ANGEL the AN UPDATE ON BURSLEM REGENERATION PROGRESS ISSUE 6 Autumn 2007 Vale Park child care centre is in league of its own See page five Page three Multi-million college flagship development unveiled Back page New police house opens at Middleport Trailblazing facility brings family friendly services under one roof Vale Park child care centre is in league of its own
An update on Burslem Regeneration Progress Vale Park child care centre is in league of its own. Trailblazing facility brings family friendly services under one roof.
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ANGELthe
AN UPDATE ON BURSLEM REGENERATION PROGRESS
ISSUE 6 Autumn 2007
Vale Park childcare centre is inleague ofits own
See page five
Page three
Multi-millioncollegeflagshipdevelopment unveiled
Back page
New policehouseopens atMiddleport
Trailblazing facilitybrings family friendlyservices under one roof
Vale Park childcare centre is inleague ofits own
I THOUGHT that the BurslemAngel was smiling when Ilooked up at her yesterday.She had every reason to behappy. Down beneath her wasThe Leopard, the oldest hotelin Staffordshire and the mostelderly pub in Stoke-on-Trent.
The ghosts of Emma andJosiah Wedgwood, and CharlesDarwin lurk in the shadows ofthe, as yet, still derelict upperfloors, but this will change. Anew energy lives inside. Localpeople are enjoyingthemselves in an atmospherewhere the past is ever present.
Just as the business insidethe Leopard is regenerating,things outside its ancient wallsare also moving forward.Already the Mother Town isearning for itself a reputationbeyond its new role as theplace to eat out in Stoke-on-Trent.
Behind the scenes, a newregeneration phase is comingto life. Building on thestrengths of the oldMasterplan, a new BurslemMasterplan is being drawn up.This means that a new visionfor the town is already on thehorizon with ceramics andtourism leading the way. TheBurslem ceramic companiesthemselves are in top form,enjoying a good year.
New houses are filling upwith new owners. Innovativeindustries and businesses aremoving into Burslem, bringingwith them new jobs, new facesand new ideas.
Burslem is visibly changingfor the benefit of its owncommunity.
● Leopard pub featured on TV’s
Most Haunted programme – see
page four.
New energyis replacingthe ghosts
By HughEdwards Chairman ofThe BurslemRegenerationCompany
2 T H E A N G E L
IF you go down to Burslem Park you’re in for a
pleasant surprise… for a £803,000 package of
improvements to the Mother Town’s “green
lung” is almost complete.
The popular amenity has bloomed under the
Greening for Growth programme in which
residents of the town have had a big say through
the local community group Burslem Park
Partnership.
One of the most dramatic additions is a 40 ft
fountain in the lake, while another new feature
that has attracted a lot of attention is a striking 9
ft heritage mosaic that forms the centrepiece of
an attractive seating area overlooking the lake.Groundwork Stoke-on-Trent, one of the City
Council’s Greening for Growth partners, worked
with specialist artist Rob Turner and the people of
the town to decide on the design of the mosaic
which paints a vivid picture of the park’s
importance at the heart of the local community.
Other good things that have happened in the
park include a water cascade feature, a new
children’s playground, three multi-use sports
courts with skating, tennis and five-a-side
facilities, a bicycle stand close to the national
cycleway, signage and disabled parking bays.
Also a lot of general improvement works have
been carried out, such as re-edging and re-
surfacing of walkways, refurbishments to the
paths and steps around the cascade and the
installation of picnic benches.
Funding to improve Burslem Park was secured
through the Greening for Growth programme with
the support of Advantage West Midlands and the
European Regional Development Agency.
Local people admired their new-look park when
they attended a special event to unveil the
heritage mosaic. A host of free activities included
a clown entertainer, face painting, raffles and
displays by the fire and police services.
New lifegushesinto park
New lifegushesinto park
Major restoration work is almost complete
Parkvisitor Harriet
Brown admiresthe newfountain.
T H E A N G E L 3
REGENERATION chiefsaiming to breathe new lifeinto Stoke-on-Trent havehigh hopes for the futureof Burslem.
A team bringing allmajor improvementinitiatives under thebanner of the NorthStaffordshire RegenerationPartnership aims to givethe Burslem RegenerationCompany more “clout”with its own budget anddedicated projectmanagers.
The city’s regenerationteam is headed by TomMacartney, who earned aninternational reputationfor his work in Glasgowand Sunderland. MrMacartney is working tostrengthen the city’s futureregeneration efforts byreviewing all existingprojects to make sure theyachieve maximum benefitsfor the area.
Stoke-on-Trent NorthMP Joan Walley said thismeant putting a temporaryhold on importantschemes in Burslem likethe refurbishment of theWedgwood Institute, but inthe long run it would leadto more co-ordinatedregeneration across thewhole of NorthStaffordshire.
Joan – a member of theBurslem RegenerationCompany board – said:“Previously the companyhas been run bycommitted individuals whoare passionate about thetown but had very littleresource.
“In the future there willbe people in place tomanage a wide range ofprojects, as well as assetsand budgets to make aneven bigger difference inthe town. We will see aregeneration companywith real clout, and that’sgot to be good news forthe town.”
An artist’s impression of the plannedmulti-million futuristic building at
Stoke on Trent College’sBurslem campus.
4 T H E A N G E L
THE UK’s first children’scentre to be built in afootball stadium is takingshape at Vale Park.
Port Vale have teamed upwith Stoke-on-Trent CityCouncil to provide thetrailblazing centre offering ahuge range of services tolocal families. When itopens its doors at the endof March 2008 the purposedesigned child care facilitywill be in a league of itsown, with a raised balconyplay area at the front of thestand which provides aclose-up view of thehallowed Vale pitch!
Construction is well underway and the outer shell ofthe one-storey Centre,which forms part of the re-developed Lorne StreetStand, is now complete andready to be fitted out.
The £800,000 project hasbeen partly funded with a£245,000 grant fromregional developmentagency Advantage WestMidlands through the NorthStaffordshire RegenerationZone. The remaining costhas been met by £550,000Government.
Adele Eaton, ProjectOfficer with The Early Yearsand Childcare Service said:“The Children’s Centre atBurslem is an ideal locationas Port Vale is at the heartof the community, bothgeographically andsymbolically. “
Innovativechildren’scentre is onschedule
BURSLEM’S Leopard Inn swapped pint mugsfor motion detectors this month when TVshow Most Haunted scoured the pub for arather different kind of spirit.
The two-hour programme, which aired liveon satellite channel Living TV, saw cameracrews wire up the building for a ghost hunt.
Programme-makers approached the pubafter spiritualists claimed to sense asupernatural presence in its cellar, which wasonce used as a mortuary.
Manager Neil Cox said: “Local spiritualistshave explored the premises several timesand said they feel something – or someone –haunting it. This feeling seems to bestrongest down in the cellar, which makessense because a lot of dead bodies havepassed through there.”
The Leopard has hosted several famousfigures in its time as a licensed pub,including industrial pioneers Josiah
Wedgwood and James Brindley as theyplanned the Trent and Mersey Canal in 1765.It also features in a number of ArnoldBennet’s Five Towns novels as “the Tiger”.
More recently, management havediscovered a network of undergroundtunnels, which once led to a brewery andbottling bank over the road. Plans are alsoafoot to refurbish 58 forgotten hotelbedrooms used by travellers in pastcenturies. The tunnels and suites hail fromthe Leopard’s Victorian days as a premierhotel. Management hope to re-open therooms for a new generation of visitors.
The publicity from Most Haunted can onlyraise further the Leopard’s profile as a pubsteeped in history. Neil said: “The Leopard’sbeen around a long time and there’s plenty ofstories locked up in it. I’m sure the attentionit’s had from Most Haunted will bring moreinterested groups through the doors.”
GHOST
TV psychics try to spot spirits at Leopard
Leopard ManagerNeil Cox in the pub’s“forgotten” corridorleading to the oldderelict bedrooms.
HU
NT
Cover pictureOur cover picture shows thestunning Vale Park vistafrom the Children’s Centre,which is currently beingbuilt. Pictured with localyoungsters Rubin Taylor,left, and Daniel Plant, areRachael Bestwick,Staffordshire PartnershipTeam Leader for theregional developmentagency Advantage WestMidlands, and Valemidfielder Shane Tudor.
T H E A N G E L 5
PIONEERING enterprise
units at Vale Park helped
North Staffordshire scoop
the government title of best
place in Britain to start a
business.
The Vale Park Enterprise
Centre is the UK’s first business
start-up facilities to be based at
a football stadium and
impressed judges visiting the
area as part of the Enterprising
Britain contest.
Twenty purpose-built units in
the Lorne Street stand
development offer a perfect
environment for fledgling
companies to start up,
and established
companies to
thrive. The
units range
from 130 sq ft
to 430 sq ft.
Already four of
the larger-sized
high quality
office suites
have been let,
which means
that over a
quarter of the centre’s total
office space is spoken for even
before the centre opens its
doors.
A superb-business back-up
facility comes with a full service
package for tenants, including
high-speed broadband
connection, integrated
telephone system, secure access
entry system, dedicated car
parking and 24/7 access.
Rents include rates, heating
and lighting – in fact everything
except phone bills – and
tenancies are on a flexible “easy
in, easy out” basis.
The enterprises which have
already signed up to base
themselves at the Vale Park
Enterprise Centre are The
Federation of Stadium
Communities, a Burslem-based
national charity dedicated to
improving the quality of life in
neighbourhoods close to
stadiums, Westonia Mortgages,
one of Vale’s sponsors, and
Money Matters, an advisory
service for small businesses.
David Thorley, Port Vale’s
Stand Development Co-ordinator
who will also manage the
Enterprise Centre when it is up
and running, said: “The
Enterprise Centre has been
designed to create the best
possible environment to
incubate new-start enterprises
and help already established
small businesses to grow
further.
“It is an important part of Port
Vale’s strategy to put the club
and its facilities at the hub of the
community and make a strong
contribution to the economic
and social regeneration
of Burslem.”
Success in the national
Enterprising Britain
feature means North
Staffordshire goes
forward to the European
competition later this
year, when results will
be announced in
Portugal.
North Staffordshire
Regeneration Zone Chief
Executive Aktar Choudhury
said: “The Enterprising
Britain award will put North
Staffordshire well and truly on
the map as a tremendously
vibrant enterprise culture and a
great place to start and grow a
business.
“In creating that environment,
with more than 200,000 sq ft of
business premises specifically
for business start-ups, North
Staffordshire Regeneration Zone
has left a legacy which will
continue to benefit the people,
companies and communities of
North Staffordshire for decades
to come.”
Vale enterprisescores first goals Vale enterprisescores first goals Centre helpsNorth Staffsscoop topnationalaward as firstbusinessesmove in
Work on the enterprisecentre on the second tierof the Lorne Street standis now almost complete.
Peter Cooke, right, Enterprise and Innovation Programme Manager for NSRZ, and Vale Chairman Bill Bratt hold the coveted Enterprising Britain award.
6 T H E A N G E L T H E A N G E L 7
THE first companies havemoved into innovativebusiness units in Burslem’sformer Victorian magistrates’courthouse.
Digital photographyspecialist The Image Factoryand Jones and Associates,who have wide-rangingexpertise in ceramicdecoration, moved into theCourthouse, which has beenrefurbished by the NorthStaffordshire RegenerationZone funded by AdvantageWest MIdlands.
The refurbishment is part ofan ongoing plan by theowners of Moorland Potteryto develop derelict buildingsaround their site and attractnew uses.
Moorland PotteryManaging Director John Plantsaid: “The Courthouse hasbeen vacant for nine yearsand it has been our long termaim to develop the site.However, it wasn’t until wegained support from NorthStaffordshire RegenerationZone that the project quicklygained momentum.
“We have been able torefurbish all the existingoffices as well as convert theoriginal caretaker’s residence
to deliver a state of the artfacility with wirelessbroadband for all occupantsand a keyless entry system.
“Our aim is to establish acommunity of complimentarybusinesses in an environmentthat will enable them as wellas ourselves to grow.”
He added that MoorlandPottery were already innegotiations with an internetcompany and several othercreative businesses who wereinterested in occupying theother units in The Courthouse.
Sue Prince, Board memberof Advantage West Midlandssaid: “This is a first-classrefurbishment of one ofBurslem’s most historicbuildings The Court House isan excellent example of abright, modern and sensitiverefurbishment that willappeal to entrepreneurs.”
TUCKED away in the backstreets of
Burslem is a specialist company
which ensures that the
legendary Spitfire fighter
plane can still reach for
the skies more than 70
years after it first took off.
Supermarine Aero
Engineering Ltd is the
world's largest approved
manufacturer of spare parts and
assemblies for the famous RAF
Spitfires which helped to turn the
tide of the Second World War during
the Battle of Britain.
The company, set up by managing
director Mark Harris in 1996, can
supply everything from the smallest
washer to the
complete
aircraft – which,
fittingly, was
originally designed by
Reginald Mitchell who was from
North Staffordshire.
There are currently 61 Spitfires in
the world, with another 10 under
construction, and Supermarine's
database and archives hold the most
extensive drawing list for the aircraft
available anywhere.
General manager Andy Nicklin
said: “Some Spitfires are owned by
individuals, but the vast majority
earn their keep in air displays all over
the world.”
Supermarine have a 24-hour
emergency service for aircraft
grounded during displays and Andy
added: “We operate a one-stop
shop for all parts and services to
enable us to keep our customers
happy and their aircraft in the air.
“With our extensive knowledge of
the Spitfire we are able to answer
most questions and offer advice
about any aspect of the aircraft. We
are the successors to the original
manufacturers.”
An indication of the interest
stimulated by Supermarine became
apparent when local historian Fred
Hughes included a tour of the factory
during Heritage Open Days weekend.
Andy added: “We were expecting
about half a dozen people and 57
came through the doors.
“We aren't really set up to receive
such a number, but it was very nice
to see so many people who were
interested in what we are doing.”
PAST and present rubshoulders in a heritage trailunveiled to draw more
visitors to Burslem. Nine“heritage panels” have beenerected across the town,dispensing nuggets of historythrough text, drawings andphotographs.
Leaflets have been distributed in
Tourist Centres and community venues
around North Staffordshire to promote
the trail, as well as places to eat, drink
and stay in the mother town.
The project was funded by North
Staffordshire Regeneration Zone, City
Council and Burslem businesses.
Pottery company Moorcroft Retail
Sales Director Kim Thompson who was
in the project’s working group, said a
trail was the best way to boost tourism
because it would both inform visitors
about Burslem’s history and help them
find their way around.
“The idea is to raise tourists’ and
investors’ awareness of the wealth of
creative history in Burslem. The town
has iconic buildings and, through this
project, they could become key
Wedgwood attractions.”
As well as commemorating the past,
the project also points to Burslem’s
future, showcasing artwork by pupils
at Burslem’s Primary Schools. Kim
said: “It’s important that the younger
generation are incorporated into their
town’s culture. The project’s not just to
show Burslem’s past creativity but to
foreshadow our achievers of
tomorrow.”
Former president of Burslem
Chamber of Trade Howard Latham said
the trail would act as a tour guide that
never goes off duty. He added:
“Historian Fred Hughes has led some
great walking tours for visitors, but the
trail can act as a guide twenty four
hours a day seven days a week.”
The panels have already proved a hit
with some locals. Shopper Avril
Adshead said the project was a fitting
tribute to Burslem’s history.
She added: “They have a trail like
this in Chester, and our American
friends loved it. If history’s not visible
on the streets then people will pass
through without knowing it’s there.”The panels contrast modern street
plans with maps of the eighteen
century rural settlement they grew
from. This clash of then and now
comes into sharp relief on Market
Place where the town hall’s classical
architecture stands wall-to-wall with
Ceramica’s ultra-modern maze of rails
and girders.
Over the road, Swan Bank boasts
several historic landmarks, including
Burslem Methodist Mission Church
where Arnold Bennet schooled as a
young boy and which features in a
number of his “Five Towns” novels.
The tour continues on Queen Street,
St John’s Square, Burleigh, Moorcroft,
Westport Road and Burslem Park.
History nuggets galore on
heritage trail
The Swan Bank heritage panel which features the BurslemMethodist Mission Church is viewed by resident Charles Mai.
Travel Agent Chris Denhamstudies the heritage panel which
highlights the history of theWedgwood Institute building
pictured in the background.
‘Court’ has appealfor entrepreneurs
Shopper Avril Adshead reads the Market Place panel which tracesthe development of the town back to 1720.
Supermarine Managing Director Mark Harris carriesout renovation work on the Spitfire which is ondisplay at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery.
Key role in keeping theSpitfire flying
Sue Prince, Advantage West Midlands Board Member, ispresented with a special piece of Moorland pottery tocommemorate her conducting the official opening of theCourthouse Enterprise Centre pictured in the background. Sheis flanked by Andrew James, left, former Projects Manager forNorth Staffordshire Regeneration Zone, and Moorland PotteryManaging Director John Plant.
6 T H E A N G E L T H E A N G E L 7
THE first companies havemoved into innovativebusiness units in Burslem’sformer Victorian magistrates’courthouse.
Digital photographyspecialist The Image Factoryand Jones and Associates,who have wide-rangingexpertise in ceramicdecoration, moved into theCourthouse, which has beenrefurbished by the NorthStaffordshire RegenerationZone funded by AdvantageWest MIdlands.
The refurbishment is part ofan ongoing plan by theowners of Moorland Potteryto develop derelict buildingsaround their site and attractnew uses.
Moorland PotteryManaging Director John Plantsaid: “The Courthouse hasbeen vacant for nine yearsand it has been our long termaim to develop the site.However, it wasn’t until wegained support from NorthStaffordshire RegenerationZone that the project quicklygained momentum.
“We have been able torefurbish all the existingoffices as well as convert theoriginal caretaker’s residence
to deliver a state of the artfacility with wirelessbroadband for all occupantsand a keyless entry system.
“Our aim is to establish acommunity of complimentarybusinesses in an environmentthat will enable them as wellas ourselves to grow.”
He added that MoorlandPottery were already innegotiations with an internetcompany and several othercreative businesses who wereinterested in occupying theother units in The Courthouse.
Sue Prince, Board memberof Advantage West Midlandssaid: “This is a first-classrefurbishment of one ofBurslem’s most historicbuildings The Court House isan excellent example of abright, modern and sensitiverefurbishment that willappeal to entrepreneurs.”
TUCKED away in the backstreets of
Burslem is a specialist company
which ensures that the
legendary Spitfire fighter
plane can still reach for
the skies more than 70
years after it first took off.
Supermarine Aero
Engineering Ltd is the
world's largest approved
manufacturer of spare parts and
assemblies for the famous RAF
Spitfires which helped to turn the
tide of the Second World War during
the Battle of Britain.
The company, set up by managing
director Mark Harris in 1996, can
supply everything from the smallest
washer to the
complete
aircraft – which,
fittingly, was
originally designed by
Reginald Mitchell who was from
North Staffordshire.
There are currently 61 Spitfires in
the world, with another 10 under
construction, and Supermarine's
database and archives hold the most
extensive drawing list for the aircraft
available anywhere.
General manager Andy Nicklin
said: “Some Spitfires are owned by
individuals, but the vast majority
earn their keep in air displays all over
the world.”
Supermarine have a 24-hour
emergency service for aircraft
grounded during displays and Andy
added: “We operate a one-stop
shop for all parts and services to
enable us to keep our customers
happy and their aircraft in the air.
“With our extensive knowledge of
the Spitfire we are able to answer
most questions and offer advice
about any aspect of the aircraft. We
are the successors to the original
manufacturers.”
An indication of the interest
stimulated by Supermarine became
apparent when local historian Fred
Hughes included a tour of the factory
during Heritage Open Days weekend.
Andy added: “We were expecting
about half a dozen people and 57
came through the doors.
“We aren't really set up to receive
such a number, but it was very nice
to see so many people who were
interested in what we are doing.”
PAST and present rubshoulders in a heritage trailunveiled to draw more
visitors to Burslem. Nine“heritage panels” have beenerected across the town,dispensing nuggets of historythrough text, drawings andphotographs.
Leaflets have been distributed in
Tourist Centres and community venues
around North Staffordshire to promote
the trail, as well as places to eat, drink
and stay in the mother town.
The project was funded by North
Staffordshire Regeneration Zone, City
Council and Burslem businesses.
Pottery company Moorcroft Retail
Sales Director Kim Thompson who was
in the project’s working group, said a
trail was the best way to boost tourism
because it would both inform visitors
about Burslem’s history and help them
find their way around.
“The idea is to raise tourists’ and
investors’ awareness of the wealth of
creative history in Burslem. The town
has iconic buildings and, through this
project, they could become key
Wedgwood attractions.”
As well as commemorating the past,
the project also points to Burslem’s
future, showcasing artwork by pupils
at Burslem’s Primary Schools. Kim
said: “It’s important that the younger
generation are incorporated into their
town’s culture. The project’s not just to
show Burslem’s past creativity but to
foreshadow our achievers of
tomorrow.”
Former president of Burslem
Chamber of Trade Howard Latham said
the trail would act as a tour guide that
never goes off duty. He added:
“Historian Fred Hughes has led some
great walking tours for visitors, but the
trail can act as a guide twenty four
hours a day seven days a week.”
The panels have already proved a hit
with some locals. Shopper Avril
Adshead said the project was a fitting
tribute to Burslem’s history.
She added: “They have a trail like
this in Chester, and our American
friends loved it. If history’s not visible
on the streets then people will pass
through without knowing it’s there.”The panels contrast modern street
plans with maps of the eighteen
century rural settlement they grew
from. This clash of then and now
comes into sharp relief on Market
Place where the town hall’s classical
architecture stands wall-to-wall with
Ceramica’s ultra-modern maze of rails
and girders.
Over the road, Swan Bank boasts
several historic landmarks, including
Burslem Methodist Mission Church
where Arnold Bennet schooled as a
young boy and which features in a
number of his “Five Towns” novels.
The tour continues on Queen Street,
St John’s Square, Burleigh, Moorcroft,
Westport Road and Burslem Park.
History nuggets galore on
heritage trail
The Swan Bank heritage panel which features the BurslemMethodist Mission Church is viewed by resident Charles Mai.
Travel Agent Chris Denhamstudies the heritage panel which
highlights the history of theWedgwood Institute building
pictured in the background.
‘Court’ has appealfor entrepreneurs
Shopper Avril Adshead reads the Market Place panel which tracesthe development of the town back to 1720.
Supermarine Managing Director Mark Harris carriesout renovation work on the Spitfire which is ondisplay at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery.
Key role in keeping theSpitfire flying
Sue Prince, Advantage West Midlands Board Member, ispresented with a special piece of Moorland pottery tocommemorate her conducting the official opening of theCourthouse Enterprise Centre pictured in the background. Sheis flanked by Andrew James, left, former Projects Manager forNorth Staffordshire Regeneration Zone, and Moorland PotteryManaging Director John Plant.
8 T H E A N G E L
The Angel p8 12/10/07 17:51 Page 1
T H E A N G E L 9
Burslem conference raises employer awareness
EMPLOYERS from all over
North Staffordshire
converged on Burslem to
learn about how they can benefit
from recruiting staff with
disabilities. The conference suite
at Vale Park was the venue for
two seminars attended by a total
of more than 60 local business
leaders.
Both lunchtime get -togethers
were part of a nationwide
programme of similar events to
raise awareness of Realising
Potential, a partnership project
designed by the National
Employment Panel, the
Employers’ Forum on Disability,
the Office for Disability Issues
and Jobcentre Plus.
The informal sessions were
designed to provide a
comprehensive understanding of
the business benefits of being
“disability confident”
employers”– businesses and
organisations who appreciate
the commercial advantages of
providing job and career
opportunities for people with
disabilities.
Highly successful
entrepreneur Rick Williams, who
is blind and an associate of the
Employers’ Forum on Disability,
told delegates how disability
confident organisations can
reduce recruitment costs, recruit
from a wider pool of talent,
provide improved customer care
for everyone, build a brand
reputation and be seen to be in
touch with the communities in
which they operate.
The employers were also told
about the role of Jobcentre Plus
in preparing those on disability
benefits for the world of work
and delivering a streamlined
service that helps them recruit
the right people for the right
jobs.
Marie Clowes-Hackney,
Operations Manager for
Jobcentre Plus in Staffordshire,
said: “ There was positive
feedback from the organisations
represented at the seminars.
“The seminars helped to
dispel the misconception among
many employers that most
people with disabilities are in a
wheelchair or are blind. This is
not the case and very often there
is no need to carry out
alterations to the workplace in
order to accommodate
employees with disabilities.
“The clear message for
employers was that they were
not being asked to be charitable
and employ people because they
have disabilities.
“But by encouraging people
with disabilities to apply for
vacancies in their organisations
they could find that the best
person for the job may just
happen to be disabled.”
Marie added: “Staffordshire
has one of the highest numbers
of people of working age on
incapacity benefits. Two thirds of
those are in North Staffordshire,
so there will be a
proportionately high
number in a town like
Burslem.”
Sarah Emery, Group
Diversity Manager of the
Leek-based Britannia
Building Society, told
delegates at one of the
Burslem seminars how
the Britannia is
encouraging its staff to
be disability confident by
meeting groups of people
with disabilities and
taking part in their
activities.
“This practical
experience is better than
any training package,”
said Sarah. “ It gives staff the
confidence to deal with
customers and colleagues with
disabilities. As an organisation
committed to equality we are
keen to offer career
opportunities to people with
disabilities.”
Craig Johnson, left, Jobcentre Plus Customer Engagement TeamLeader, discusses issues relating to employing disabled peoplewith Manraj Singh, an advisor at the Burslem branch of theBritannia Building Society.
Vital help to recruit staff with
disabilities
Pictured at the Vale Park conference are key note speaker RickWilliams with Julie Carruthers, left, Jobcentre Plus DistrictManager, and Stoke-on-Trent North MP Joan Walley.
AROUND 20 new jobs willcome to Burslem whenpersonnel specialist JuniperTraining relocates to officesat the former Albany Worksin Moorland Road. Thederelict pottery complexhas been refurnished byregeneration charityGroundwork Stoke-on-Trent,which also has its offices inthe old factory.
New jobs atderelict works
10 T H E A N G E L
HAIRDRESSER ChristineLovatt hopes a move ofjust a few short steps tonewly refurbishedpremises will keep her acut above the rest.
Christine was alertedto the possibility whenshe read an article aboutthe gatewayrefurbishment project inlast December’s issue ofThe Angel.
And it took just onetelephone call to get theball rolling for her switchfrom number three to
number seven NewcastleStreet. Christine said: “Iworked at number threeas employee and thenowner for a total of 31years. Those premisesserved their purpose, butI felt I needed to move toimprove.
“I’m delighted with mybright new shop, whichhas cost me only a veryslight increase in rent.The feedback fromcustomers has been 100per cent positive and I’mconfident I can now
attract new clients.”Customer Mary
Chadwick said: “I thinkthe new shop is fantastic.Christine has worked veryhard to prepare thesepremises while keepingher business going.”
The gateway project,funded by the NorthStaffordshireRegeneration Zone,included improvements toshop frontages and otherbusiness premises, givingvisitors a more positiveimage of the town.
BURSLEM hit the nationalspotlight when the historicMiddleport Pottery factory
hosted the BBC’s popular AntiquesRoadshow.
Days before the programme wasscreened to a global audience ofmillions, the victorian pottery wasthe venue for the launch of thenational Heritage Open Daysscheme, which sees hundreds ofhistoric buildings throughout thecountry opened to the public forfree.
Other Burslem Buildingsincluded this year were Port ValeFootball Club and the LeopardHotel in the town centre.
Minister for Culture, CreativeIndustries and Tourism MargaretHodge was guest of honour at thelaunch .
Stoke-on-Trent’s elected mayorMark Meredith said: “The citycouncil is creating in Stoke-on-Trent a vibrant modern citycomprised of an exciting mix ofancient and modern attractions.
“Heritage locations are a vitalpart of our drive to attract touristsand, as demonstrated by thisPottery, also contribute to proudlyupdating the city’s traditionalexpertise in ceramics and making avital contribution to the moderneconomy.
“City council action has savedthe building we are standing in,together with many others inMiddleport.
“Through Middleport TownscapeHeritage Initiative the city councilhas been able to inject £350,000worth of grant into repairing thisGrade 2 star listed potterycomplex.
“As all can see these are not juststatic buildings, but are now avibrant complex producing qualitypottery.”
Pictured at the launch are, left to right, Stoke-on-Trent's Elected Mayor Mark Meredith, ChiefExecutive of English Heritage Simon Thurley, Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent Bagh Ali, MargaretHodge, Chairman of the Civic Trust, Philip Kolvin and Middleport Pottery owners Rosemary andWilliam Dorling.
Factory hitsthe nationalspotlight
Christine cuts a smart move
Minister Margaret Hodge speaking at the national launchof the Heritage Open Day scheme at Middleport Pottery.
Christine Lovatt in her new salon.
T H E A N G E L 11
EMOTIONAL scenes marked the unveiling of
the long-awaited tribute to the victims and
heroic rescuers of the 1942 Sneyd Colliery
disaster.
During the 65 years since the New Year’s Day
tragedy in which 57 miners died in a massive
underground explosion there had been several
calls for a fitting memorial.
That dream finally came true when a stunning
memorial – a 6ft diameter pit wheel set in a plinth
which stands in Burslem outside Ceramica in
Wedgwood Place – was officially opened amid
tears and applause from relatives of the victims.
The poignant ceremony was the successful
outcome of the latest efforts to properly honour
those who perished as well as the brave rescue
teams who put their own lives at risk and toiled for
eight days in grim and dangerous conditions to
recover all the bodies of their colleagues.
The moving memorial includes a marble plaque
that lists the names of those killed in the disaster,
as well as the rescue workers whose lives
depended on breathing apparatus protecting them
from the lethal carbon monoxide fumes in the
underground shaft.
Keith Meeson, Chairman of the Apedale Mining
Heritage Centre, who raised £2,500 towards the
cost of the memorial with a sponsored walk
dressed as a Victorian miner, said:
“This lasting tribute has been very well received.
Lots of relatives of miners who died in the pit
disaster were at the unveiling ceremony, and the
moment was very emotional. It may have seemed
a drop in the ocean, given the thousands who were
dying in the second world war at the time, but it
was a catastrophe for Burslem.
“One lady who attended the ceremony told how
her father narrowly avoided the tragedy by
swapping shifts with a work mate the night before
the explosion.
“If they had not swapped, her father’s name
would be on the plaque in that man’s place. It
shows how many families the event touched.”
Keith added: “The memorial should be a source
of pride. It celebrates our heroes, not just the
rescue workers but the miners themselves. Their
work played a vital part in the war effort.”
Relatives of the victims plan to place flowers at
the memorial every New Year’s Day to mark the
date of the Sneyd Colliery disaster.
PROPOSALS to transform thehistoric Royal Doultonfactory site at Burslem andbring new jobs and housingto the Mother Town havereached a new stage.
As The Angel was going topress developers St ModwenProperties applied to the CityCouncil for planningpermission for the £10million scheme to go ahead.Under the plans the formerhome of the Nile Streetfactory will be converted toaround 37 business units,while nearby derelictbuildings will be demolishedto make way for a further 35units.
The prime location willalso create 140 new familyhomes, both traditionalhouses and fashionablemews, to attract morefamilies back into the town –a key factor in Burslem’sregeneration.
A new draft master plandetailing final proposals forthe 11 acres of land wasdisplayed at Burslem Schoolof Art to give residents achance to have their sayabout the scheme.
St Modwen RegionalDirector Mike Herbert said:“Burslem is a town that isgoing places, and thisdevelopment will help tocreate a vibrant towncentre.”
After discussions withplanning officials, StModwen have made changesto the original plans. The layout for the housing nowfollows a grid-like pattern tomake it more urban thansuburban, and thereforemore appropriate for its towncentre location.
And the “enterprisecourtyard,” that will becreated by convertinghistoric buildings at thegated main factory entrancein Nile Street, will be smallerthan originally planned.
Campaigner Keith Meeson with relatives of Sneyd Colliery disaster victims and rescuers, left to right,Beryl Royle, Barbara Limer and Agnes Burgess at the pit memorial in Burslem town centre.
Relatives at the unveiling ceremony.
Memorial finally in place asjustice is done
Public welcome tribute to heroic miners Planningapplicationmade forprime sitescheme
The Angel is produced on behalf of Burslem Regeneration Company by Smith Davis Press
ADVICE and information oncourses at Stoke on TrentCollege’s Burslem Campuswill be offered at openevenings on October 31and November 29. Anyoneis welcome to find outmore about opportunitiesat the college betwen5.30pm and 8.30pm.
BURSLEM’S first winebar is bringing a touch ofclass to the mother town.
Tucked away behind ahedge and archway,Chambers Wine Bar onWedgwood Place boasts awide spread of tipplesfrom French red for undera tenner to luxury LouisRoederer Cristal at £250 abottle. Proprietor JulieWilkins said the bar offerstownsfolk a more refinednight out. She added: “Ithink the bar stands outby focusing on qualitywines and ambience.”
Chambers is based in anold Georgian House nextdoor to the Roebuck pub.The house dates back tothe 1730s and waspreviously a solicitor’soffice.
POLICE are never far away from the people
who live on their beat in Middleport. For a
new Police and Community House has
opened its doors to serve as a base for the area’s
dedicated police team.
The property, an end terrace house at 215,
Newport Lane, was provided by RENEW and also
provides a meeting place for the Residents’
Association, other community groups and local
councillors.
Like so many properties around it, the Police
and Community House had been standing empty
to make way for the regeneration programme that
will transform this part of Burslem.
Residents were concerned that the vacant
houses were attracting crime and anti-social
behaviour. Lead and copper have been stripped
from some of the empty premises, while fly tipping
in alleyways and greenways has become a
problem.
Now Middleport’s team of Neighbour Beat
Officers and Police Community Support Officers
will be based at the heart of the community.
Inspector Jim Wood, of Burslem police, said:
“The Police House means that local officers can
spend even more time in Middleport because they
will not be out of the area travelling to and from
Burslem police station, where they were formerly
based.
“Local people are welcome to pop into the
house and keep in touch with the officers about
anything that concerns them. It is an effective way
of bringing policing closer to the community with a
highly visible presence.”
In addition to their new base, the Middleport
police team has two new “recruits” – two purpose
designed mountain bikes provided by RENEW to
add to their two existing bicyles that were supplied
by Stoke-on-Trent City Council. The bikes mean
that beat officers can respond rapidly to incidents
in locations like rough land and alleyways .
■ This is the neighbourhood police team that
serves the Middleport community (collar number
in brackets): Neigbourhood Beat Officer Scott
McGrath (4886), Neighbourhood Beat Officer
Adam Syred (0966), PCSO Helen Rowley (8959),
PCSO Adam Van De Sande (8832).
To contact any of these officers phone 08453 30
31 32 and after the prompt, key in the officer’s
collar number, Calls are charged at local rate.
THE Sadlers Park housingdevelopment that isbringing stylish andaffordable homes to thecentre of Burslem, hasentered an exciting thirdphase. The developersCountryside Propertieshave started constructionof a mix of houses andapartments situated inMarket Place opposite theCeramica building and onthe site of the demolishedSadler pottery factory.
The latest properties,which are ideal for bothfamilies and first-timebuyers as well as forcouples and single people,will start to becomeavailable between Springand Summer 2008.
Wine barambience
Next phaseset to start
Open nights
Middleport resident MaudHill pictured outside the
new police post with, left toright, Neighbourhood BeatOfficers Scott McGrath and