ANGELthe

AN UPDATE ON BURSLEM REGENERATION PROGRESS

ISSUE 5 Summer 2007

New businesses, new jobs

Why isBurslemon the up?AskAspel!

See page four

Antiques Roadshow30th anniversary specialcomes to town

Pages six–nine

Plans unveiled forstylishpiazzaPage two

BURSLEM RegenerationCompany is about to enteran exciting new era with newrules, a new role and newopportunities.

Stoke-on-Trent City Councilhas been reorganised in thelast few months and with thearrival of Tom McCarthy tohead up regeneration in thecity there are some reallybright lights on the horizon.

The Government wants togive organisations likeBurslem RegenerationCompany the autonomy tolead partnerships and jointventures at the heart ofbuoyant regeneration of theirarea.

We now expect thecompany to come into itsown as an active partner,rather than a supervisor.

We aim to have a new,proactive role at the heart ofjoint ventures to takeforward all aspects of thetown’s future.

The first project we areinvolved in is the proposedregeneration of the town’sindoor market, but there willbe many more to come.

We are looking to bid forfunding and put forwardprojects with a spirit ofenterprise.

The climate is right forBurslem to lead the way inthe UK with a communitycompany formed by peoplewho care passionately aboutthe town driving forward itsfuture.

The new rules will give ourefforts real bite and we arelooking forward to thechallenges of blazing a trailfor the whole country with anew way of working toimprove all our futures.

Bright lightsshine on thehorizon

By HughEdwards Chairman ofThe BurslemRegenerationCompany

2 T H E A N G E L

IDEAS from Burslem’s public will feature in ascheme to create a stylish piazza in SwanSquare. Subterranean toilets on the site will

be filled in to make way for a public areaincluding tree planting, paved terraces andcomfortable seating areas.

Plans for the square went on public displayand comments from people who visited theexhibition have been woven into the schemeitself.

The initiative – developed by the City Counciland North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone –include areas to accommodate outdoor marketstalls. It is hoped work on the £268,000scheme will start this autumn with completion

by Spring 2008.City Council Principal Regeneration Officer

Rob Gatensbury said: “Public art will alsofeature in the scheme and we are looking forideas for colourful glass and ceramic detail inthe paving which might reflect Burslem’sheritage, be some kind of memorial or portray atheme like the works of Arnold Bennett.”

Andrew James, Project Manager NorthStaffordshire Regeneration Zone said: “We haveworked hard with the City Council to ensure thedesign for the scheme has a ‘wow’ factor. I’mlooking forward to seeing the finished projectand believe it will have a really positive impacton Queen Street.”

A CRUCIAL decision on plans to create theUK’s first dedicated national ceramic auctionhouse at Burslem could be made inSeptember.

Developers St Modwen Properties andBurslem Regeneration Company have beenin talks with the City Council over theexciting showpiece scheme to beincorporated in the town’s Victorian indoormarket building.

St Modwen and BRC are now putting

together a detailed business plan which it isenvisaged will involve one of Britain’sleading auction houses.

David Mather, the council’s AssistantDirector for Economy, Environment andHeritage, said: “We will be assessing thefeasibility of an auction house scheme andby the beginning of September we should bein a position to make a decision.”

Meanwhile, lawyers representing the threeparties are drawing up a legal agreement.

Decision soon on auction house plan

Chance to shapenew stylish piazza

T H E A N G E L 3

A£200,000 bronze statue of Arnold Bennettcould soon be standing in the centre of theMother Town, which appears as Bursley in

many of the author’s famous works.Historian Ray Johnson is leading a bid to bring

Bennett to Market Place next year – which fittinglywill be the centenary of the publication of The OldWives’ Tale, the novel that propelled the Hanley-born author to international acclaim.

It is hoped that the Bennett statue will takepride of place in the shadow of Burslem Town Hallat the spot currently occupied by Sir HenryDoulton. His statue could, in turn, be relocated tothe Nile Street site of Sir Henry’s former Doultonceramic factory, which is being re-developed (seepage six).

St Modwen Properties, who are transforming the11-acre factory site into a mix of business units,offices, workshops and around 175 new homes,say that using the figure of the Doulton founder asa piece of public art work for the regenerated NileStreet area is a real possibility.

A scale model of the Bennett statue shows thegreat man of letters sitting studiously with a textwith two of his famous character creations DenryMachin, from The Card, and Anna of the FiveTowns looking over his shoulder.

Various projects will be set up with communityand school groups in the Burslem area – centring

on regeneration – and they will all be linked withthe funding bid for the statue.

It is intended that the faces of the two childrenin the statue group will be sculpted from life. Aschools competition, again centred onregeneration in Burslem, will be launched to findthe winning boy and girl who will have their facessculpted for the statue. The maquette, or workingmould, is the work of North Staffordshire sculptorsMichael Talbot and Carl Payne.

Now Ray Johnson is applying to the HeritageLottery Fund, on behalf of the Arnold BennettSociety of which he is a vice president, for most ofthe £200,000 needed to create the Bennettmemorial.

The “interactive” sculpture would be atpavement level to allow people to move amongthe figures and become a living part of the bronzetableau. It would even be possible to bephotographed sitting on the great man’s knee!

Ray said: “The Arnold Bennett statue belongs inBurslem because it was the setting for most of hisFive Towns’ stories and those books are very muchpart of the Mother Town’s past.

“The memorial would also symbolise the futureand regeneration of the town and could be usedas an educational project to encourage youngpeople to explore the works of Arnold Bennett andlearn more about the history of the area.”

BUSINESSES in Burslemwith historic premises arebeing urged not to missout on a share of a £3.5mcash pot set up to improvethe look of the MotherTown.

Final arrangements arebeing made to hand outgrants of up to 90 per centof a project’s value underthe Burslem TownscapeHeritage Initiative (THI).

New life could bebreathed into some of thetown’s most importantbuildings under theproject, while somepremises might just need afacelift.

Already there have beenproposals to createrestaurants and flats inbuildings which are moreor less derelict.

Stoke-on-Trent CityCouncil ConservationProject Manager PeterQuincey said: “We’reasking businesses whowould like to take part inthe THI to drop us a line toregister their interest.

“We do expect theinitiative to beoversubscribed but wewant to help improve asmany historic buildings aspossible in the MotherTown.”

Elected Mayor MarkMeredith said: “Thisfunding is great news forBurslem and the economyof the city. I am excited bythe vision shown indrawing up innovativeprojects which will make abig impact on Burslem, inthe coming months.”

Businesses andorganisations who want totake part in the THI shouldwritte to Peter Quincey,Conservation ProjectManager, Regenerationand Heritage Department,Stoke-on-Trent CityCouncil, Civic Centre, GlebeStreet, Stoke-on-Trent,ST4 1RN.

Bid to create statueas tribute togreat author

Cash fundset up toimprovebuildings

The maquette of the statuedepicting Arnold Bennett,seated, with two of hisfamous literary charactersand two “local” children.

4 T H E A N G E L

HUNDREDS of people raided attics anddusted down prize heirlooms when oneof Britain’s best-loved TV shows Antiques

Roadshow came to town to celebrate its 30thanniversary.

More than 1,600 hopefuls flocked to BurleighPottery, Middleport, clutching items as diverseas oil paintings, pop memorabilia, footballmedals and, of course, bagfuls of ceramictreasures to have them valued by TV experts.

Among some of the most fascinatingdiscoveries was a ukulele played by GeorgeFormby in the film When I’m Cleaning Windows,valued at £7,000 and a ring owned by rockguitarist Jimi Hendrix valued at £500.

The day also doubled as the unveiling ofrefurbishment works centred on the MiddleportPottery and Anderton buildings built in 1888and 1890 respectively.

The facelift project, which will form part of anattractive gateway into the Mother Town, isfunded through North StaffordshireRegeneration Zone by the regionaldevelopment agency Advantage West Midlands

as part of Middleport Townscape HeritageInitiative. Show producer Simon Shaw said: “Itwas a very successful day filmed against a veryhistoric backdrop. We had some interestingitems and very enthusiastic people turned upwith them.”

Millions are expected to tune in whenthe flagship Sunday evening programmehosted by Michael Aspel is aired on theBBC in the autumn as part of its 30thanniversary series.

Michael Aspel – pictured on themagazine cover at Middleport Pottery –also enjoyed the warm welcome andcolourful backdrop. He said: “Theatmosphere and the warmth of the peopleis so uplifting. I have to say, this is one ofthe most extraordinary places I have beento in a long, long time.”

A HERITAGE tour is beingunveiled this summer tellingthe story behind Burslem’swealth of famous people andlandmarks.

The Mother Town’s richhistory – linked with famouspotters, religion, novelists andmodern-day pop stars –attracts hundreds of tourists tothe area every year.

Now, nine information panelsare being erected at key sites –accompanied by a tourist leaflet– which will showcase the mostimportant locations in the town.

Historian Fred Hughes whohelped research the projectsaid: “This is a comprehensivehistory of development whichwill take its visitors back intime and show them an overallpicture of the town’s highlights.

“All the information has beenevaluated with sourcedhistorical material in order toprovide a factual and detailedguide.”

The panels will be placed inthe Market Place, Burslem Park,Swan Bank Church, BurslemSchool of Art, St John’s Square,Burgess and Leigh Pottery,Moorcroft Pottery, St John’sChurch and Westport Road.

Mr Hughes continued: “Theywill be fully illustrated with amap of 1750 as well as an up-to-date guide and details abouteverything from Wedgwood toPort Vale, Methodism, ArnoldBennett, the canals, pottery andRobbie Williams.

“Each one will act as a standalone piece of information ortogether to provide a one-hourtour which people can followguided by the panels andleaflet. It will be attractive andinformative to both tourists andresidents.”

The project is the result of ajoint collaboration between PortVale, Moorcroft and MoorlandPotteries, Burgess and Leigh,Stoke-On-Trent City Council,Swan Bank Mission andBurslem School of Art.

Show presenter Michael Aspel at MiddleportPottery enjoys cuppa from best china.

Apt place for topshow to celebrate

Heritage trailshowcasestown’s richhistory andmuch more

Crowds arriving with their antiques.

Antiques Roadshow expert Henry Sandon, left, studies old pottery pattern books from SteeliteInternational with the company’s Technical Manager David Clarke.

T H E A N G E L 5

OWNERS of 113 homes inBurslem have been offeredwindow and door locks ornew doors at the rear of theirproperties.

The improvements are partof a £908,000 communitysafety programme in Burslemand City Centre South to helpreduce levels of crime inregeneration areas and helpresidents feel safer in theirhomes and neighbourhoods.

The security upgrade isbeing funded by RENEWNorth Staffordshire anddelivered in partnership withStaffordshire Police,Stoke-on-Trent City Counciland Beth Johnson HousingAssociation.

RENEW North Staffordshireis meeting the cost ofimprovements for streets –such as the provision ofalleygates to prevent easycriminal access – andresidents will not have to payanything towards the cost ofworks to their homes.

Areas of Burslem in line forthese improvements over thecoming year include PriceStreet, Nicholas Street,Mountford Street, JenkinsStreet, Hamil Road andBaddeley Street.

Hardial Bhogal, Director ofRENEW North Staffordshire,said: “Neighbourhoods wherethere is low demand or whereclearance is taking place areoften affected by higher thanaverage crime levels. Weknow also that the fear ofcrime is a factor in wherepeople choose to live.Community safety is animportant part of rebuildingconfidence in theseneighbourhoods.”

The project also helpsRENEW North Staffordshireand Stoke-on-Trent CityCouncil to deliver theGovernment’s Respectagenda – which is aimed atcurbing anti-social behaviourand crime.

● For more informationcontact Lynsey Woodvine,Neighbourhood RenewalTeam on 01782 233623.

Major facelift for

key gatewayENVIRONMENTAL

Improvements to one ofthe most important routes

into Burslem have beencompleted. North StaffordshireRegeneration Zone funded thefacelift for buildings andborders along Moorland Road.

The work was completed byGroundwork Stoke-on-Trent,whose intermediate labourteams used the scheme to helpunemployed people learn skillsto give them a route into work.

Gateway improvements downthe bank towards the towncentre include:

● Landscaping and stainlesssteel railings at the AlbanyWorks which is nowGroundwork’s office. Thisincluded planting semi-maturetrees and the provision ofattractive new signage.

● Existing planting wascleared around BurslemEnterprise Centre and replacedwith more sympathetic plantingallowing sight of the historicformer school buildings fromthe main road. New sandstonecoping has been added tosmarten up brickwork.

● Further landscaping hasbeen completed at ABCbuilders yard, using new Yorkstone sets and shrub planting

to spruce up the premises.● Victorian character of

terraced offices and shopsdown towards the town centrehas been emphasised by newrailings.

● The corner of JacksonStreet has been completelyrelandscaped, replacing the oldturfed area with attractiveshrubbery.

Groundwork Stoke-on-TrentSenior Project Officer GarethMorgan said: “We are delightedwith the outcome of the projectwhich has balanced animportant corridor intoBurslem.

“On one side of the road isthe much loved park. Now wehave improved the environmentaround the buildings on the

opposite side of MoorlandRoad, some of which hadbecome a bit unloved.”

Andrew James, ProjectManager North StaffordshireRegeneration Zone, said “Thisproject has really improved thisimportant gateway to Burslemand in doing so has given theopportunity for some of ouryoung unemployed people tolearn new skills which will helpin their progression to work”

Improvedsecurity forhomes

Looking at landscaping plans for the ongoing improvementworks to Groundwork’s offices in Moorland Road are, left toright, Groundwork Principal Landscape Architect SteveRalphs, Groundwork Senior Project Officer Gareth Morganand Strategic Manager for the North StaffordshireRegeneration Zone Jon Baldwin.

The former court housebuilding at Moorland Roadhas had its splendid facaderestored and the building nowprovides four enterprise units.

Striking new heritage andtourism signposts welcomevisitors to the Mother Town.

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

A NEW community newspaper will be dropping ondoormats across Burslem and Middleport followingsupport from BizFizz.

Claire White, 26, pictured right, moved back tothe area after successfully editing a nationalmagazine in London.

She now plans to update locals of goings onaround the town in a free weekly paper for Burslem

and Tunstall that is being launched this summer.She said: “The BizFizz panel were able to give

me a whole range of suggestions for the paperfrom my target audience.

“As a result I have included lots of differentthings that I hadn’t thought of. They have alsohelped with advertising and given me coachingsupport.”

AN APPRENTICE brickie who learns his craftat Stoke-on-Trent College’s Burslem Campushas cemented his place in the WorldBricklaying Championships.

Jonathan Bourne, 20, pictured above, willtravel to Numazu City in Japan thisNovember to compete in Worldskills – aninternational competition for 40 differentvocational trades.

He earned his place by winning a silvermedal in the national final in Glasgow andbeating the other medal winners fromprevious years at a three-day event in NorthWarwickshire.

His inclusion is confirmation that on-the-job training in the Mother Town can rival thebest in the world.

Ken Burgess, Head of Faculty forEngineering & Construction at Stoke on Trent College, Burslem Campussaid. “The college is extremely proud ofJonathan and our staff who have helped andsupported him. Jonathan is an extremelynice guy and is an excellent ambassador forhis employer, the college and the country.”

Worldskills is held every two years infront of at least 200,000 spectators. It is afour day event in which 48 membercountries take part.

Jonathan, who works at AmosDevelopments in Leek, will be tested inhis ability to perform tasks like decorativebricklaying and special patterns against

the clock.He said: “I started a little over four years

ago helping my dad and just kept onimproving. I really enjoy learning andpractically doing it. It’s really exciting to bechosen for the finals and fingers crossed Ihave a good chance of winning.”

JOB creation and family homes are at the centre of anew masterplan for the former Royal Doulton factorysite at Burslem.

Developers St Modwen Properties have been indetailed talks with City Council planners overproposals for the 11 acres of land at a prime locationin the town and a blueprint for its future use is set tobe unveiled within the next few weeks.

St Modwen Regional Director Mike Herbertrevealed that the scheme would include the creationof a “business courtyard” by converting historicbuildings at the gated main entrance to the oldfactory in Nile Street.

He said: “There will be enterprise units, offices andworkshops aimed at start-up businesses and largerpremises for expanding small businesses which willcontribute to job creation and the regeneration of theMother Town.

“The residential element of our plan addresses theneed for more family orientated housing in theBurslem area and the proposals include traditionalhomes as well as fashionable mews. Bringingfamilies back into to the town is a key factor inregeneration.”

Part of the discussion between St Modwen and thecouncil has been about the creation of a pedestrianand cycle link between the residential developmentand the nearby Greenway, the former Looplinerailway which is now a 13-mile tree-line walkwaylinking the Six Towns.

Kevin Benfield, the council’s development controlteam leader for the north of Stoke-on-Trent, said:“This link would effectively provide a landscapedwalk between the town centre and Greenway – andthen on to Burslem Park. We are looking at innovativeways to create an attractive trail for pedestrians withreminders of the site’s heritage.

“It is an exciting opportunity for part of the historiccore of the town centre to be rediscovered with a newdynamic use and complemented by the provision of acontemporary residential development.”

The views of the public are to be sought on themasterplan and taken on board before a

detailed planning application is madeto the council – which should

happen within the nextthree months.

Job creation atcentre of newmasterplan

Apprentice brickiecements his placein world event

Alternative support service that

puts fizz in the biz

Joineryduo

launchedNAMED after the famous Burslemlandmark, Angel Joinery and BuildingServices, are another firm which havebeen formally established in the townthanks to help from BizFizz.

Tom Powell and Andy Lowe kicked offthe business on June 1 as two qualifiedtrades people who will be working on

projects in and around the MotherTown. Tom – pictured above left withAndy – said: “BizFizz providedinformation and help with solicitors toset us up as an official partnership.They also helped with training andadvertising which have been invaluablein getting us off the ground.”

SCORES of new businessesare emerging in the Burslemarea – thanks to the first

scheme of its kind forentrepreneurs in the WestMidlands.

BizFizz is an alternative totraditional business support inregeneration areas. The schemehelps people create new businessesand grow their existing ones.

In and around the Mother Town inthe next few months it is launchingprojects ranging from a recordingstudio to a community newspaper.

Carolyn Powell from BizFizz said:“In Burslem and Middleport theproject has received a huge amountof support and there have been anextraordinary amount of peopleaccessing the service. In six monthsthere are already around 10 newstart businesses which are allcommencing very soon.”

The scheme, which was devisedby the Civic Trust and the NewEconomic Foundation helps peoplewho want to explore the viability ofbusiness ideas and existingbusiness who want to grow,develop or change.

Ms Powell continued: “BizFizz isbusiness coaching, helping peopleto remove the barriers to theirsuccess. It helps provide networksfor the new starts and carries apanel of people from all walks oflife who regularly meet tobrainstorm the specific questionsthat their coach poses on behalfof the client.

“The service is free andconfidential and the coachcan work with completeflexibility to fit in withthe client.”

gets in geargets in gearMechanic

Claire edits community newspaper

JAMIE Osadnick, pictured above, has beenhelped to get his mobile mechanic businessfiring on all cylinders by BizFizz.

Since getting in touch Jamie, from Cobridge,has been helped to put together a business planso he can apply for a grant from the Prince’sTrust for extra tools. He said: “I have been doingodd-jobs for people for years but now I havebeen helped to make it official and been givenhelp with lots of things including the advertisingof the new company.”

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

A NEW community newspaper will be dropping ondoormats across Burslem and Middleport followingsupport from BizFizz.

Claire White, 26, pictured right, moved back tothe area after successfully editing a nationalmagazine in London.

She now plans to update locals of goings onaround the town in a free weekly paper for Burslem

and Tunstall that is being launched this summer.She said: “The BizFizz panel were able to give

me a whole range of suggestions for the paperfrom my target audience.

“As a result I have included lots of differentthings that I hadn’t thought of. They have alsohelped with advertising and given me coachingsupport.”

AN APPRENTICE brickie who learns his craftat Stoke-on-Trent College’s Burslem Campushas cemented his place in the WorldBricklaying Championships.

Jonathan Bourne, 20, pictured above, willtravel to Numazu City in Japan thisNovember to compete in Worldskills – aninternational competition for 40 differentvocational trades.

He earned his place by winning a silvermedal in the national final in Glasgow andbeating the other medal winners fromprevious years at a three-day event in NorthWarwickshire.

His inclusion is confirmation that on-the-job training in the Mother Town can rival thebest in the world.

Ken Burgess, Head of Faculty forEngineering & Construction at Stoke on Trent College, Burslem Campussaid. “The college is extremely proud ofJonathan and our staff who have helped andsupported him. Jonathan is an extremelynice guy and is an excellent ambassador forhis employer, the college and the country.”

Worldskills is held every two years infront of at least 200,000 spectators. It is afour day event in which 48 membercountries take part.

Jonathan, who works at AmosDevelopments in Leek, will be tested inhis ability to perform tasks like decorativebricklaying and special patterns against

the clock.He said: “I started a little over four years

ago helping my dad and just kept onimproving. I really enjoy learning andpractically doing it. It’s really exciting to bechosen for the finals and fingers crossed Ihave a good chance of winning.”

JOB creation and family homes are at the centre of anew masterplan for the former Royal Doulton factorysite at Burslem.

Developers St Modwen Properties have been indetailed talks with City Council planners overproposals for the 11 acres of land at a prime locationin the town and a blueprint for its future use is set tobe unveiled within the next few weeks.

St Modwen Regional Director Mike Herbertrevealed that the scheme would include the creationof a “business courtyard” by converting historicbuildings at the gated main entrance to the oldfactory in Nile Street.

He said: “There will be enterprise units, offices andworkshops aimed at start-up businesses and largerpremises for expanding small businesses which willcontribute to job creation and the regeneration of theMother Town.

“The residential element of our plan addresses theneed for more family orientated housing in theBurslem area and the proposals include traditionalhomes as well as fashionable mews. Bringingfamilies back into to the town is a key factor inregeneration.”

Part of the discussion between St Modwen and thecouncil has been about the creation of a pedestrianand cycle link between the residential developmentand the nearby Greenway, the former Looplinerailway which is now a 13-mile tree-line walkwaylinking the Six Towns.

Kevin Benfield, the council’s development controlteam leader for the north of Stoke-on-Trent, said:“This link would effectively provide a landscapedwalk between the town centre and Greenway – andthen on to Burslem Park. We are looking at innovativeways to create an attractive trail for pedestrians withreminders of the site’s heritage.

“It is an exciting opportunity for part of the historiccore of the town centre to be rediscovered with a newdynamic use and complemented by the provision of acontemporary residential development.”

The views of the public are to be sought on themasterplan and taken on board before a

detailed planning application is madeto the council – which should

happen within the nextthree months.

Job creation atcentre of newmasterplan

Apprentice brickiecements his placein world event

Alternative support service that

puts fizz in the biz

Joineryduo

launchedNAMED after the famous Burslemlandmark, Angel Joinery and BuildingServices, are another firm which havebeen formally established in the townthanks to help from BizFizz.

Tom Powell and Andy Lowe kicked offthe business on June 1 as two qualifiedtrades people who will be working on

projects in and around the MotherTown. Tom – pictured above left withAndy – said: “BizFizz providedinformation and help with solicitors toset us up as an official partnership.They also helped with training andadvertising which have been invaluablein getting us off the ground.”

SCORES of new businessesare emerging in the Burslemarea – thanks to the first

scheme of its kind forentrepreneurs in the WestMidlands.

BizFizz is an alternative totraditional business support inregeneration areas. The schemehelps people create new businessesand grow their existing ones.

In and around the Mother Town inthe next few months it is launchingprojects ranging from a recordingstudio to a community newspaper.

Carolyn Powell from BizFizz said:“In Burslem and Middleport theproject has received a huge amountof support and there have been anextraordinary amount of peopleaccessing the service. In six monthsthere are already around 10 newstart businesses which are allcommencing very soon.”

The scheme, which was devisedby the Civic Trust and the NewEconomic Foundation helps peoplewho want to explore the viability ofbusiness ideas and existingbusiness who want to grow,develop or change.

Ms Powell continued: “BizFizz isbusiness coaching, helping peopleto remove the barriers to theirsuccess. It helps provide networksfor the new starts and carries apanel of people from all walks oflife who regularly meet tobrainstorm the specific questionsthat their coach poses on behalfof the client.

“The service is free andconfidential and the coachcan work with completeflexibility to fit in withthe client.”

gets in geargets in gearMechanic

Claire edits community newspaper

JAMIE Osadnick, pictured above, has beenhelped to get his mobile mechanic businessfiring on all cylinders by BizFizz.

Since getting in touch Jamie, from Cobridge,has been helped to put together a business planso he can apply for a grant from the Prince’sTrust for extra tools. He said: “I have been doingodd-jobs for people for years but now I havebeen helped to make it official and been givenhelp with lots of things including the advertisingof the new company.”

8 T H E A N G E L

T H E A N G E L 9

BUSINESSES in Burslemlooking to take on newemployees can benefit

from a free recruitment serviceoffered by Jobcentre Plus. Staffat the town’s Jobcentre inFurlong Road provide a servicedesigned to make therecruitment process smooth andefficient.

Whether it’s one vacancy ormany which need to be filled,Jobcentre Plus can offer all thehelp needed to find the rightperson for the job.

Tony Cardall, CustomerServices manager at BurslemJobcentre, and his dedicatedteam work closely with localbusinesses to understand theirspecific recruitment needs –and over the past year theyhave helped to fill more than1,500 vacancies.

Tony said: “We have thetechnology to circulatevacancies as soon as we receivethe details. It is then availablenationally on our 8,600 touchscreen systems and ourJobcentre Plus website thatreceives more than one millionvisits a week.

“A vacancy will also beaccessible through ‘JobseekerDirect’ – our telephone servicethat handles over 12,000 callsfrom job seekers every week.

“We will provide a namedcontact to work in partnershipwith employers to help you filltheir vacancies, providing local

information about availablepeople and other details of thelocal labour market.

“We can also offer specialisthelp and advice on training,rates of pay, equalopportunities and employingpeople with disabilities or fromoverseas.”

Employers can now create,view and update their vacanciesthemselves through EmployerDirect online, giving them

control of their vacanciesinformation at anytime.

To find out more go towww.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

Jobcentres offer a range ofservices to help businessesovercome many of the obstaclesassociated with recruiting staff.These include:

● Work Trials – anopportunity for potentialemployees to demonstrate theirabilities and give the employer

time to access their suitability.The applicants can work for upto 15 days and still receive theirbenefits;

● New Deal – employers maybenefit from financial grants ifthey recruit people who aretaking part in New Deal 25+ andNew Deal For Young People;and

● Special help withemploying and keeping peoplewith disabilities.

INSURANCE firm Autonet – which hasbeen racing ahead of its competitors sincerelocating to Burslem two years ago – isset to create another 60 jobs in the town.

And the company – which is located inthe former offices of First Potteries buscompany at Hobson Street – is alsoconsidering buying new premises toaccommodate its rapid expansion.

More than 150 people are already

employed at Autonet – making it one ofthe biggest companies of its kind in thePotteries, specialising in vehicle andproperty insurance.

Managing Director Glynn Keeling said:“When the opportunity came-up to moveto Burslem we knew it was the rightchoice. We were looking for freeholdpremises located outside prime targets inthe city and the town was right at the top

of the list. The added incentive was allthe regeneration and investment that wasand still is going on in the town.

“It has proven to be a very positivemove for us and our company isdeveloping just as fast as Burslem is. Wefind the location is attracting staff to workfor us and boosting business. We nowhave to think about looking for anotheroffice – which could very well be here.”

Free service is tailor-made to meet

specific needs

Members of the specialist recruitment team at Burslem’s Jobcentre Plus, left to right, Labour Marketand Recruitment Advisor Alwena Parry, Corrine Shammas and Nicky Jones, both of Customer Service.

Expert team help recruit the right person for the job

Autonet set to create further 60 jobs in town

10 T H E A N G E L

DETAILED designs of the£5.4 million project tomake Burslem’s

Wedgwood Institute ashowpiece for the town’sregeneration have beensubmitted to the city council.

A formal planning applicationincludes details of a modernatrium and proposals to restorea large lecture theatre in theGrade II listed building.

The project will restore thehistoric building’s features –

acclaimed as some of thecountry’s finest architecturaldetails – including statues andmosaics painting a vivid pictureof Stoke-on-Trent’s ceramicsindustry.

Disabled access will beimproved throughout theInstitute.

Burslem’s position as a keycentre for enterprise and newbusiness will be strengthenedwith the creation of 23 roomsfor new employers, with

associated meeting spaces.City Council Principal

Regeneration Officer RobGatensbury said: “We havereached an exciting stage inthe project to restore andrefurbish the WedgwoodInstitute to its former glory.

“When completed, theproject will provide alandmark achievement in theregeneration of Burslem andwill complement otherschemes which have broughtnew businesses to 7-11Queen Street and 22-30Queen Street.”

The Wedgwood InstituteProject has been madepossible by funding fromAdvantage West Midlands,North StaffordshireRegeneration Zone theEuropean Union and the CityCouncil.

THE biggest and best so far… that’s theverdict from the organisers of this year’sBurslem Arts and Crafts Festival whichtook place in June.

The 4th such feast of fun and creativetalent to be staged by the Mother Townhas grown into one of the premier eventson the festival map of North Staffordshire.A packed programme catering for all agesincluded more than 30 stalls displayinglocally produced arts and crafts.

Visitors were able to browse and buyfrom local potters, artists and

photographers, while there was plenty forthe children. Attractions includedhave-a-go pottery and craft workshops,circus skills workshop, stilt walkers, livemusic throughout the day on a stageoutside the School of Art, a ceramicdesign competition hosted by MoorlandPottery and Ceramica, live streetentertainment, street art competition, freeentry to Ceramica on the day, facepainting and much more.

And The Leopard and Bulls Head pubswere serving fine beers specially brewed

for the festival. One of the new featureswas an animation festival in Queen Streetwhere School of Art students screenedtheir short films, and photographer KarenSayle held an animation workshop.

Amanda Bromley, Managing Director ofBurslem-based company Jellifish, whohelp to organise the festival, said: “Thiswas the biggest and best Burslem Artsand Crafts Festival so far. The packedprogramme on offer this year showed howthe event has grown since the first onewas held.”

Festival is biggest and best so far

GOVERNMENT ministers came to Burslem to see at firsthand how millions of pounds worth of regeneration cash istransforming the Mother Town.

Work and Pensions Minister John Hutton congratulatedunemployed young people taking positive steps on the roadto work and training. He was guest of honour withStoke-on-Trent North MP Joan Walley as members of theGroundwork Stoke-on-Trent Intermediate Labour MarketTeam took part in a “passing out parade” at the School ofArt in Queen Street.

Meanwhile, Minster for Justice Harriet Harman took astroll round town to see how new business units, heritageinitiatives and even an historic tourism trail are breathingnew life into Burslem.

A computer generated architect’sdrawing of an imposing centralatrium to be created as part ofthe restoration of the Wedgwood Institute building.

Designs tocreate urbanshowpiece

Ministers visit to seeregeneration projects

Minister for Justice Harriet Harman, left, being taken on atour of Burslem by Stoke-on-Trent North MP Joan Walley.

T H E A N G E L 11

WHEN Corporal HarryLayton marched homefrom the second world

war his parents collapsed withshock.

For the young soldier hadbeen listed as missing,presumed killed in Burma afterhis platoon was ambushed inthe jungle by Japanese soldiers.

Back home in the AncientBriton pub at Stanfield whichthey ran, Harry’s grievingparents Levi and Emmycollected donations for a brassplaque in memory of their sonand others from Stanfield whohad lost their lives in theconflict.

The memorial was given itsown pride of place in the pub.However, two years after thewar had finished Harry “came

back from the dead”unaware that everyonethought he had beenkilled. At first hisparents fainted from theshock of seeing the sonthey thought they hadlost – then they threw amassive party tocelebrate his safe return.

Harry had anincredible war story to tell. Onpatrol with his StaffordshireRegiment platoon in Burma,Harry and his comrades climbedup trees to sleep in order toavoid the enemy as well asdeadly snakes on the ground.

However a baboon hurled a

passion fruit which hit one of the

sleeping men. He retaliated by

throwing the fruit back, which

startled the colony of baboons.

Their chatter alerted Japanese

troops to the presence of the

British.

The enemy sprayed thetrees with gunfire, killing allthe British soldiers exceptfor Harry who was takenprisoner.

He spent the rest of thewar in Japanese POWcamps until he wasliberated by theAustralians in 1945.

By now Harry was inpoor health and his skinhad yellowed due to theeffect of anti-malariatablets he had to take.

After Japan’s surrenderin 1945, Harry stayed inthe Far East to helpAustralian allies dealwith the masses ofJapanese prisoners of

war – and to learn how to eatand drink normally again after

years of a near-starvation diet.Eventually in 1947 he was

well enough to make the longjourney home to the family hehad not seen for six years.

Harry recalled: “I knocked onthe door of the pub, and mydad opened it. He didn’trecognise me because my skinwas still yellow and I had lost alot of weight.

“He managed to tell my mother it

was me and collapsed. My mother

came to the door to see me, then

she fainted. It was quite a

homecoming!”

The plaque stood in theAncient Briton for 60 yearsbefore the pub, which had beenunoccupied, was destroyed inan arson attack last year.

It was feared this incrediblepiece of Burslem history may belost for ever until the demolitioncontractor clearing the siterecovered the memorial andhanded it to local councillorDave Conway.

Now the plaque has a new

home at the Haywood CityLearning Centre – a communityfacility within Haywood HighSchool – just half a mile fromwhere it used to be displayed inthe Ancient Briton.

The re-siting of the plaquewas marked by a specialceremony. Among the guestswere former Lord Mayor, CllrJean Edwards (who representsBurslem and was a nearneighbour of Harry’s parents),Joan Walley MP and studentsfrom Haywood High.

However the guest of honourwas Harry, now aged 84, wholives in Longton. He said: “It’snice to know the plaque is nowin a safe place. It was a lovelyceremony, and the schoolchildren had polished theplaque specially for me.”

Cllr Edwards recalled:“Stanfield was a very closecommunity, and when Harrycame home news soon spreadthat he was safe. It seemedunbelievable.”

Burma Veteran Harry Layton with the plaque that was erected inhis mother and father’s public house in memory of those from theStanfield Estate who gave their lives in Second World War – whenthey thought Harry was among those who died in action. Lookingon are former Lord Mayor and Burslem councillor Jean Edwardswho was a neighbour of Harry’s parents and two of the pupils atHaywood High School who helped to restore the plaque, JamesSykes and Jessica Boswell, both aged 12.

A truly remarkable story that started and ended in Burslem

The day Harrycame backfrom thedead...

Harry Layton as an 18-year-oldsoldier about to fight in Burma.

RELATIVES of miners killedin the Sneyd Collierydisaster of 1942 have

viewed the plaques which willbe a central feature of the towncentre memorial in their honour.

It was a poignant occasion for81-year-old Mrs Agnes Burgesswhose father James and brotherRobert both lost their lives in theNew Year’s Day tragedy when amassive explosion rippedthrough the mine 800 yardsbelow ground at Burslem. “Itis very touching to see theirnames on this lovelymemorial,” said Agnes.

“This means a great dealto me and the otherrelatives of miners who losttheir lives. They are finallygetting the recognition for thesacrifice they made for theircountry during the war.”

She was accompanied at theviewing by 77-year-old Mrs BerylRoyle whose father AlbertHansell led the the rescue teamswho worked for eight days indangerous conditions to recoverall the bodies.

A special tribute plaque to thethese men reads: “This memorialalso commemorates the heroicrescue teams who workedtirelessly and with great braveryin perilous conditions after theexplosion. They risked their ownlives to recover the bodies of all57 miners who died in the

disaster, giving comfort to thebereaved.”

Beryl said: “I am so pleasedthat there will finally be a lastingtribute to these brave men. It islong overdue.”

Burslem-based NettlebankMemorial have produced themarble plaques free of charge tosupport the campaign for the pitmemorial which, as The Angel

went to press, was being built inWedgwood Place, near thelandmark old Town Hall.

Keith Meeson, Chairman of theApedale Mining Heritage Centre,raised £2,500 towards the costof the memorial with asponsored walk. He dressed as aVictorian miner on a trek taking

in all Stoke-on-Trent’s town hallsand culminated in a walk aroundthe pitch at Vale Park duringhalf-time at the Valiants’ derbyclash against Crewe Alexandra.Keith said: “This pit memorial isa real community effort.Companies have given materialsand work free of charge andpeople have thrown their changein our collection buckets.

“It shows that local peoplewant to make sure thesebrave miners are notforgotten.”

A lasting tribute

Relatives ofminers killedin Sneyd pitdisaster viewmemorialplaques

Mrs Beryl Roylewith the plaquewhich pays tribute to the rescueteams which were led by her father.

Mrs Agnes Burgess

points to her brother’s name on

the Sneyd pitdisaster

memorial.

WORK is well underway to create a 9ftmosaic which will form the centrepiece of anattractive seating area in Burslem Park.

Local people helped design the imageswhich paint a vivid picture of the park’simportance at the heart of the localcommunity. As well as showing images ofwildlife, and the park’s historic buildings,the mosaic represents historic photographshanded in by the public.

Smaller mosaics of suggestions from local

school children will be scattered aroundthe main artwork, which will be in placeby the end of the summer. The mosaic – adrawing of which is pictured right – isbeing produced by artist Rob Turner.

Groundwork Stoke-on-Trent ProjectOfficer Samantha Cheadle said: “Wepresented different designs for the mosaicto the public out and about in Burslemmarket and in the park and their favouritedesign is being made ready for installation. “

Work begins on ‘people’s’ mosaic

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