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Stoke-on-Trent might be a smaller city, but it is home to some of the finest inventions and well-known celebrities. If you have recently moved into our student accommodation in Stoke-on-Trent keep an eye out for information on some of the fabulous things that have come out of the city!
Robbie Williams
The former Take That star hales from Stoke-on-Trent. Woth 75 million solo recod sales worldwide it’s no wonder her has the Freedom of the City of Stoke-on-Trent in 2014. The Red Lion pub in Burslem, which was run by Robbie’s parents can still be seen but, at time of writing, is currently abandoned.
Other famous celebrities from the area include former radio one DJ Bruno Brookes, TV presenters Anthea Turner and Nick Hancock, actress Rachel Shenton, who won an Academy Award for her short film The Silent Child, and actors Hugh Dancy, Neil Morrissey and Adrian Rawlins who played James Potter in the Harry Potter films.
Ceramic Industry
Since the 17th century, Stoke-on-Trent has been almost exclusively known for its industrial-scale pottery manufacturing which has affectionately caused the area to be nicknamed ‘The Potteries’, Companies such as Royal Doulton, Dudson, Spode, Wedgwood, Minton and Emma Bridgewater, to name a few, either started or continue to trade from Stoke-on-Trent.
The statue of the famous potter, Josiah Wedgewood, was built in 1862 and currently stands between Stoke-on-Trent station and the North Stafford hotel.
Oatcakes
Staffordshire Oatcakes, not to be confused with the dry hard Scottish kind, are soft, wholemeal type pancakes usually served hot with foods like sausage, bacon, mushrooms and cheese wrapped up inside. It’s a local speciality to Stoke-on-Trent and surrounding areas. They are said to be the perfect hangover cure!
There are lots of Oatcake shops selling them or you can buy them in supermarkets to take home and cook yourself (check out our recipe here). This one is something you have to try whilst you are in the city!
Rave culture
Stoke-on-Trent is known as the heart of UK rave culture and the birthplace of acid house. In the early 1990s Shelleys Laserdome was the epicentre of all-nighters with DJ sets from the likes of Sasha and Carl Cox – people that would go on to be mainstays in places like Ibiza. Folks from across the Midlands and North West were making the pilgrimage to Longton for their nights out.
The club’s final night was Thursday 12 September 1992 and the building was demolished for the A50 upgrades.
The Spitfire aeroplane
Reginald Joseph Mitchell, was the pioneering designer behind the Spitfire aircraft one of the best-known fighters of World War II. Capable of top speeds of 440 miles (710 km) per hour and ceilings of 40,000 feet (12,200 metres), Spitfires were used to shoot down V-1 “buzz bombs.”
The Spitfire first saw action over foreign soil at the evacuation at Dunkirk in 1940. You can see a statue dedicated to Reginald Mitchell outside the Potteries Museum,
The Titanic
Edward John Smith was born in Hanley and was the fateful captain of the ill-fated liner, The Titanic. At that time she was the largest liner in the world and cost cost £1.5 million to build. The Titanic sank on 14-15 April 1912 its maiden voyage after striking an iceberg in the North Atlantic.
Around 2,200 people were on board when the Titanic sank, between 1,490 and 1,635 of these people died as the ship sank, including the Captain.
The Witch of Burslem
It is believed that Molly Leigh was an accomplished herbalist/medicine woman from around 1685. This practice, along with the fact that she was supposedly very ugly, would at the time have given fuel to witch stories. Her strangely-shaped grave and tombstone can still be seen to this day in St John’s churchyard.
The legend is that if, at Halloween, you dance around her grave and sing “Molly Leigh, Molly Leigh, you can’t catch me” her apparition will appear – but would you dare?
Alton Towers
The Alton Towers Resort is 10 miles (16 km) east of Stoke-on-Trent and is one of the United Kingdom’s best known attractions. At present it is the largest theme park in the UK. The park is operated by Merlin Entertainments Group and incorporates a theme park, water park, mini golf and hotel complex.
First opened as a theme park in 1980, Alton Towers Resort has delivered over 1 billion rides to thrill-seeking guests throughout its 37 year history.
We hope you enjoyed our facts about Stoke-on-Trent – how many did you know?
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