Heritage Open Days looks into Stoke-on-Trent’s heritage for 2024 Festival
The 2024 schedule for Heritage Open Days in Stoke-on-Trent has been unveiled – with more than 40 free events across the city which will give people a rare chance to see locations and collections that are not usually open to the public – or would otherwise charge for admission.
The festival runs from Friday 6 September to Sunday 15 September – where residents and visitors can discover the city’s architecture plus a take part in a wide range of events and activities – bringing local history and culture to life.
Visitors will be able to gain behind the scenes access to world-class museum collections at V&A Wedgwood and Spode, take a guided tour of the preserved Chatterley Whitfield Colliery and learn about over 1,300 years of history at Trentham.
(Image Pete Stonier.)
The national theme for 2024 is – ‘Routes-Networks-Connections’ – and will providing highlight transport routes of the industrial revolution, the networks that have brought
our Stoke-on-Trent City together and connections with the rest of the world.
The city’s museums, attractions and heritage groups will be tracing local waterways and greenspaces to unpack unseen archives and connecting to new audiences as well as having a focus on unique industrial heritage with events to feature the iconic bottle ovens.
The national theme has been taken up by Heritage Network members, many of whom have chosen to recognise the crucial role of the pottery industry in establishing the Trent & Mersey Canal as the foundation of the English canal network.
Danny Callaghan, chair of the Heritage Network for Stoke-on-Trent, said: “I’m delighted that, once again, our brilliant Network members have put together an interesting and exciting Heritage Open Days programme spanning all 10 days of the festival and the whole of the city. This collaborative approach has been praised by the national organisers at the National Trust and used as an example of good practice for other participating areas. I would encourage residents to embrace the opportunities to visit some of our iconic buildings and see how historic routes and networks show local people worked together to build connections to the world.”
Andy Perkin, secretary of the Network, added: “I’m pleased that we have a wide range of events for people to enjoy and explore – including beautiful places of worship, historic potteries and our stunning museums. We are supported by an amazing group of dedicated and extremely knowledgeable people who love sharing their expertise, inspiring others and celebrating our unique city. We can’t wait to welcome visitors to our events and historic sites.”
As well as walks in Stoke, Fenton and Longton, film shows and several performances will take place. And talks include “Connecting The Potteries to the World” and “Uncovering St Mark’s” in Shelton.
Entrance fees will be waived for open days at Gladstone Pottery Museum, Etruria Industrial Museum, Middleport Pottery and Ford Green Hall. Events will be hosted by Moorcroft and the Dudson Museum, and archive viewings at V&A Wedgwood, Spode Museum and Middleport Pottery.
Industrial heritage will be on display at Chatterley Whitfield, James Kent and Etruria Industrial Museum, which will be hosting the stationary engines and classic vehicle rallies, as well as a talk and film show across the festival.
Church buildings will also be taking part with the welcome return of events at Bethesda Chapel, St Bartholomew’s in Norton, West End Centre, St Mark’s in Hanley and Our Lady &St Peter’s Church on Hartshill Road.
For more information visit www.potteries.org.uk/heritageopendays or www.potteries.org.uk/HODdiary
