesculptures and finemosaics.Left, the Burslem crestmosaic which adorns thefloor of the entrance.Right, the statue of JosiahWedgwood which looksdown on Queen Street.

INSTITUTEfactfile:

A balconyfeature on thetop floor ofthe Institute.

Coach willhelp to turn ideasinto newbusinessesBURSLEM now has its own“guru” to help people with abright idea to turn it into asuccessful business andhelp boost the economy ofthe Mother Town.

A Business Coach hasbeen appointed toencourage buddingentrepreneurs in thecommunity to set up and runtheir own enterprises.

The scheme is open toanyone with an idea, skill,hobby or interest that hasthe potential to make thedream of starting their ownbusiness come true.

A partnership of housingcompany Touchstone andBizFizz has won fundingfrom the City Council’sNeighbourhood RenewalFund for the two yearinitiative to supporteconomic regeneration inBurslem and Middleport.

The two-year project aimsto start up five businesses in2007 and a further 12 in2008.

The Business Coach isCarolyn Powell who brings awealth of commercialexperience to help getenterprises off the groundand offer ongoing adviceand mentoring.

John Webbe, RegenerationManager for Touchstone,said: “The Business Coachscheme is extremely flexibleand open to all kinds ofpotential business ideas,including those that canoperate from home.

“A lot is going on inBurslem and Middleport toregenerate housing and theenvironment, but economicregeneration is just as vitaland this initiative willsupport the efforts toreinvigorate the localeconomy.”

For more details about theBusiness Coach schemecontact Touchstone on 01782 525570.

6 T H E A N G E L T H E A N G E L 7

FAMILY butcher Fred Miller is set to sell his50,000th Turkey this Christmas after twodecades of serving the Mother Town.

His shop in Queen Street is a favourite withBurslemites and other customers who travel fromfar and wide to buy their meat.

Fred’s festive fare has been a traditional partof Christmas celebrations every year inthousands of homes – and people rave about histasty trimmings such as home-made sausage andbacon rolls.

Now, the former Chairman of the BurslemChamber of Trade is looking forward towelcoming new customers as home building

moves at a pace at sites around the town.“The new homes are the key to the town’s

future and people living there will be Burslem’slife-blood,” said Fred.

“There used to be a marvellous bustlingatmosphere in the town at Christmas and I wouldlove to see those days return.”

From his Burslem shop, Fred supplies toprestaurants, hotels and public houses throughoutthe Midlands and North Wales.

He added: “It’s great to see significant moneybeing invested in Burslem and there seems to bea combined will to ensure its regeneration forfuture generations.”

THE magic of Christmascame to Burslem as thetown entered into thefestive spirit with fun forall the family.

It may have been Santa’sbusiest time – but he paida special visit with two ofhis elves to the BurslemArts and Crafts ChristmasFestival.

The Festival on SaturdayDecember 9th was one ofthe seasonal highlights forthe Mother Town.

There was plenty for theyoungsters-including freeentry to the Craft Club inthe Ceramica shop, photoportraits and the chance tomake their ownheaddresses with helpfrom the Cultural Sistersand Swan Bank MethodistChurch.

Building on the strongconnection to the arts inQueen Street, a large artsand crafts market was heldin the Burslem School ofArt which displayed a bigdecorated Christmas treedonated by ThompsonPerformance Cars of Stone.

The town centre camealive with the sound ofcarol singing, streetentertainers, festive foodand drink, beer samplingand a hog roast.

This is the thirdsuccessful Arts and CraftsFestival to be held in thetown and planning hasalready started for the nextone – on May 26th 2007.

Amanda Bromley, ofBurslem Arts and CraftsFestival, said: “Whilecreating the greattraditional Christmas spiritof yesteryear, we arelooking forward to anexciting new year that willbe good for the future ofBurslem.”

Carol singers were alsoin fine voice for the officialswitch-on of the lights onthe town centre ChristmasTree in Swan Square.

DENRY’S Restaurant, decked out in seasonalVictorian/Edwardian decorations, is one ofmany businesses capturing the spirit ofgoodwill. Diners are being asked to bring withthem gifts to be distributed to disadvantagedchildren.

Chef Wayne Doyle has doubled the clientelesince he bought the eatery two years ago –and has opened up the first floor as anadditional eating and special function area in

time for Christmas.And he will be serving up home made

Italian meals when he opens a new restaurantnext door in the former flower shop on thecorner of St Johns Square and Market Place inthe summer of 2007.

Wayne, who has cooked all over the worldbefore returning to his native city, said: “I amproud to be putting Burslem back on the map.It’s a town with great potential.”

Butcher serves upturkey milestone

Denry’s captures spirit of goodwill

Burslembutcher Fred

Miller and hiswife Christine

with their50,000th

turkey.

8 T H E A N G E L

Magic ofChristmascomes tothe town

THE New Year will bring a welcomenew look to two key approach routesto the centre of Burslem.

Work will start soon on the gatewayprojects that will give visitors a positiveimage of the town as they drive along thebusy east-west corridor, and both arescheduled for completion by the end ofMarch 2007.

One of the gateway projects will involveimprovements to the frontages of shopsand other business premises that line theroute from the roundabout at the top ofNewcastle Street, close to the Kwik Savesupermarket, to the Sir Henry Doultonstatue in Market Place.

The other project centres on a section ofMoorland Road from the advertisinghoardings near to Burslem police station tothe entrance to Burslem Park.

Both are funded by the NorthStaffordshire Regeneration Zone.

A landscaping programme that willinclude tree planting, new paving and theinstallation of stainless steel railings willbe carried out by Groundwork Stoke-on-Trent.

Much of the work will improve thefrontages of ageing buildings like theBurslem Enterprise Centre and the formerAlbany Works.

A team of volunteers – mainly youngadults – will carry out most of thelandscaping work as part of Groundwork’sintermediate labour market scheme thatprovides unemployed people with new

skills and work experience.Gareth Morgan, Senior Project Officer for

Groundwork’s landscape team, said: “Thevolunteers will be mostly from theBurslem area so they will play animportant part in the regeneration oftheir town as well as providing themwith skills and experience that willhelp them gain permanentemployment.”

Kevin Birks, Project Co-ordinator forthe Burslem Regeneration Company,said: “The projects will improve theappearance of the gateway areas andcreate a positive impression of Burslem asvisitors approach the town.”

Smartening‘gateways’into town

A WORLD-CLASS Burslem-based ceramiccompany has launched an excitingcompetition to encourage and promotedesign talent in North Staffordshire.

The Moorcroft Open DesignCompetition will give winners the chanceto work with the famous company’s ownstudio team to turn their design into aMoorcroft piece.

And it was appropriate that thosetaking part had to hand in their designideas for a specifically shaped vase atthe Burslem Arts and Crafts ChristmasFestival when it was held on December9th. The competition consists of threecategories – 4 to 11 year olds, 12 to 16

year olds and 17-plus. The winners willbe announced shortly after Christmas andthey will see their ideas take shape atthe Moorcroft pottery early in the NewYear.

The budding designers will work withMoorcroft’s own highly skilled teamthroughout the production process fromtube lining to the painting stage.

Kim Thompson, a director of Moorcroft,said: “Each of the winning designs willbe produced as a one-off piece. Ourchairman, Hugh Edwards, always has hisdoor open when it comes to discoveringnew talent in the field of ceramicsdesign, and you never know, the winners

could go on to have their design made bya world class local ceramic company suchas Moorcroft.”

Moorcroft are famous for discoveringthe talent of Emma Bossons, a youngfreelance painter with no formal training.Emma is now the youngest living Fellowof the Royal Society of Art and Moorcrofthave insured her life for £1 million!

Kim added: “We were delighted tolaunch the design competition in theMother Town of the Potteries. We want toencourage local design talent and it ispossible that success in the competitionwill lead to a career opportunity in theceramic industry.”

Opportunity for new ceramic design talent

Smartening‘gateways’into town

T H E A N G E L 9

Above, Gareth Morgan, Senior Project Officer for Groundwork’s landscape team, andSonja Suckling, Landscape Architect for Groundwork, study plans for improvements tothe Moorland Road gateway to Burslem. Below, an artist’s impression a paving andplanting scheme on the Jackson Street corner section of Moorland Road.

LOVE as well asregeneration is in the air,for the town centre’snewest business is-abridal wear shop.Roberta’s Bridal in MarketPlace offers a choice ofbeautiful but affordablewedding dresses, as wellas accessories and HolyCommunion wear.

Proprietor Kelly Oramsaid:” I decided to openthe business in Burslembecause this is a town thatis going places and Ibelieve it will attract manymore small independentshops like mine.”

Team with a vision ofquality designURBAN Vision North Staffordshire is helping

to form the big picture of what aregenerated Burslem will look like.

The architecture and urban design centre,based appropriately at the famous BurslemSchool of Art, provides support and trainingneeded to promote awareness of quality designall over North Staffordshire.

One of the services offered by Urban Vision is adesign review panel that evaluates proposals formajor developments. The panel has already hadan input in the ongoing Sadlers Park housingdevelopment and the planned £5.4 million projectto repair and refurbish the Wedgwood Institute.

Now Urban Vision North Staffordshire – part ofa growing national network of architecture andurban design centres – is expanding by makingtwo key appointments with funding fromAdvantage West Midlands the City Council andEnglish Heritage, to add to the existing team offive.

One is a professional design consultant withthe task to expand Urban Vision’s range of designreview services. The other is an education andtraining officer to run education programmes for

local authority elected members and officers,involve young people in schools and organisemaster classes for practitioners like designersand architects.

A recent master class was held by nationaltransport expert Peter Piet on how busy roadshave been re-designed to become morepedestrian friendly in areas of London likeKensington High Street – cases that have aparticular relevance for Burslem town centre.

And during the October school half term breakUrban Vision brought the national Big Draw event– a campaign to encourage people to draw – toCeramica where children caught the “design bug”by sketching their own home.

Mick Downs, Manager of Urban Vision, said: “Itis fitting that we are based in the School of Art, abuilding renowned for good design, because weare promoting design excellence throughout theprogramme of regeneration for Burslem andNorth Staffordshire.

“The advice, support and input we provide canhave a positive impact on all aspects of the builtenvironment – buildings, town centres and publicspaces.”

THE team hoping to opena community cafe atBurslem’s School of Artare staging a series ofexciting events to set toestapping. Hot on the heelsof their Christmas GlamRock extravaganza at theSchool, 21st CenturyPurple Productions – whoplan to open thePurpleberry Cafe in 2007 –are putting on a romanticValentine’s Evening, onFebruary 14, complete withstomping Cajun band andcomedian.

For more informationcontact Will Boyce on01782 622132.

Urban Vision Chief Executive Chris Taylor,left, and Manager Mick Downs study plansfor a new development at Burslem.

Love is inthe air...

Glam rockfestivities

Christmasbottled CHRISTMAS Ale fromBurslem’s very own TitanicBrewery is on sale in thetown and billed as “theperfect festive gift.”

The rich, dark beer, witha flavour described as“liquid Christmas cake”,can be bought in 500mlbottles from the Bull’sHead in St John’s Square.

More information isavailable on thewww.titanicbrewery.co.ukwebsite.

10 T H E A N G E L

BURSLEM is becoming a“hot spot” in NorthStaffordshire’s efforts to

combat the threat of climatechange.

The town’s Stoke on TrentCollege campus is forming thehub of a powerful partnershipto provide the sort ofrenewable energy systemsneeded to save the planet froman environmental catastrophe.

Superb facilities at theCollege’s John Seddon BuildingTechnology Centre are beingharnessed to train plumbingand heating professionals howto deliver “tomorrow’stechnology” today.

The Centre is forming linkswith heating and plumbingcompanies like BGC, ofBurslem, and Energy EfficiencyCentre near Festival Park.Training is being developed inthe skills needed for the newways of heating and lightingour homes. They include one ormore of the following:

● Solar heating panels fordomestic hot water, the fastestgrowing renewable energytechnology across Europe.

● Photo voltaic cell panels thatproduce electricity to powerlights and domestic appliances.

● Geo-thermal heating systemswhich utilise an undergroundpumped circulation networkthat recovers and convertsotherwise wasted heat from theearth’s surface into a homeheating and hot water system.

● The new generation ofenergy efficient boilers withover 90 per cent efficiency andable to re-use heat alreadygenerated.

● Wind turbines – another“clean” way to generateelectricity needed for the home.

All these are viable andsustainable alternatives toconventional energy sourcesthat produce the carbonemissions which arecontributing to global warming.

As well as the Collegefacility – which has covetedCentre of Vocational Excellence(CoVE) status – it is planned toprovide training for apprenticesand existing staff of localcompanies at the trainingfacility established by EnergyEfficiency Centre.

Ken Burgess, Head of the

College’s Faculty ofEngineering and Construction,said: “Renewable energysystems are becomingincreasingly popular and willplay an important role in newconstructions andrefurbishments going on aspart of the regeneration ofBurslem and other areas ofNorth Staffordshire.

“It’s appropriate that ourConstruction Centre plays itspart in this initiative to equiplocal people with the skills andqualifications needed to installrenewable energy systems andto meet high levels of energyefficiency now demanded bycurrent building legislation.”

RESIDENTS, traders andemployers are beinginvited to join a newgroup dedicated tobuilding a better futurefor the Mother Town.

The first meeting of theBurslem Forum takesplace on Thursday January25th at 7pm at the Ceramicashop and everyone iswelcome.

Joan Walley MP, one ofthe Burslem RegenerationCompany’s directors, said:“Burslem is changing andwe are appealing toeveryone to play their partin shaping its future.

“Many people andorganisations have stood byBurslem over the years andwill continue to do so. Nowwe want new blood to jointhe cause, from peoplemoving into the town tolive, to new businesses,community groups andmajor employers.”

● BurslemRegenerationCompany’s board of eightdirectors meets every monthwith regeneration partnersat the School of Art to worktowards improving allaspects of the town’s socialand economic future.

In our novel photographabove are four of thedirectors with Kevin Birks,the City council ProgrammeCo-ordinator for Burslemregeneration, pictured top

right, at the School of Art.The directors are, clockwisefrom bottom right, Citycouncillor Joy Garner,Chairman of Stoke-on-Trentand Staffordshire StrategicPartnership David Rogers,Stoke-on-Trent North MPJoan Walley and retiredpottery company ChairmanEd Yorke.

Campus is a spot forsomething hot

Everybody is ontheir way tothe forum...

PLEASE let us know about your views,ideas and initiatives by telephoning theregeneration company office on

01782 822935 or write to Project Co-ordinatorKevin Birks at Burslem RegenerationCompany, Unit 5, School of Art, QueenStreet, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 3EJ.

T H E A N G E L 11

Give us your views

The Angel is produced on behalf of Burslem Regeneration Company by Smith Davis Press

Heritage to be preserved inchanging townscapeTHE past, present and

future come together inthis panoramic picture of

the Bournes Bankredevelopment site.

Bulldozers and demolitioncrews have almost levelled theindustrial area once dominatedby the Johnson Mathey factorythat was one of Burslem’sbiggest employers.

Planning permission to build275 homes on the land – animportant phase of theregeneration programme for theMother Town – has beengranted.The land owners are inadvanced talks with City Councilofficers.

Dominating the landscapeopened up behind the School ofArt are three traditional

“bottlekilns” awarded Grade 2listed status in 1979 tocommemorate the city’s potterymaking tradition.

To be more accurate, theprotected brick structures are

free standing circular hovels todown draught ovens. They werebuilt for Acme Marls Ltdbetween 1937 and 1947 toreplace older ovens that hadbeen on that site since 1900.

The new housing will need tobe designed to blend with thebottle ovens, creating aharmonious mix of the old andthe new – and another keypiece the regeneration jigsaw.

BUILDING work on a new 90-homedevelopment near Burslem town centre isscheduled to start in Spring.

Outline planning permission has beengranted for the scheme on four-and-a-halfacres of land off Greenhead Street whichwas formerly a base for the Bibby RouteOne haulage company.

Chorley-based reclamation specialistsWoodford Land Ltd have acquired the siteand are currently carrying out preparation

work including demolition of existingbuildings and the treatment of old mineshafts.

Woodford Managing Director JasonParkinson said there had been stronginterest in the site from house builders andthey were currently in talks with onecompany. He added: “The homes will be amix of appartments, town houses, semisand a few detached houses. We are hopefulthat building work will begin in Spring,”

New 90 home scheme moves ahead