An If Ya Know Your History
Our Co-created Port Vale Bottle Kiln Shaped Player Planters. CLICK to View!
If you know your history you would know that Port Vale Football Club and the local pottery industry are closely connected. In the heyday of Stoke-on-Trent’s industrial heritage, there were over 2000 bottle kilns across the City. All producing various pottery ware, tiles and bricks. Today there are less than 50 still standing and they are all listed buildings. Managers, players, staff and fans have all worked in the potbanks and some still do…
The project recalls famous people, places, spaces and products surrounding the City’s pottery manufacturing. These include: entrepreneurs Josiah Wedgwood, Josiah Spode, Thomas and Herbert Minton, factories such as the Ivy House & Brick House Works in Burslem (The Mother Town), Middleport Pottery, Gladstone Museum, the Portland Vase, Doulton figurines and Beswick animals.
Fans will learn about past players, staff and managers associated with Port Vale and Stoke City football clubs who worked in the pottery industry as well as those who participated in local sport. Amongst others, ceramicist Lucien Boullemier played for both clubs in the 1890’s and early 1900’s and even produced his own range of pottery called ‘Boumier Ware’. Ex Port Vale manager John Askey worked in the industry as a labourer before moving into football as a full time professional.
The work produced by BBC Environmental Award winner Chris Parr alongside local youth organisations, community groups, trusts and charities is an ingenious way to show people how we can all make a difference both as individuals and businesses. All bottle kilns are handmade from recycled timber including picture frame displays that tell a sport and heritage story around that time period. All helping to reverse climate change, reduce carbon emissions while creating a circular economy here in the City.
Read more about Chris Parr’s passion for heritage and the creative arts here:
We exhibited the bottle kiln shaped artwork that helped the local sporting community to celebrate North Staffordshire‘s proud pottery industry. It brought people together to reminisce and share heritage related stories through art and recycling. The success of the cultural activities and exhibition showed that heritage in Stoke-on-Trent is still a priority and in people’s thoughts today.
The Journey Continues…
Sure it’s a grand old team to play for,
Yes it’s a grand old team bedad,
When we read its history,
It’s enough to make your heart grow sad,
God bless them.
We don’t care if we win lose or draw,
Darn the hair do we care,
Because we only know that there’s going to be a show,
And the Burslem Vale will be there.
Listen to Glen Daly’s Version
Listen to the Terraces Version
