ANGELthe

AN UPDATE ON BURSLEM REGENERATION PROGRESS

ISSUE 4 Spring 2007

Why top chef Rick Stein believesBurslem is the world centre forWhy top chef Rick Stein believesBurslem is the world centre for

Page five Page three

oat-cuisineoat-cuisine

Could this be theface of The Angel?

National ceramic auctioncentre proposals unveiled

See page six

SIGNS of Spring are in theair as Burslem’s regenerationcontinues to gather pace andmore ‘seeds’ of improvementstart to grow into realprogress all around thetown.

Just as Winter turns toSpring, there are visiblesigns of change in theMother Town with newgrowth all around us.

There is a real feeling thatBurslem has turned thecorner, creating facilities forthe future and public spacesfor people to enjoy.

Take Burslem Park, whichis being improved to be on apar with the great parks ofEuropean cities, a place forpeople to meet and relax.

Burslem’s regeneration isabout more than bricks andmortar, and the parkdevelopment embodies thatspirit, with the new mosaicshaped by people’s ideas,new facilities like a picnicarea and better access tohelp more people enjoy thegreen, open spaces.

Elsewhere, more peopleare joining the regenerationefforts and it is veryencouraging to see morethan 100 people attend thefirst meeting of the BurslemForum. Now we have plans toinvolve even more people inthe town’s rebirth. The huntis on for more partnerspassionate for Burslem,wanting change, andwanting to be part of thatchange.

Things are gathering pace.Together we can build agreat future for Burslem.

Spring in theair as workgathers pace

By JoanWalleyMPActingChairman ofThe BurslemRegenerationCompany

2 T H E A N G E L

Hugh Edwards, Chairman of The Burslem RegenerationCompany, is away on business.

THE George Hotel has re-opened its doors undernew ownership – and the

famous Burslem landmark isset to play its part in therevival of the Mother Town.

Like Burslem itself, TheGeorge has seen better times,but the new regime isdetermined to restore thefaded glory of the town’s mainresidential hotel and put it atthe heart of the regenerationprogramme.

The historic 40-bedroomestablishment was closed fortwo months after the Londonand Edinburgh Swallow Groupwent into administration.

However in February a grandreopening marked a new andexciting era for the hotel whichis now operated by Essex-based Quartet HospitalityManagement on behalf of itsnew owner.

Malcolm Griffiths, the newGeneral Manager of TheGeorge, said: “The hotel is agrand old lady in need of a bitof tender loving care. I fullyintend to make sure thatpeople know The George isback in business.”

Basically the newmanagement plans to build upbookings for rooms and thehotel’s catering and hospitalityfacilities over the next sixmonths – then it’s intended toembark on a major programmeof refurbishment that willtransform The George into oneof the most prestigioushospitality venues in NorthStaffordshire.

Shropshire-born Malcolmbrings a wealth of experienceto his latest challenge. For nineyears he served in the RAFcatering for large anddemanding appetites, then hewas a personal butler to a peerof the realm and after a periodin contract catering joined thehotel business.

Assessing the scale of histask to breathe new life intoThe George, Malcolm said:“I’ve taken on more difficultchallenges – and succeeded inturning round the fortunes of

hotels that have becomesomewhat faded.”

He sees The George as anatural base for tourists as thearea attracts more visitors,while the imposing ballroomwill be a key element inmarketing the hotel for socialfunctions, wedding receptions,business conferences andmuch more.

As business builds up, morejobs will be created for localpeople, and the policy of thenew owners is to support thelocal economy as much aspossible. For instance, TheGeorge serves Titanic beerbrewed in Burslem and staffwill be trained by Stoke onTrent College to equip themwith nationallyrecognisedqualificationsin catering andhotelmanagement.

Malcolmsaid: “Duringmy firstweekend here I

took bookings for four weddingreceptions. This is just thestart, but I am very optimisticabout the future.

“We are developing TheGeorge at a steady pace as weare in this for the long haul,not to make a fast buck.Rooms will be re-opened asthe business builds up. I aimto make the hotel a focal pointof the town, so wheneverBurslem is mentioned youautomatically think of TheGeorge.

“With all the redevelopmentand regeneration that is goingon, I see a great potential forboth Burslem and The George.The hotel has a big part to playin the rejuvenation of thistown.”

FAYE Lacey, Deputy Manager of theGeorge Hotel, serves up a plate of Burslemoatcakes, hailed as a delectable delicacyby TV chef Rick Stein when he visited theMother Town on his search for Britain’sfood heroes - see page six.

Cover picture

By George! New ownersopen hotel for business

WELCOME TO BURSLEM... receptionist Larissa Daniels at theGeorge Hotel – back in business and under new ownership.

Plans unveiled to put market in national spotlight

T H E A N G E L 3

EXCITING proposals have been unveiledto create the UK’s first dedicatednational ceramic auction house at

Burslem as the centrepiece in a multi-million pound redevelopment of the MotherTown’s Victorian indoor market building.

A blueprint for the scheme – which wouldalso include a number of “sympathetic”retail outlets – has been submitted to theCity Council by St Modwen Properties, whoheaded up North Staffordshire’s flagshipdevelopments at Festival Park andTrentham Gardens.

Top-level talks have taken place betweenBurslem Regeneration Company, the CityCouncil and St Modwen – and it isenvisaged that one of Britain’s leadingauction houses would ultimately beinvolved.

Hugh Edwards, Chairman of BurslemRegeneration Company, has enthusiasticallywelcomed the plans which he believeswould be a major catalyst for the economicregeneration of the town.

He said: “Where better than the MotherTown of the Potteries to site a nationalceramic auction house for the UK. Adevelopment of this magnitude andsignificance in an iconic building like theindoor market would attract tens ofthousands of people a year to Burslem –that’s a lot of new pounds in the localeconomy.

“It would give the town a newpurpose and would attract substantialadditional investment and businesses.”

Mr Edwards, who is also Chairman ofthe world-famous Moorcroft potterycompany, revealed that the BurslemRegeneration Company had already hadtalks with leading auction houses aboutthe feasibility of plans and their possibleinvolvement.

He added: “We are a nation ofceramic lovers – yet there is nospecialist national ceramic auctionhouse. This scheme would provide amuch-needed facility in the UK whichwould also attract internationalbusiness. If all goes well this could beup and running in 18 months time.”

St Modwen Regional Director MikeHerbert said: “We are very excited aboutthe opportunity of carrying out thisdevelopment. We believe Burslem has realpotential to be a niche centre. The schemewould be an important element ofachieving that aim and would bring peopleand business into the Mother Town.”

The City Council’s Executive has givenofficials the go-ahead to enter intonegotiations with St. Modwen Propertiesover the development of the indoor marketbuilding, which is owned by the localauthority.

Head of Property Services Ian Brand said:

“We are now involved in discussing thedetails of the scheme and what needs to bedone to make it a reality. The refurbishmentand future use of the indoor market is keyto the future regeneration of the town andwe want to make sure we get it right.”

Mr Brand added that when detailedterms have been agreed the next stagewould be for the council to enter into a“development agreement” with St Modwenand Burslem Regeneration Company –which might be done by early summer.

Joint venture partners reveal blueprint for ceramicauction house

Above, Burslem RegenerationCompany Director David Rogers andProject Co-ordinator Kevin Birksinside the historic market building.

An artist’s impression of the entrance to the proposed ceramic auction centre.

4 T H E A N G E L

Residents are having their say on plans totransform the area’s housing market atspecial community meetings.

The Middleport, Burslem and Etruria ValleyCommunity Steering Group was formed inNovember 2006 in response to Renew NorthStaffordshire’s request for volunteers to workwith Inspire Developments on a housingmasterplan for the area.

Inspire – part of construction giant Seddon –are heavily involving the local community innegotiations on plans for Cobridge, Middleportand Burslem.

RENEW North Staffordshire is responsible forthe massive regeneration programme to breathenew life into the area’s housing market throughmajor investment.

The steering group holds monthly meetings atBurslem School of Art attended by the localauthority, Renew, Touchstone and Burslem

Regeneration Company to discuss proposals.Chairperson of the group, Brian Dawson, said:

“At the moment we are involved with all theregeneration partners in choosing a consultantwho will undertake the Area RegenerationFramework.

“This is an overall plan for the area and onewhich when completed and approved will formthe basis for the masterplan exercise which willtake it down to individual street level.

“The group has not been formed to makedecisions on behalf of the community. Our primeresponsibility is to ensure that the widercommunity is consulted and included at everystage rather than things happening without thegroup’s knowledge.”

A number of events are being arranged in thearea to make sure the community is involvedwith the planning so that they reflect the needsand aspirations of individual communities.

People’smosaic inthe park

Breweryscoopsawards

A colourful mosaic inspiredby the people of the MotherTown is set to take pride ofplace in the redevelopedBurslem Park.

In a special consultationexercise, people of all ageswere asked what Burslempark meant to them.

The ideas were given tomosaic specialist Rob Turner,whose finished work shouldtake pride of place in thepark in May as part of awider refurbishment by thecity council.

Gareth Morgan, ofGroundwork Stoke-on-Trent,said:”The mosaic will be acolourful reflection ofpeople’s feelings aboutBurslem Park.

With a diameter of about3.6metres it will certainlystand out as a landmark foreveryone to see and enjoy.”

BURSLEM’S very ownbrewery celebrated its 21stanniversary with a brace ofawards in the Campaign forReal Ale’s West MidlandsChampion Beer of the Yearcompetition.

Titanic Brewery’s stoutwas judged to be the BestStout in the West Midlandsfor the fourth time, whilethe White Star brew took thebronze medal in thePremium Bitter Category...an award in which itpreviously scooped firstprize.

Titanic Managing DirectorKeith Bott said: “You neverstop being thrilled whencustomers pick your beersas one of the best in anycompetition. The WestMidlands Beer of the yearwas the first contest we everwon back in 1993 and it isgreat to know that our beersare still some of the bestloved in the region.”

Brian Dawson, Chair of the Community Steering Group for Middleport, Burslem and Etruria Valley.

Residents help shapehomes for the future

Employees praised as pottery is savedTRIBUTES have been paid to the workforce ofan historic Burslem pottery saved fromclosure after it was bought out ofadministration.

Sighs of relief were breathed around thetown at news that Royal Stafford had beentaken over by an unnamed buyer, saving 70jobs.

The company – based at one of the

Potteries’ oldest factories – is renowned forits tableware the world over, but had falleninto difficulty as the weak dollar hit sales inthe USA.

Gerald Smith, corporate recovery partner atreceivers RSM Robson Rhodes, said: “Theworkforce have worked very hard to keepthings ticking over and I am pleased thebusiness has been sold as a going concern.”

T H E A N G E L 5

But could the stained glass pane,pictured above, rescued from aBurslem church built almost 200years ago, also be the face of THEAngel which watches over theMother Town from her vantagepoint atop the old Town Hall?

The uncanny likenessbetween the gilded statue andthe window pane from StPaul’s Church – demolished in1976 – is baffling localhistorians.

The window was saved byKeith Meeson, of Stanley, when hesaw the beautiful angel’s face in aMiddleport curio shop and bought it“for 30 bob.”

“My mother in law went to thechurch,” said Keith, “and I couldn’t resistbuying the piece of stained glass when Isaw it in the shop all those years ago.

“I have always been struck with howmuch it resembles the face of the angelon the old town hall – it’s a hauntingthought that there could be a link.”

Burslem-based historian Fred Hughesexplained that St Paul’s Church was builtin 1828, and the Old Town Hall, complete

with its golden angel was completed in1857. Fred said: “The town hall angel isa statue of Nike, the Greek Goddess ofvictory and a symbol of civic pride andachievement in Burslem.

“When St Paul’s was demolished inthe seventies most of its contents wereshipped to America where they were

sold. The window fragment is a realtreasure and there is an amazinglikeness between the two faces.

“Of course St Paul’s churchand town hall are linked, in thatboth were funded by civicspirited benefactors includingthe Davenport family fromLongport.”

The key to the mystery, andwhether or not there is a link

between the two angels, couldlie with Samuel Peploe Wood –

described in the 1850s as “a young,gifted Staffordshire sculptor” – who

not only created the town hall angel,but also carved the reclining figurescalled caryatids around the building’sclock tower.

Unfortunately, city archives hold nodetails of the model he used when hecarved the statue.

Keith Meeson said: “We will probablynever know if the two are related andthis will remain a real Burslem mystery.”● Can you crack the mystery of the St

Paul’s angel? Call The Angel newsdeskon 01782 829850.

THE flowing, golden hair, clearcomplexion and expression of serenitytruly are the face of an angel.

ORGANISERS of theBurslem Arts Festival arehoping the sun shinesbrighter on this year’s event– after moving it to themiddle of summer.

Despite a successfulprogramme of events lastMay – attracting hundredsof visitors to the MotherTown – rainfall meant somelocals stayed away.

This year, preparationsare already underway for apacked schedule withdemonstration artists, on-street entertainment, amarket and stage in QueenStreet already confirmed.

Local potterymanufacturers – likeMoorcroft, Moorland andBurleigh – will bedisplaying their wares while

the Leopard, George Hoteland Bulls Head will bestaging four days of musicin the run up to the event.

Amanda Bromley,Managing Director ofBurslem based companyJellifish, who help toorganise the festival, said:“It will now be in June inthe hope that the weatherwill be kind – helping to

make this a reallywonderful visitor attractionand showcasing the work oflocal artists.

“We have a packedprogramme shaping upalready and much more inthe pipeline.

“This event will help putBurslem on the festival mapin North Staffordshire andbring tourists into the area.”

Summer festival to showcase talents

Could thisbe the faceof TheAngel? Keith

Meeson withthe stained

glass panel hepicked up for“30 bob” at aMiddleportcurio shop.

T HE City Council and PortVale Football Club haveteamed up to provide

Burslem with a groundbreakingservice for children and theirfamilies.

Building work has started on anew “one stop shop” Children’sCentre in the Lorne Street Standdevelopment at Vale Parkfollowing Government approvalfor the project which will costnearly £800,000.

Catering for children agedfrom three months to five yearsas well as their parents, theexciting new facility brings awide range of services underone roof and is scheduled toopen its door at the beginningof April 2008.

The basic aim is to give thetown’s youngsters the bestpossible start in life – whileopening up opportunities thatwill enrich the lives of theirparents.

The project has been partlyfunded with a £245,000 grant

from the North StaffordshireRegeneration Zone. Theremaining cost of the project hasbeen met by £550,000Government funding from theDepartment of Education andSkills (DFES).

External and enabling worksuch as the installation of drainsand footpaths has alreadystarted on site, and the interiorof the single-storey Centre willsoon begin to take shape. TheCentre – one of a network of five

planned across Stoke-on-Trent –will be a dedicated service forBurslem. At the moment childrenand their families from the townhave to share facilities at theStoke North Children’s Centre onBishop’s Road, Chell.

The new Centre will offer thefollowing services:

Early Education IntegratedWith Day Care – a creche forparents while they use servicesat the Centre; sign posting tolocal day care providers suitable

for working parents; support forchild minders in the area; earlyidentification of children withspecial needs and disabilities,plus inclusive services andsupport for their families.

Family Support and ParentalOutreach – visits to all childrenin the catchment area within twomonths of birth; access tospecialist services; parentingsupport and information,information and advice onparenting skills at key stages;increase parents’ understandingof their child’s development;increase involvement of fathers.

Child and Family HealthServices – ante natal advice andsupport for parents; informationand guidance on breast feeding,hygiene, nutrition and safety;identify, support and care forthose suffering maternaldepression; speech, languageand other specialist support;help to stop smoking.

In addition the Centre will bea community hub able to put

parents in touch with suitablechildminders and out of schoolactivities, as well as helpingparents to access career andtraining opportunities that willgive them and their families abetter quality of life.

Partners include headteachers and health providershave been consulted to ensurethat the Centre’s services will betailored to local needs.

There will be extensivecommunity consultation, with aseries of public meetings atwhich floor plans of the Centrecan be seen. The community willalso be invited to choose thename of the Centre.

Adele Eaton, Project Officerwith The Early Years andChildcare Service which isdeveloping the new children’scentres across the city, said:

“Vale Park is an ideal locationas Port Vale is at the heart ofthe community, bothgeographically and symbolically.The football club have made atremendous contribution to theproject. The Children’s Centrewill provide holistic support forchild development, support tofamilies with young children andwill facilitate the return to workof those parents currentlyunemployed.”

Vale Chairman Bill Bratt said:“I am delighted that enablingwork has started, thanks to theNorth Staffs Regeneration Zonefunding. This is the fruition of18 months hard work behind thescenes. The Children’s Centre isa vital part of Port Vale’s aim tomake Vale Park stadium acommunity venue that will beused seven days a week.”

Artist’s impression of the completed Lorne Street stand development atVale Park. The children’s centre is at the bottom right.

FAMILY SUPPORT... the Port Vale children’s centre will hosta whole range of facilities like the Crescent Children’s Centreat Meir, pictured, including childcare, health and training.

TOP TV chef Rick Stein paidhomage to the mightyPotteries oatcake and toldmillions of viewers that thebest examples of the delicacyare griddled in Burslem.

A DVD box set featuring histrip to the Mother Town forthe Food Heroes series is nowon sale to food lovers aroundthe globe... putting Burslemeven more firmly on the map.

Many Boslemites wereastonished when, during theepisode of Rick Stein’s FoodHeroes, the renownedseafood chef drove upNewcastle Street, past theold town hall and on to oneof the town’s oatcake shopsfor a taste of Stoke-on-Trenttradition.

After eating an oatcakedeliciously filled with pipinghot bacon and cheese, hesaid: “I’ve a friend whocomes from these parts andwho now lives in Bristol andif you mention that youintend to travel north he asksif you could pick him up acouple of dozen oatcakesfrom Burslem, and it must befrom Burslem, on the wayback south. He yearns forthem. I know what it's likefor the Cornish to bedeprived of proper pastiesbut the same yearning for atribal food certainly applieshere.”

Rick Stein’staste of theMotherTown

6 T H E A N G E L

Top TV chef Rick Stein – a fan of Burslem oatcakes.

FIVE large silver gatewaysigns are set to proudlyproclaim: “Welcome toBurslem – Mother Town ofthe Potteries.”

Installed at key entrancesto the town, the signs arepart of a major tourismcampaign promoting Burslemacross the Midlands.

Nine large signs are beingput up around the towncentre to create aninteresting heritage trailtelling the story of Burslem’srich history.

As well as showing mapsof the area, historic picturesand photographs, the boardsoffer quirky, little knownfacts about Burslem, like thefact that master potter JosiahWedgwood had a wooden leg– his leg was amputatedafter he contracted smallpox.

Local schoolchildren havedrawn their own pictures ofBurslem’s history and one ofthese is featured on each ofthe A1 boards.

Tourism marketing officerJulie Obada said: “We havealso produced a leafletgiving information aboutthings to do and places toeat and drink in Burslem.

“That is being distributedthroughout Staffordshire,Derbyshire, Shropshire,Cheshire and the WestMidlands to promote thebest of Burslem.”

Welcometo Burslemcampaign

One of the gateway signs thatwill welcome visitors toBurslem.

T H E A N G E L 7

Vale Park centre top of the league for families

Joan Walley MP, left, visits the site of the Port Vale children’scentre with Karen Yeomans, Corporate Director of government

development agency Advantage West Midlands

Club and council join forces to offer pioneering one stop shop to support community

Vale Chairman Bill Bratt, right, and city council Project ManagerIan Barber study plans as work on the children’s centre progresses.

T HE City Council and PortVale Football Club haveteamed up to provide

Burslem with a groundbreakingservice for children and theirfamilies.

Building work has started on anew “one stop shop” Children’sCentre in the Lorne Street Standdevelopment at Vale Parkfollowing Government approvalfor the project which will costnearly £800,000.

Catering for children agedfrom three months to five yearsas well as their parents, theexciting new facility brings awide range of services underone roof and is scheduled toopen its door at the beginningof April 2008.

The basic aim is to give thetown’s youngsters the bestpossible start in life – whileopening up opportunities thatwill enrich the lives of theirparents.

The project has been partlyfunded with a £245,000 grant

from the North StaffordshireRegeneration Zone. Theremaining cost of the project hasbeen met by £550,000Government funding from theDepartment of Education andSkills (DFES).

External and enabling worksuch as the installation of drainsand footpaths has alreadystarted on site, and the interiorof the single-storey Centre willsoon begin to take shape. TheCentre – one of a network of five

planned across Stoke-on-Trent –will be a dedicated service forBurslem. At the moment childrenand their families from the townhave to share facilities at theStoke North Children’s Centre onBishop’s Road, Chell.

The new Centre will offer thefollowing services:

Early Education IntegratedWith Day Care – a creche forparents while they use servicesat the Centre; sign posting tolocal day care providers suitable

for working parents; support forchild minders in the area; earlyidentification of children withspecial needs and disabilities,plus inclusive services andsupport for their families.

Family Support and ParentalOutreach – visits to all childrenin the catchment area within twomonths of birth; access tospecialist services; parentingsupport and information,information and advice onparenting skills at key stages;increase parents’ understandingof their child’s development;increase involvement of fathers.

Child and Family HealthServices – ante natal advice andsupport for parents; informationand guidance on breast feeding,hygiene, nutrition and safety;identify, support and care forthose suffering maternaldepression; speech, languageand other specialist support;help to stop smoking.

In addition the Centre will bea community hub able to put

parents in touch with suitablechildminders and out of schoolactivities, as well as helpingparents to access career andtraining opportunities that willgive them and their families abetter quality of life.

Partners include headteachers and health providershave been consulted to ensurethat the Centre’s services will betailored to local needs.

There will be extensivecommunity consultation, with aseries of public meetings atwhich floor plans of the Centrecan be seen. The community willalso be invited to choose thename of the Centre.

Adele Eaton, Project Officerwith The Early Years andChildcare Service which isdeveloping the new children’scentres across the city, said:

“Vale Park is an ideal locationas Port Vale is at the heart ofthe community, bothgeographically and symbolically.The football club have made atremendous contribution to theproject. The Children’s Centrewill provide holistic support forchild development, support tofamilies with young children andwill facilitate the return to workof those parents currentlyunemployed.”

Vale Chairman Bill Bratt said:“I am delighted that enablingwork has started, thanks to theNorth Staffs Regeneration Zonefunding. This is the fruition of18 months hard work behind thescenes. The Children’s Centre isa vital part of Port Vale’s aim tomake Vale Park stadium acommunity venue that will beused seven days a week.”

Artist’s impression of the completed Lorne Street stand development atVale Park. The children’s centre is at the bottom right.

FAMILY SUPPORT... the Port Vale children’s centre will hosta whole range of facilities like the Crescent Children’s Centreat Meir, pictured, including childcare, health and training.

TOP TV chef Rick Stein paidhomage to the mightyPotteries oatcake and toldmillions of viewers that thebest examples of the delicacyare griddled in Burslem.

A DVD box set featuring histrip to the Mother Town forthe Food Heroes series is nowon sale to food lovers aroundthe globe... putting Burslemeven more firmly on the map.

Many Boslemites wereastonished when, during theepisode of Rick Stein’s FoodHeroes, the renownedseafood chef drove upNewcastle Street, past theold town hall and on to oneof the town’s oatcake shopsfor a taste of Stoke-on-Trenttradition.

After eating an oatcakedeliciously filled with pipinghot bacon and cheese, hesaid: “I’ve a friend whocomes from these parts andwho now lives in Bristol andif you mention that youintend to travel north he asksif you could pick him up acouple of dozen oatcakesfrom Burslem, and it must befrom Burslem, on the wayback south. He yearns forthem. I know what it's likefor the Cornish to bedeprived of proper pastiesbut the same yearning for atribal food certainly applieshere.”

Rick Stein’staste of theMotherTown

6 T H E A N G E L

Top TV chef Rick Stein – a fan of Burslem oatcakes.

FIVE large silver gatewaysigns are set to proudlyproclaim: “Welcome toBurslem – Mother Town ofthe Potteries.”

Installed at key entrancesto the town, the signs arepart of a major tourismcampaign promoting Burslemacross the Midlands.

Nine large signs are beingput up around the towncentre to create aninteresting heritage trailtelling the story of Burslem’srich history.

As well as showing mapsof the area, historic picturesand photographs, the boardsoffer quirky, little knownfacts about Burslem, like thefact that master potter JosiahWedgwood had a wooden leg– his leg was amputatedafter he contracted smallpox.

Local schoolchildren havedrawn their own pictures ofBurslem’s history and one ofthese is featured on each ofthe A1 boards.

Tourism marketing officerJulie Obada said: “We havealso produced a leafletgiving information aboutthings to do and places toeat and drink in Burslem.

“That is being distributedthroughout Staffordshire,Derbyshire, Shropshire,Cheshire and the WestMidlands to promote thebest of Burslem.”

Welcometo Burslemcampaign

One of the gateway signs thatwill welcome visitors toBurslem.

T H E A N G E L 7

Vale Park centre top of the league for families

Joan Walley MP, left, visits the site of the Port Vale children’scentre with Karen Yeomans, Corporate Director of government

development agency Advantage West Midlands

Club and council join forces to offer pioneering one stop shop to support community

Vale Chairman Bill Bratt, right, and city council Project ManagerIan Barber study plans as work on the children’s centre progresses.

8 T H E A N G E L

MORE historic buildings in Queen Street are being refurbished to providelive-work space and new homes for

creative businesses.The former Cliffe’s fashion shop at 13-15 Queen

Street will house eight more creative businessesin six Live/Work units and two morecraft/workshop outlets.

Work started on the new development as theneighbouring property, 7-11 Queen Street, becamefully occupied with a number of businesses.

As well as six Live/Work units, there are also

three craft/workshops fronting onto the mainstreet, which are now home to:

● A gallery, selling artwork and designer bags.

● An extension of the Burslem Arts FestivalGroup called Burslem Arts selling locallyproduced art and craft works.

● A local events and wedding photographer.The refurbishment of 13-15 Queen Street will

see many of the building’s Victorian featuresretained, although a 1960s extension at the rearof the property will be demolished and replaced

with an enclosed staircase leading to theLive/Work units.

The latest phase of the redevelopment ofQueen Street as a Creative Quarter forBurslem is set to be complete by the end ofthe year.

The two Live/Work/Retail developmentshave cost £1.6million and were jointlyfunded by housing company Touchstone,North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone andthe Housing Corporation.

Touchstone Regeneration Manager JohnWebbe said: “The Creative Quarter of QueenStreet also contains the School of Art andWedgwood Institute, as well as the businessunits around the indoor market .

“The extra investment to bring 13-15 backinto use will continue the street’s rebirth,bringing new companies to Burslem andbuilding on the town’s rich creative heritage.

“With the European-funded refurbishmentof the Wedgwood Institute set to furtherboost the town, Queen Street is certainlylooking at an exciting future.”

Creative street is town’s

crowning glory

Local artist Marina Hussain with some of her work in the stylish new retail unit at Queen Street.

Touchstone Senior Regeneration Manager John Webbeoutside 13-15 Queen Street, where work is underwayto create live/ework and retail outlets.

LOCAL sponsors arepaying to build apermanent monument to57 miners who lost theirlives 65 years ago in amining disaster deepbeneath Burslem.

Burslem builder CJBayley is setting a 6ftdiameter pit wheel on astone plinth outsideCeramica.

Former miner KeithMeeson, who hascampaigned for the lastingmemorial to those killedin the 1942 Sneyd pitdisaster, is raising cash tobuild the memorial with asponsored walk calling inon local companiessupporting the bid.

It is hoped the memorialcould be unveiled in May.

Buildings inthe picture

Memorialtribute

A STUDY of the mostimportant historicalbuildings in NorthStaffordshire will beshowcased in Burslem.

The Brilliant Buildingsproject, run by UrbanVision North Staffordshire(UVNS), aims to record themajor changes happeningacross the area astraditional industrydeclines and newemployment takes itsplace.

It appealed to the publicto capture specialbuildings on camera to beincluded in a new bookreleased later this year. Atwo-week exhibition of theworks will also be held atCeramica from April 10until April 20.

The competitionattracted a number ofentries from the MotherTown thanks to arguablythe richest stretch of canalfor industrial heritage inEngland and a vast rangeof other stunningbuildings.

Among the entries arethe George Hotel, Ceramicaand Barclays Bank.

DEVELOPERS building hundreds of new homes in Burslem are flying the flag forenvironmentally-friendly living after receiving

more than £2 million from English Partnerships.The Government regeneration agency has

supported Countryside Properties’ Sadlers Parkdevelopment after throwing down the gauntlet tohousebuilders across the UK to deliverenvironmentally sustainable communities.

Countryside secured the funding through itscommitment to achieving English Partnership'sstandards for creating sustainable communities.These standards cover a variety of importantdesign considerations including architecture,landscaping, car parking, security, fire safety andenergy efficiency. Indeed, Sadlers Park is the firstmajor residential development in Burslem to bedesigned to achieve a ‘very good’ rating in theEcohomes scheme – an independentenvironmental labelling for housing.

Energy efficient features in the houses andapartments include:

● A-rated kitchen appliances as standard.

● High efficiency condensing central heating boilers.

● The use of energy efficient lighting in communal areas

● Drying rails in bathrooms.

Conservation features include the use ofrenewable sourced timber, dual flush toilets forwater conservation, waterbutts to re-use rainwaterand the provision of recycling bins.

Countryside Properties Associate MarketingDirector Mike Meredith said: “Ecohomes assessesthe environmental quality of a development byconsidering the broad concerns of climate change,use of resources, pollution and impacts on bio-diversity. Prospective buyers can be reassured thatnot only will their choice of home have less impacton the environment, but it also comes with thevery practical benefits of reduced running costsand lower maintenance.”

● The second phase of homes at Sadlers Park hasnow been released. For more details, call the salesoffice on (01782) 839305.

BUDDING designers showed off their creativetalents thanks to a leading local pottery firm.

During the Burslem Arts & Crafts Festival,Moorcroft PLC asked youngsters to come upwith their own original design andwatercolour.

The winners and runners-up from each ofthree age groups – 4-11 years, 12-16 yearsand 17+ years – then visited Moorcroft towatch their designs being painted and tube-lined by leading artists.

The vases and watercolours are on displayin the Moorcroft Museum, until April 1 whenthey will be presented to the winners.

Students scoopdesign prizes

Start dateannouncedWORK on the £5.4mrefurbishment of Burslem’shistoric Wedgwood Instituteis set to start this October.

Design of the project isbeing co-ordinated byspecialist conservationarchitects Purell MillerTritton and companies arebeing shortlisted for thefirst stage of constructionworks tenders.

Specialist structural,mechanical andelectricalengineers havealready beenappointedand a starton site isplannedfor theautumn.

CountrysideProperties SalesConsultantDebbie Fordshows energyefficientappliances fittedin kitchens atSadlers Park.

Moorcroft DesignerSian Leeper, left,

with prizewinners,left to right,

Megan Simpson, 6,Siobahn Ballan, 15,

and CarolineHerbert, 18.

£4m grant flies flag forgreen living

T H E A N G E L 9

LEADING regeneration charity The CivicTrust has chosen Burslem to be a pilotproject for including residents andbusiness in shaping the future of theircommunities.

The independent, nationalorganisation, which represents morethan 800 civic societies across the UK,proposed the move after talks with theBurslem Regeneration Company and theinaugural meeting of the Burslem Forumin January.

It is hoped the High Street UK pilotproject could lead to groups ofresidents and businesses being set up

to play an important advisory role indrawing up plans and proposals for thefuture.

Elsewhere in the UK, the Trust has animpressive track record of working withpeople to promote thriving towns andvillages, developing dynamicpartnerships between communities,government and business to deliverregeneration and local improvement.

It normally creates a co-ordinatinggroup to seek out interested volunteerswho want to have an input and make adifference for their communities.

Normally this includes setting up an

economic development group, marketinggroup and design group, all of whomfeed into the planning, developmentand regeneration processes.

Joan Walley MP, who has continuallychampioned the need for more peopleto become involved in the regenerationof the Mother Town, said: “We arecreating conditions where everyone canmaximise their input and play a part inthe future of Burslem. Then we have tostrengthen the individual contributionthat people can make as a result ofknowing that Burslem has an excitingfuture of growth.”

10 T H E A N G E L

Leading the way on community participation

MEET super commuterClaire White – herhome is in Burslem

and her office is near to thecentre of London.

The 26-year-old magazineproduction managercatches the 7.20am inter-city train from Stoke andis at her desk by 9.10am.After a day at work in thecapital, she is back home inthe Mother Town by 7.30pm.

Claire, originally fromMadeley in NorthStaffordshire, loves living inBurslem so much that shehelped to show a party ofLondon-based young self-employed professionals thetown’s potential as a place tolive and base theirbusinesses.

The visit, organised byNorth StaffordshireRegeneration Zone, took theguests to Moorcroft Pottery,Burslem School of Art andCeramica and they wereparticularly impressed by thelive/work units at 7-11 QueenStreet.

During the day the visitorsmet the town’s MP Joan Walleyand before catching the trainhome – their first class travelwas donated by Virgin Trains –the young people had achance to meet the locals overa relaxing drink at the Bull’sHead in St John’s Square.

Claire, who hopes to showmore young professionalsfrom London what Burslemhas to offer them, said: “I doa lot of work on my lap top onthe train.

It is much more pleasantand actually less timeconsuming than commuting inthe south-east.

“I would like to attract moreyoung people like me out ofLondon and into Burslem. Ifthey just live here theycontribute to the economy,but basing their businesseshere will also generate jobs.

“I find Burslem is affordableand there is now a real buzzabout the place with all thenew building and regenerationthat is going on.”

So what did the visitors

from London think ofBurslem?

Mustafa Arif, 27, a freelancebusiness and technologyconsultant who is fromLondon, said: “Previously Ihad only passed throughStoke on the train toManchester. I am pleasantlysurprised now I’ve seen thearea, and I am particularlyimpressed with the supportand good facilities there arefor small businesses inBurslem. I’ll certainly keep aneye on Burslem and see if ithas anything for me.”

Nigel Harris, 24, a freelancecorporate tax consultant, said:“It is a good niche area for mykind of business services. Iwas also impressed with thearchitecture of many of thebuildings. Burslem has greatpotential.”

Lila Allen, 24, a traineejournalist currently on a BBCsponsorship scheme, said: “IfI had a good business idea Iwould struggle in London.Here I could develop it.Burslem has a very goodsupport network that can helpmake dreams come true.”

Professionals visit townwhere businesses

grow

Claire White, left, shows young Londonprofessionals Nigel Harris, Mustafa Arifand Lila Allen round the Mother Town.

T H E A N G E L 11

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

01782 822935 or write to the Burslem RegenerationCompany, Unit 5, School of Art, QueenStreet, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 3EJ.

Give us your views

BURSLEM’S famous Leopard Hotel –once Josiah Wedgwood’s “local” –has roared back into life with

ambitious plans for the future.Not long after fears the pub

immortalised as The Tiger in ArnoldBennett’s Clayhanger could close, newtenants have breathed new life into thefavourite haunt.

Prodigal son Neil Crisp – who grew up atThe Bowler Hat pub in Moorland Road(now the Old Smithy) and learned his tradeas a restauranteur as far afield as Italy,New York, Russia and Cornwall – camehome to take up residency at the Leopard

and has already announced exciting plans.The new menu featuring signature

dishes like wood pigeon, duck and orangesausages and fresh seafood includingmussells, is proving a popular attraction atthe smoke-free pub.

Now meetings have been held to explorethe possibility of refurbishing the hotel’sforgotten accommodation... 58 bedroomswhich were used by generations oftravellers visiting the thriving pottery townof Burslem.

Neil Crisp – who as a teenager ran thedisco at the Bowler Hat where his parentswere publicans – said: “The Leopard has aunique place at the heart of Mother Townhistory. It was where Josiah Wedgwoodand James Brindley sat down in 1765 todiscuss plans for the Trent and MerseyCanal and is one of the Mother Town’sfinest old buildings.

“We are tremendously excited abouteverything that’s happening in Burslemand see a great future for The Leopard aspart of the town’s regeneration.”

A special charity launch event on April15 will see the Leopard staff attempt tobreak a 151 year old record.

In 1856 the then landlady of TheLeopard May Leese astonished diners bycooking an amazing 142 different dishes.This year, the present day chef and teamwill do one better by cooking 143 differentdishes, all in aid of Macmillan CancerResearch.

EXPERTS based in Burslem are playing animportant part in the regeneration ofNorth Staffordshire by helping employersto upskill their workforces.

Training and Consultancy Services(TCS) – at Stoke on Trent College’sMoorland Road Campus – offer flexiblepackages to help businesses make themost of the people they employ.

The service appeals to all sizes ofcompany and offers:● Free training needs analysis● Training and personal development● Up-to-date training on all aspects of

employment legislation● Recruitment solutions● Business consultancy

Head of Training and ConsultancyServices Andy Greenhough said: “We canremove the burden of researching anddelivering a wide range of businesssolutions.

“Our team members are equipped to

discuss the requirements of a companywith empathy, and with the benefit oftheir own practical knowledge ofbusiness, before developing a wayforward that saves time, energy andmoney.”

Packages offered by TCS include:● A brokerage service which discusses

employers’ needs and proposes trainingat a number of Staffordshire Colleges.

● Flexible, online learning which allowsemployees to train 24 hours a day at atime which suits them.

● Helping small to medium sizedbusinesses to make the most oftraining and special funding available.

● Short courses to train groups ofemployees with skills to meet anemployer’s specific needs.

For more information on how TCS canhelp boost a workforce, please call 01782 603 603 or email:employerservices@stokecoll.ac.uk

Expert team helps businessesboom through retraining

Roaringtrade

Avove, Burslem’s historic Leopard Hotel.

Neil Crisp with a Leopardspeciality – quail andbacon salad.

BURSLEM’S regenerationwill be featured on one ofBritain's best-loved TV

shows when the AntiquesRoadshow comes to town inMay.

Landmark canalside buildingsat Middleport, restored as partof a huge heritage regenerationinitiative, will provide anappropriately historic venue forhost Michael Aspel and histeam of experts.

It is hoped members of thepublic will bring along someceramic treasures for theprogramme, which this yearcelebrates its 30th anniversaryand regularly attracts audiencesof more than 10 million viewers.

Michael Aspel will present hisintroduction to the show from

the canal towpath atMiddleport, showing the extentof the works which havetransformed an industrialeyesore into an attractivegateway to the Mother Town.

Central to the work were theMiddleport Pottery andAnderton Buildings, built in

1888 and 1890 respectively.New roofs and refurbishmentare being completed in ascheme costing more than£500,000.

Special attention is beingpaid to the unique timberstructure jutting out from theAnderton building over the

waterway... a unique featurefrom a bygone era.

Boatyard offices at LongportWharf are also beingrefurbished, with roofing workand replacement of windows intraditional cast iron.

Once completed MiddleportPottery and the AndertonBuilding will be lit with specialarchitectural lighting so thecanalside quarter will be visiblefrom the A500, an attractivegateway to the city showcasingthe Potteries industrial heritage.

Conservation Project ManagerPeter Quincey said: “Thecanalside is the flagship of thewhole initiative and it is greatto be able to showcase work inBurslem to such a hugeaudience.”

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

A GEORGIAN vicarage is being restored toits original glory – providing an attractivegateway into Burslem town centre.

The Old Vicarage on Newcastle Street,which was built in the early nineteenthcentury, is being given a £300,000 faceliftby Steelite International and theMiddleport Townscape Heritage Initiative.

The work will mean the constructionand repair of many original featuresgreeting tourists and investors whoaccess the town via Middleport andPorthill.

The building will be used as offices forBurslem-based Steelite International –

which manufactures and distributesceramic tableware and tabletop productsto the hospitality industry.

Extensive external restoration work isbeing carried out on the roof, guttering,portico and brickwork in addition to therebuilding of a perimeter wall withoriginal pattern wrought iron railings.

Steelite International’s Colin Barrowsaid: “This once fine late Georgianproperty was originally built as thevicarage to St Paul's.

“The building will be extensivelyexternally renovated and restored to itsoriginal size and condition.”

Conservation Project Manager PeterQuincey said: “This building is ofhistorical importance and has strong tieswith the local community.

“The works will provide a muchimproved gateway to Middleport andBurslem and bring further visitors into thearea when Burslem fulfils its potential ofbecoming a tourist hotspot.”

The Middleport Townscape HeritageInitiative, which is part-funding the work,consists of the Heritage Lottery Fund,Advantage West Midlands, North StaffsRegeneration Zone and Stoke-On-TrentCity Council.

Restored vicarage provides historic gateway

WORK IN PROGRESS... Conservation Project

Manager Peter Quinceyinspects refurbishmentof historic Middleport

Pottery which isforging ahead in

time for theAntiques Roadshow

broadcast.

Millions to see Burslem asroadshow comes to town

Restoration work at historic Longport Wharf.