Just a few rather special, special events from the past at the museum
Oldest first, page down to see the latest
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1975 - Gladstone Night at Jollees, the night club in Longton 'above the bus station'
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| Gladstone Pottery Museum - Jollees Night |
1975 - Carols in the Yard with the World Premiere Performance of the Clayhanger Theme
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1975 - Bazaar | Fund raising event
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1976 - The First Exhibition | Exhibition and book launch by Kathy Niblett
The 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 book which accompanied the exhibition 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 Images from the Terry Woolliscroft Collection |
1976 - Brass and Clogs with the Royal Doulton Band and Miss Lavington Evans
1977 - Mud and Water Man - Michael Cardew Retrospective Exhibition
A retrospective exhibition of pottery by Michael Cardew was opened in the Gladstone Centre on August 6th 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 | Seminar 23 & 24 April 1977
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| Gladstone Pottery Museum - Kilns of the Potteries Seminar 23 & 24 April 1977 Organised by the London Kiln Study Group |
1978 - The Last Bottle Oven Firing in The Potteries
More here> |
| The Last Bottle Oven Firing in The Potteries - 1978 |
1978/9 - Easter Bonnet Parade!
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1985 - First Paintings Exhibition
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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 their wares
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| Gladstone Pottery Museum - Potters Market 2004 and 2005 photos: Phil Rowley |
2006 - The Raku Firing in the yard
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| 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 - Last Bottle Oven Firing | 30th Anniversary
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| Gladstone Pottery Museum - 30 years since Last Bottle Oven Firing Paul Niblett gives a talk for visitors Photo: Terry Woolliscroft |
2011 - Wileman and Shelley Exhibition
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| Gladstone Pottery Museum - Wileman and Shelley Exhibition 2011 |
2012, 2013 and 2014 - Longton Beer Festivals in the yard
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| Gladstone Pottery Museum - Longton Beer Festivals 2013 and 2014 photos: Phil Rowley |
2013 - International Marquetry Exhibition
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| Gladstone Pottery Museum - 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 - The Doomsday Morris Dancers
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| Gladstone Pottery Museum - Morris Dancers photos: Phil Rowley |
2014 - April Gladstone Gigs
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| Gladstone Pottery Museum Story |
2014 - October's Gladstonebury Beer and Music Festival
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| Gladstone Pottery Museum Story Beer and Music festival 2014 |
2015 - 40th Anniversary of the Royal Opening 25th April 2015
Gladstone Forty-fied Celebrating 40 years with 40 Potters Skills
more here>
2015 - 24 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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| Gladstone Pottery Museum Story - 24 Hours in the past Paul Niblett and Nerys Williams take part in the show as extras |
2015 - Fifth Longton Beer Festival | July 2015
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| Gladstone Pottery Museum Story - Beer Festival 2015 |
2015 - Heritage Open Day | 12 September 2015
Gladstone is 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 at 1400 on Saturday.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.
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| Classic Bus Running Day |
2015 - Twilight Carols in the Cobbled Yard (in filthy, awful weather but the show must go on!)
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| Photos: Nerys Williams |
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| 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 |
2016 - July's Gladstonebury Beer and Music Festival
2018 - Wednesday 01 August
THE LAST BOTTLE OVEN FIRING - FESTIVAL of BOTTLE OVENS
& EXHIBITION OPENED
Opened by Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Councillor Lilian Dodd
EXHIBITION: At Gladstone Pottery Museum - Tuesdays to Saturdays, during 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?