Past Events

Some of the special events at the museum

Oldest first, page down to the latest
 

1974 Family Carols with the Royal Doulton Band & Choir



The Royal Doulton Band and Choir, conductor Ted Gray,
playing the Gladstone Carol
in Gladstone's yard, Christmas 1974 
Photo: Brian & Maureen Colclough Collection

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

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




1976 The First Exhibition in The Gladstone Centre

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 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


Gladstone Pottery Museum Story
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 Story
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


Gladstone Pottery Museum Story
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>


Gladstone Pottery Museum Story
The Last Bottle Oven Firing in The Potteries - 1978

1978/9 Easter Bonnet Parade! 




1981 Visit of Princess Margaret, 7th May 1981 


Seen here with Geoff Parry Thomas, at the throwing wheel,
and Tom Brennan, Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, looking on.



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

Gladstone's cart was used in the Heavy Horses Parade
Photo: courtesy Harry Lindop 2020  Date: Sept 2000

Gladstone's cart was used in the Heavy Horses Parade
Photo: courtesy Harry Lindop 2020  Date: Sept 2000

Part of the Gladstone display used in the Heavy Horses Parade
Photo: courtesy Harry Lindop 2020  Date: Sept 2000



2004 Halloween


Gladstone Pottery Museum - Halloween 2004
photos: Phil Rowley



2004 Maypole Dancing in the Cobbled Yard


Gladstone Pottery Museum  - Maypole Dancing 2004
photos: Phil Rowley



2004/5 Potters Markets

Craft potters show and sell their wares

Gladstone Pottery Museum Story
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 Story
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 Pottery Museum Story
Gladstone's Dr Who Day 18 May 2008
photos: Phil Rowley

Gladstone's Dr Who Day 18 May 2008
Photos: Angela Lee

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 Story
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


Gladstone Pottery Museum Story
Gladstone Pottery Museum - Wileman and Shelley Exhibition 2011


2012 Longton Beer Festival in the yard

Gladstone Pottery Museum Story


Gladstone Pottery Museum Story
Gladstone Pottery Museum -  Longton Beer Festival
Photos: Phil Rowley


2013 International Marquetry Exhibition


Gladstone Pottery Museum Story
International Marquetry Exhibition 2013
Photos: Phil Rowley


2013 Gladstone "Fired Up"


Gladstone Pottery Museum Story
Gladstone Pottery Museum - Fired Up 2013
photos: Phil Rowley





2014 Domesday Morris Dancers


Gladstone Pottery Museum
Domesday Morris Dancers 2014
photos: Phil Rowley

2014 Gladstone Gigs


Gladstone Pottery Museum Story


2014 Gladstonebury Beer and Music Festival 


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>

Gladstone Pottery Museum Story




2015 Twenty Four Hours In The Past

12 May 2015 BBC TV 'Constructed/Acted Reality Programme' filmed at Gladstone Pottery Museum
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05vncvw


24 Hours in the past
Paul Niblett and Nerys Williams take part in the show



2015 The Fifth Longton Beer Festival


Gladstone Pottery Museum Story  Beer Festival 2015
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

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 herehttps://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

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

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.