Heritage Open Days 2022 page 3

Phoenix Works

500 King Street, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 1EZ

Monday 12th September

11:00 to 16:30

Explore the bottle ovens at the Phoenix Works, recently discovered to be of an unusual "downdraught skeleton" type, unique survivors within the city. Join local experts and the buildings' owner on site to look at the ovens, integral chimney and the secret tunnels that connect them together. Supported by the Ceramic Heritage Action Zone and the Potteries Bottle Oven Owners Club. An Astounding Inventions event!

Booking: not required

Website: potteries.org.uk

Potteries Tile Trail | Love Letters Walk

Stoke-on-Trent has an extensive collection of historic street signs made from ceramic ‘tile’ letters embedded in the brickwork of period houses and buildings (late c.19 - early c.20). This walk will explore examples to be found in the Oxford Road area of Penkhull. You will find out a bit more about the fascinating story of 'in situ' ceramic signs as well as this interesting residential neighbourhood. The walk will be led by Danny Callaghan from Ceramic City Stories and Andy Perkin from Potteries Heritage Society.

Booking: Pre-book online: ceramiccitystories.info/events

Website: ceramiccitystories.info

R J Mitchell - The Man Behind the Spitfire

An illustrated talk by Julian Mitchell, R J Mitchell's great nephew. It will cover R J Mitchell’s life and career, including the development of the Schneider Cup planes, as well as his design of the Spitfire, which remains an inspirational icon of engineering excellence.

Booking: not required

Regent Theatre Open Day

Regent Theatre
Piccadilly, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 1AP

Sunday 11th September

10:00 to 16:00

The Regent Theatre will be throwing open its doors to welcome members of the public to come and look behind the scenes of a working theatre! Free activities include backstage tours, technical demonstrations and workshops. Activities will take place between 10am and 4pm, and include backstage tours led by theatre staff, technical demonstrations and live performances on stage, and lots of free, fun workshops for the little ones!

Booking: Pre-book online: https://www.atgtickets.com/stoke

Website: atgtickets.com/stoke

Salt, Pepper and Vinegar Bottle Ovens

James Kent (Ceramic Materials) Ltd
Fountain Street, Fenton
Stoke on Trent, ST4 2HB

Friday 16th September

13:00 to 17:00

See the three calcining bottle ovens known locally as "salt, pepper and vinegar" at close quarters and learn about how the manufactured products were used in the local pottery industry.

Booking: not required

Website: jameskentgroup.com

Secret Museum | Open Doors

An opportunity to see behind the scenes at Winkhill Mill, Swan Street, Stoke, a traditional ceramic tile manufactory. 'The Firing Line' produces dust pressed tiles using traditional techniques & c.100 year old cast iron machinery. It is also home to Ceramic City Stories & CLAYHEAD Collection.

Booking: Not required (but it helps to have an idea of numbers prior to an event if you can let us know you aim to visit)

Website: ceramiccitystories.info/events

Secret Museum | Virtual Open Doors

An opportunity to take a virtual tour behind the scenes of a traditional ceramic tile manufactory (via a live Zoom video call). 'The Firing Line' produces dust pressed tiles using traditional techniques & c.100 year old cast iron machinery. You will need to have the (FREE) Zoom app downloaded to your computer, tablet or phone prior to the event. For more information & app download please click on the following link: https://zoom.us/download

Booking: Pre-book online: ceramiccitystories.info/events

Website: ceramiccitystories.info

Secret Museum | Window Display

A unique showcase of community & crowd-sourced tiles, ceramics & related ‘curios’ displayed in this unique 'shop window' of a traditional tile works. Visitors will be be able to enjoy 50+ small scale exhibits viewed ‘remotely’ from Swan Street. Please note: access inside the building is only available as part of the two ‘factory tours’ offered (11am both Saturday mornings during HODs. See: Secret Museum | Open Doors).

Booking: not required

Website: ceramiccitystories.info

Shirley's 1857 Potters' Mill in Steam

Etruria Industrial Museum

Saturday 10th September

Sunday 11th September

11:00 to 16:30

See a mill which produced ground bone, flint and other materials for the pottery industry from 1857 in steam and operating on both days. It is driven by an 1820s beam engine with steam raised in a locally built 1903 boiler. Also on Saturday a display of working vintage stationary engines and on Sunday a classic vehicle rally. Blacksmith demonstrations in the canal forge. Free parking off Etruria Vale Road. Access to the mill limited for those with mobility difficulties.

Booking: not required

Website: etruriamusuem.org.uk

Spitfire - Afternoon Tours - CANCELLED

Booking: Pre-book tours (strongly advised): https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spitfire-tours-tickets-395077947777