The Six Towns
Of Stoke-on-Trent.
BURSLEM
Its ancient name meaning 'Burgweard's Elms,'Burslem was incorporated
in June 1878. Although not the first of the six towns to be
incorporated, Burslem was the largest town in the Potteries
for many of the early years and the first to develop with
the onset of the Industrial Revolution. So it become known
as 'The Mother Town of the Potteries'. Exciting things are
happening in Burslem in 2003. Ceramica is to open it's doors
at Easter 2003, 3 years late but it seems it is worth waiting
for. This was due to open for the millennium, but ran into
money troubles. Ceramica is a new and unique interactive experience
for all the family in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent. Ceramica
is housed in the impressive Victorian Old Town Hall in the
centre of Burslem. Children and adults alike can explore the
hands-on activities in Bizarreland, learning how clay is transformed
into china and the important part ceramics play in everyday
life. Find out how boatmen used to "leg" their narrowboats
through tunnels; delve into history with the Time Team; and
take a flying carpet ride over Burslem. Discover the past,
present and future of ceramics in the stunning interactive
displays in the Pavilions. The Ceramica shop offers gifts
and souvenirs, including pieces from many of the local pottery
companies, and a range of exclusive products available only
from Ceramica.
HANLEY
Hanley and Shelton were incorporated in 1857, becoming the
Borough of Hanley, a name which means 'place at the high clearing.'
John Ridgway became the first Mayor. His crest of a kneeling
dromedary was used in the Seal of the Borough of Hanley, and
now forms part of the Coat of Arms of The City of Stoke-on-Trent.
Hanley is now known as the City centre, so if you visit Stoke-on-Trent,
don't expect to go to Stoke if you get on a bus saying City
centre on the front. The main shopping centre, known as the
Potteries Shopping Centre is situated in Hanley.
LONGTON
In March, 1865. Longton and Lane End were incorporated as
the Borough of Longton ('long village'). Longton has it's
own shopping area known as the Strand, not very big but they
do have a pub that I can highly recommend, The Last Post,
good beer and good food.
STOKE
Stoke-upon-Trent, as distinct from the city, which is Stoke-on-Trent.
In practice, local people know the town of Stoke-upon-Trent
by the simpler and shorter name of Stoke. Wednesday is market
day in Stoke, but don't bother, it's hopeless.
The townships of Stoke, Penkhull and Boothen were incorporated
as the Borough of Stoke-upon-Trent in January, 1874. Notice
that the town is correctly called
FENTON & TUNSTALL
The towns of Fenton (`farm by a fen' ) and Tunstall ('site
of a farm') became Urban District Councils as late as 1894,
having had neither charters nor mayors. In fact, well-known
local author Arnold Bennett steadfastly refused to acknowledge
Fenton's status at all, naming one of his books 'Anna of the
Five Towns'! Although it is true that Fenton has no town centre
as such, it is definitely one of the six districts which constitute
the city of Stoke-on-Trent. If you blink you would miss Fenton.
Tunstall is a bit bigger than Longton and has a clock tower
as it's centre piece. The indoor market has just been restored
and is an impressive building.
