Latest news with #LynSharpe
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Stoke-on-Trent centenary cream tea sets new Guinness record
A new world record has been secured in Stoke-on-Trent after hundreds of people joined in with a special cream tea party at venues across the and scones were enjoyed by 777 people across five officially-verified venues, according to Stoke-on-Trent City beat the previous record of 667, set by Yorkshire Building Society across six locations in Leeds, Bradford, Peterborough and Cheltenham in total, about 15,000 people came together across almost 200 venues on Tuesday to celebrate the city's centenary. Guinness World Records adjudicators attended five venues: The Victoria Hall in Hanley, DoubleTree by Hilton hotel at Festival Park, Stoke Town Hall, Stoke Minster, and NatWest in parties were also held in Stoke-on-Trent's twin city Erlangen in Germany. 'So proud' "This wasn't just about the numbers - it was about celebrating who we are, a city built on pride, resilience and togetherness," said Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent Steve Watkins."Vis unita fortior – united strength is stronger – is our motto, and today we proved exactly that by coming together and being record breakers."He congratulated all those who took part and said they had done the city Lyn Sharpe, Stoke-on-Trent City Council's centenary champion, added: "You're record breakers, ducks."I'm so proud that the city I love came together to celebrate our centenary by smashing an official world record."What a way to mark 100 years of Stoke-on-Trent." Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Centenary festival to celebrate Stoke-on-Trent's heritage
A heritage festival shining a light on Stoke-on-Trent's past, present and future will be held over the next nine months to celebrate the city's centenary.A ceramic symposium and a Northern Soul exhibition will be among the 17 events and projects taking place until March 2026, Stoke-on-Trent City Council the Stoke-on-Trent: Heritage Festival for the Centenary, the celebration was organised after a successful bid for £186,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Lyn Sharpe, the city council's heritage champion, said the festival would provide "something for everyone". "Anyone who knows me knows I love Stoke-on-Trent - so it's great to be able to celebrate our heritage during our centenary year and beyond," she projects and events include:A two-day Ceramic Symposium curated by Prof Neil Brownsword and Dr Alasdair Brooks of Re-Form Heritage at Jubilee HallA photographic exhibition showcasing the city and its people over the last century with a series of historical walking tours at Stoke MinsterAn audio documentary exhibition at Stoke-on-Trent Railway Station highlighting the city's role in the Northern Soul movementThe development of new family-friendly workshops at Ford Green HallFurther information about future events and projects would be released in the coming months, the city council said.A number of events have been held in Stoke-on-Trent to celebrate 100 years since it was granted city status by King George V in recognition of its contribution to the pottery industry. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
New brew for Stoke-on-Trent's 100th anniversary celebrations
New brew for city's 100th anniversary celebrations Just now Share Save Richard Price BBC News, West Midlands Share Save Stoke-on-Trent City Council Lord Mayor Lyn Sharpe helped unveil the new brew which celebrates 100 years of Stoke-on-Trent A 40-year-old brewery in Stoke-on-Trent is preparing a special ale to help mark to the city's centenary. Titanic Brewery, based in Burslem, teamed up with the city council to produce the limited edition beer which will be available in bottles, cans and on cask in pubs across the county. Labels and pump clips for Century Anniversary Ale are set to feature the bottle kilns, which the city's skyline is famous for. A portion of the proceeds from each sale will go to the Titanic Brewery Foundation, which supports charities across the region. The celebrations mark 100 years since Stoke-on-Trent obtained city status from King George V in 1925, as the monarch recognised the area's contribution to the pottery industry. Events and activities planned to mark the anniversary include a parade, tea party, hunt to find 100 stories and a giant oatcake card. Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent Lyn Sharpe, who was named Campaign for Real Ale's (Camra) national campaigner of the year in 2017, used to work at Titanic Brewery as a tour guide. "Visitors loved learning about what happens to some simple ingredients in a brewery and how they're turned into a beautiful pint of beer for you to enjoy in your local pub," she said. Stoke-on-Trent City Council Lyn Sharpe was formerly a tour guide at Titanic Brewery Ms Sharpe added: "Stoke-on-Trent's brewing heritage has played a proud role in our first 100 years, and this ale is a fantastic way to toast our centenary. "The designs on the pump clips mean that pub goers across the region will learn about our centenary and be able to raise a glass to this historic year." The initial brewing process took about a day to complete, and involved bringing together the four key ingredients of beer - water, hops, malted barley and yeast. The yeast then fermented the liquid over several days. David Glenwright, from Titanic Brewing, said: "We are genuinely honoured to be working with the city council to produce this commemorative ale, celebrating both the city's centenary, and our own 40th anniversary." He said the centenary was a "momentous occasion" and they were excited to toast this "incredible city and its people". Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Gladstone Pottery Museum celebrates 50th anniversary
A museum dedicated to pottery is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its official Pottery Museum in the village of Longton in Stoke-on-Trent attracts thousands of visitors every year, and it is where Channel 4's popular Great Pottery Throw Down is filmed.A pottery factory first opened on the site in 1787, but the bottle kilns were fired for the last time in 1960, and the site was put up for sale. The Grade II* listed building was eventually opened as a museum on 24 April 1975 by Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester. The city council took ownership in 1989. Gladstone's golden anniversary was marked with a special event on Thursday. The Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Councillor Lyn Sharpe, and Kelvin the Kiln, the city's centenary mascot, met the staff and volunteers who give the many visitors a warm said: "We built this city on the hugely successful and traditional ceramics industry. It's what gained us city status in the first place, so I'm incredibly proud to be able to celebrate 50 years of honouring that heritage at Gladstone."The fabulous staff and volunteers really bring the story of the city I love to life. "They've done an amazing job over the last 50 years of showcasing the skills and creativity that mean our local industry is known throughout the world." One volunteer, Paul Niblett, has worked tirelessly at Gladstone since 1971 – even meeting his wife, Kathy, in a bottle kiln at the Niblett said: "When we're open, I like the opportunity of saying hello to our visitors, particularly to express thanks for coming. "I recently chatted to folks from Crewe, Huddersfield and Preston. A couple of weeks ago, my chats included people from Australia and America."There is no doubt that the museum is a magnet for people wanting to learn more about our internationally renowned ceramics industry, whether they be schoolchildren, college students, heritage enthusiasts or addicts of well-known TV programmes. Everyone is welcome."And he added: "Sadly, I've lost a number of stalwart comrades over the years, but I always remember them, especially when we're greasing a throwing wheel, emptying a slip ark or splicing a drive rope. "They have all contributed to the extraordinary success of Gladstone Pottery Museum." Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Stoke-on-Trent plans cream tea world record attempt
A city-wide cream tea party is being planned for a world record attempt to mark Stoke-on-Trent's 100th aim is to gather the largest number of people taking part in a simultaneous cream tea party across multiple venues - from garden gatherings and office events to street parties and family are being asked to organise simultaneous events at 11:00 BST on 8 current record is held by Yorkshire Building Society, secured in 2015 with 667 members of staff taking part across six different sites. "Stoke-on-Trent is a brilliant city, and this feels a perfect way to honour the city's 100-year celebrations and bring communities together," said Nicky Twemlow from YMCA North Staffordshire, which is one of the organisations that has signed up to take part. Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent Lyn Sharpe said the city's tea sets were famous all around the world, and that she could not think of a better way for Stokies to get together."I can't wait to sit down, enjoy a friendly chat with others and tuck into a tasty cream tea," she said."Many organisations are working behind the scenes to make this special event attempt happen as part of our centenary year celebrations. I'd like to thank them for pulling it all together."The event is also being supported by Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, the Community Foundation for Staffordshire, Made in Stoke, Stoke-on-Trent College, VAST, and Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Ambassador Theatre Group. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
