Some of the special events at the museum
Oldest first, page down to the latest1974 Family Carols with the Royal Doulton Band & Choir
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| The Royal Doulton Band and Choir, conductor Ted Gray, playing the Gladstone Carol in Gladstone's yard, Christmas 1974 Photo: Brian & Maureen Colclough Collection |
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| Newly invented Gladstone Hot Dog served on a potter’s ware board by Eric Taylor! Gladstone's yard, Christmas 1974 Photo: Brian & Maureen Colclough Collection |
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| Carol Concert in Gladstone's yard, Christmas 1974 Photo: Brian & Maureen Colclough Collection |
Note: The Royal Doulton band, conducted by Ted Gray, were a Championship Section Band which recorded many albums. They folded around 1991 when the Royal Doulton company dropped its sponsorship. The band became the City of Stoke Brass, supported by the Musicians Union and the City of Stoke Council for a good number of years. The band changed its name to Trentham Brass a few years later when they gained a new sponsorship deal from Trentham Leisure Ltd (St Modwen). Discography here> https://www.discogs.com/artist/1343703-The-Royal-Doulton-Band
1975 Gladstone Night at Jollees
Jollees - the night club in Longton 'above the bus station' in Commerce Street, a stone's throw from the museum. |
| Gladstone Pottery Museum - Jollees Night |
1975 Carols in the Yard
Including the World Premiere Performance of the Clayhanger Theme |
1975 Bazaar and Fund raising event
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1976 The First Exhibition in The Gladstone Centre
Exhibition and book launch by Kathy NiblettThe demolition of the Bluebell Works, Longton and a chance conversation were the combined impetus behind the Exhibition and Catalogue of Portrait Figures by Sampson Smith. Since Sampy had been such a significant manufacturer in Longton it seemed appropriate to remind local people, and collectors alike, about the man and his work. The exhibition was held in the recently-opened Gladstone Centre. The accompanying book was written by Kathy Woolliscroft (now Niblett). After 40 years it remains the only book written about Sampy.
Sampy, Sampson Smith, Manufacturer of all kinds of Figures in Great Variety
Grant Aided by West Midlands Arts
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| Exhibition, Book and Catalogue of Portrait Figures by Sampson Smith - 1976 Photos: Terry Woolliscroft Collection |
1976 Brass Band and Clogs
A concert of brass band music with the Royal Doulton Band conducted by Ted Gray, and with Miss Lavington Evans, the celebrated clog dancer.
1977 Mud and Water Man
The Michael Cardew Retrospective Exhibition - A retrospective exhibition of pottery by Michael Cardew was opened in the Gladstone Centre on August 6th 1977 by Michael Cardew himself. It displayed the work of one of England's greatest potters from 1923 - 1977 and was complimented by detailed and illuminating texts and illustrations. |
| Gladstone Pottery Museum - Michael Cardew exhibition |
1977 Kilns of the Potteries
A seminar on 23 & 24 April 1977 organised by the London Kiln Study Group |
| Kilns of the Potteries Seminar Organised by the London Kiln Study Group Date: 23 & 24 April 1977 |
1978 The Last Bottle Oven Firing in The Potteries
Stoke-on-Trent's most important cultural event of the century More here> |
| The Last Bottle Oven Firing in The Potteries - 1978 |
1978/9 Easter Bonnet Parade!
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1981 Visit of Princess Margaret, 7th May 1981
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| Seen here with Geoff Parry Thomas, at the throwing wheel, and Tom Brennan, Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, looking on. |
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| Princess Margaret meets Dr. Francis Celoria, Museum Director |
1985 Paintings Exhibition
In June 1985 Gladstone Pottery Museum mounted its first exhibition of paintings by local artists in the Gladstone Centre |
2000 Heavy Horses Parade
In September 2000 Gladstone's cart was used in the Heavy Horses Parade which centred on Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. Harry Lindop, a Gladstone volunteer, took some photos of the event and has kindly given us permission to show some of them here. |
| Gladstone's cart used in the Heavy Horses Parade Photo: courtesy Harry Lindop 2020 Date: Sept 2000 |
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| Gladstone's cart was used in the Heavy Horses Parade Photo: courtesy Harry Lindop 2020 Date: Sept 2000 |
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| Gladstone's cart was used in the Heavy Horses Parade Photo: courtesy Harry Lindop 2020 Date: Sept 2000 |
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| Part of the Gladstone display used in the Heavy Horses Parade Photo: courtesy Harry Lindop 2020 Date: Sept 2000 |
2004 Halloween
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| Gladstone Pottery Museum - Halloween 2004 photos: Phil Rowley |
2004 Maypole Dancing in the Cobbled Yard
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| Gladstone Pottery Museum - Maypole Dancing 2004 photos: Phil Rowley |
2004/5 Potters Markets
Craft potters show and sell their wares |
| Gladstone Pottery Museum - Potters Market 2004 and 2005 photos: Phil Rowley |
2006 A Raku Firing in the yard
Many more such events followed this one - they proved to be so popular |
| Gladstone Pottery Museum Raku Firing 2006 photos: Phil Rowley |
2008 Dr. Who Day
18 May 2008 - part of the 'Trial of a Timelord' was filmed in the museum at night. |
| Gladstone's Dr Who Day 18 May 2008 photos: Phil Rowley |
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| Gladstone's Dr Who Day 18 May 2008 Photos: Angela Lee |
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| Gladstone's Dr Who Day 18 May 2008 Photos: Angela Lee |
2008 The Last Bottle Oven Firing
30th Anniversary of the kindling of a Potteries bottle oven for the last time. Lectures and celebrations. |
| Gladstone Pottery Museum - 30 years since Last Bottle Oven Firing Paul Niblett gives a talk for visitors Photo: Terry Woolliscroft Collection |
2011 Exhibition of Wileman and Shelley pottery
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| Gladstone Pottery Museum - Wileman and Shelley Exhibition 2011 |
2012 Longton Beer Festival in the yard
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| Gladstone Pottery Museum - Longton Beer Festival Photos: Phil Rowley |
2013 International Marquetry Exhibition
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| International Marquetry Exhibition 2013 Photos: Phil Rowley |
2013 Gladstone "Fired Up"
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| Gladstone Pottery Museum - Fired Up 2013 photos: Phil Rowley |
2014 Domesday Morris Dancers
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| Domesday Morris Dancers 2014 photos: Phil Rowley |
2014 Gladstone Gigs
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| Gladstone Pottery Museum Story |
2014 Gladstonebury Beer and Music Festival
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| Beer and Music Festival 2014 |
2015 The 40th Anniversary of the Royal Opening
25th April 2015 "Gladstone Forty-fied"Celebrating 40 years with 40 Potters Skills more here>
2015 Twenty Four Hours In The Past
12 May 2015 BBC TV 'Constructed/Acted Reality Programme' filmed at Gladstone Pottery Museumhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05vncvw
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| 24 Hours in the past Paul Niblett and Nerys Williams take part in the show |
2015 The Fifth Longton Beer Festival
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| Beer Festival July 2015 |
2015 Heritage Open Day
12 September 2015 Gladstone - the only complete Victorian pottery factory from the days when coal burning ovens made the world's finest bone china. Traditional skills, original workshops, the cobbled yard and huge bottle ovens transport visitors back in time.
LONGTON HISTORY WALK
There was a Longton History walk with local historian and volunteer Phil Rowley.
2015 Classic Bus, Running Day
27 September 2015 The Potteries Omnibus Preservation Society held a rally and running day at Gladstone. Preserved buses and rides on a classic vehicles using the comprehensive free bus service around the area. The shop and café was open for refreshments.
2015 Twilight Carols in the Cobbled Yard
The carols sing-along in the cobbled yard endured the most filthy winter weather conditions! |
| Photos: Nerys Williams |
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| Our brilliant manager, super-skilled demonstrators and Phil, our wonderful volunteer singing in the rain. Photos: Nerys Williams |
2018 Festival of Bottle Ovens
THE LAST BOTTLE OVEN FIRING - FESTIVAL & EXHIBITION
Opened by the Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Councillor Lilian Dodd - Wednesday 01 August More here> https://lbof1978.blogspot.com/p/bottle-oven-festival.html
During all of August and September 2018. Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the last time a bottle oven was fired in Stoke-on-Trent this little display was curated by those who took part in 1978. It gave an insight into the process of preparing, placing, firing and drawing an oven. It featured examples of the pottery fired, promotional material and even clothes worn by the volunteers who made it happen. What happened? Where did it happen? Who made it happen? How did it happen? What were the results?
2019 Heritage Open Days
10 days of festivities between 13 and 23 September 2019
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| Scan courtesy The Sentinel |
2019 Filming - The Irregulars by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Gladstone provided one of the locations for filming the The Irregulars by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a Netflix 8-part series focusing on a group of Victorian street kids who work for the Sherlock Holmes, the famous detective, and his sidekick Doctor Watson.
2020 Closure due to Coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic
"Following national guidance, Gladstone Pottery Museum closed temporarily on Wednesday 18 March 2020. All planned events were postponed or cancelled. "Our absolute priority is the health and welfare of our visitors, staff and the wider public as the nation deals with the impact of the Coronavirus, Covid-19. While our doors will be temporarily closed, there is a range of digital information that will still be available online. Please see the homepage of the Gladstone Pottery Museum website for more information in the coming days"
2021 The Great Pottery Throw Down
'Throwdown' shows on Channel 4 after filming during late summer 2020
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| Gladstone Pottery Museum Home to the Great Pottery Throwdown UK TV Channel 4 - Series 4 |
2021 Filming 'The Colour Room'
During March/April 2021 Gladstone Pottery Museum provided the perfect backdrop for filming Sky Televison’s The Colour Room. Inspired by the rise-to-fame true story of ceramic artist Clarice Cliff, and her ambition to break the glass ceiling and revolutionise the 20th-century potbank. The film was shown locally, in major national theatres and on Sky Cinema in November 2021.
2021 Filming 'The Great Pottery Throw Down'
For ten weeks during September, October and November 2021 the next in the UK TV Channel 4 series of the Great Pottery Thrown down were filmed at the museum for showing in 2022.
2021 December - 50 years!
December marked the 50th anniversary of the start of renovation of the Gladstone Pottery Museum. A team of volunteers started the their work and three of the original 'engineering vols' carried on right through to 2021.
