Paul Williams
@paulwilliams207.bsky.social
Academic with a passion for culture, crafts, heritage, tourism, football and all things place. Also potty about ceramics and plate-turning to check out backstamps!
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum 💙
Paul Daniel Williams is a British general practitioner (GP) and former Labour Party politician, who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Stockton South from 2017 to 2019, when he lost his seat to the Conservative candidate Matt Vickers in the 2019 general election. In May 2021, Williams stood as the Labour Party candidate in the 2021 Hartlepool by-election but lost to the Conservative candidate Jill Mortimer. .. more
Political science
43%
Psychology
24%
Pinned
‘Culture, like God and politics is everywhere.’
A montage of articles where craft-inspired culture and creativity is the golden thread that I’ve enjoyed sharing throughout the year.
Here’s to another ‘winning with culture’ year in 2025 as our World Craft City celebrates its #SoT100 centenary.
A montage of articles where craft-inspired culture and creativity is the golden thread that I’ve enjoyed sharing throughout the year.
Here’s to another ‘winning with culture’ year in 2025 as our World Craft City celebrates its #SoT100 centenary.
Despite Arnold Machin’s lasting legacy, the intriguing story of how a young Trentham school teacher became the ‘Queen for a day’ without knowing it and came to be featured on the most iconic, reproduced image of all time has been rarely told.
Stoke me up: my potty pilgrimage to Britain’s ceramic capital - Plaster Magazine
From kitschy delights to celeb ceramics, Verity Babbs goes all-in on Stoke-on-Trent's quirky pottery scene
plastermagazine.com
A superb kiln-side review of a pilgrimage to Britain’s ceramic capital.
‘I keep coming back to the memory of the 100 Years, 100 Faces celebration. Stoke-on-Trent does pride right; if only we could adopt this on a national scale.’
‘I keep coming back to the memory of the 100 Years, 100 Faces celebration. Stoke-on-Trent does pride right; if only we could adopt this on a national scale.’
My latest column focuses on the unveiling of the #100Years100Faces centenary mural and why its most enduring legacy will be how it can inspire the next generation of young place-makers to pick up the baton and shape the next chapter in Stoke-on-Trent’s illustrious place story.
An accessible, aesthetic work of art, the #100Years100Faces mural is a living to tribute to the inspirational individuals who have left their mark on our world craft city.
The publicly nominated people depicted will provide a hundred conversation themes and serve as an enduring #SoT100 legacy.
The publicly nominated people depicted will provide a hundred conversation themes and serve as an enduring #SoT100 legacy.
As those who attended the unveiling event heard, the #100Years100Faces mural showcases our unique city as ‘a history of heartbeats knitted together with theatre tickets, penalty shootouts, helping hands, and smiling kilns.’
An accessible, aesthetic work of art, the #100Years100Faces mural is a living to tribute to the inspirational individuals who have left their mark on our world craft city.
The publicly nominated people depicted will provide a hundred conversation themes and serve as an enduring #SoT100 legacy.
The publicly nominated people depicted will provide a hundred conversation themes and serve as an enduring #SoT100 legacy.
University of Staffordshire VC, Prof Martin Jones: “It was Thornhill’s wish that the collection be used for educational purposes and partnering with the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery will allows us do that by making it more accessible to both scholars and the public.”
University of Staffordshire to loan rare ceramics to city museum
The Thornhill Collection of ceramics was bequeathed to the University of Staffordshire in 1944.
www.bbc.co.uk
“The opportunities for cultural exchange and research collaboration will also strengthen Stoke-on-Trent’s position as an international centre for ceramic excellence - supporting the world craft city agenda and Stoke-on-Trent’s ambitions to achieve UNESCO creative city status.”
University of Staffordshire to loan rare ceramics to city museum
The Thornhill Collection of ceramics was bequeathed to the University of Staffordshire in 1944.
www.bbc.co.uk
University of Staffordshire VC, Prof Martin Jones: “It was Thornhill’s wish that the collection be used for educational purposes and partnering with the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery will allows us do that by making it more accessible to both scholars and the public.”
Comedian Johnny Vegas 'proud' artwork on display in Stoke-on-Trent
The comedian's work is on display at the British Ceramics Biennial at Spode Works.
www.bbc.co.uk
Johnny Vegas: “There’s so much space in ceramics for everything, for exploration, and it’s a skill set that we just cannot afford to key go of.
“It’s great to celebrate it but the celebration had to continue once the (British Ceramics Biennial) festival ends.”
“It’s great to celebrate it but the celebration had to continue once the (British Ceramics Biennial) festival ends.”
Reposted by Paul Williams
City of Fire and Beautiful Bricks’
Exhibition at The Glosthouse, Longton. Stoke-On-Trent.
www.theglosthouse.co.uk
An ongoing exhibition of Works both new, and never before exhibited. Painting : Drawing : Collage.
Poetry : @minxyowlwriter.bsky.social
#Stoke100 #SoT100
Exhibition at The Glosthouse, Longton. Stoke-On-Trent.
www.theglosthouse.co.uk
An ongoing exhibition of Works both new, and never before exhibited. Painting : Drawing : Collage.
Poetry : @minxyowlwriter.bsky.social
#Stoke100 #SoT100
Hopefully you can enjoy the Biennial vicariously through the many pictures that will be posted by visitors to the festival. Hope it’s a good day health wise.
Stoke-on-Trent prepares for British Ceramics Biennial 2025
More than 70 artists are taking part in the event, described as the largest of its kind in the UK.
www.bbc.co.uk
A celebration of clay, craftsmanship, skill & artistry in a city that has clay deeply embedded in its identity.
Clare Wood: “Through British Ceramics Biennial we are maintaining national and international interest in Stoke-on-Trent and its ceramics.”
Clare Wood: “Through British Ceramics Biennial we are maintaining national and international interest in Stoke-on-Trent and its ceramics.”
British Ceramics Biennial builds on pottery heritage - Museums Association
The event, which runs from 6 September to 19 October, coincides with Stoke's centenary year
www.museumsassociation.org
‘As well as the Biennial which has been running since 2009, the Staffordshire city is celebrating its centenary in 2005. And it is just over a year since Stoke-on-Trent was awarded World Craft City status, which is recognition of its global importance as a centre for pottery production.’
Johnny Vegas creates artwork for Stoke-on-Trent ceramics showcase
The comedian captures people's hugs in clay for an installation at the British Ceramics Biennial.
www.bbc.co.uk
Just Be There, a collaborative artwork crafted by Johnny Vegas, described as ‘an avenue of hugs captured in clay’ to be showcased at the forthcoming British Ceramics Biennial in Stoke-on-Trent.
Stunning. Saw these earlier. A fantastic curated garden.
Yes, not far from where I was born. Also a great beach at Ainsdale where Red Rum was often trained.
Yes, not far from where I was born. Also a great beach at Ainsdale where Red Rum was often trained.
And just like the Potteries’ backstamps, that wonderful first creative incursion became your indelible mark of quality!
Reposted by Paul Williams
Ian R. Pearsall
@ianrpearsall.bsky.social
· Aug 29
You're a gentleman, Paul - thank you very kindly indeed..
My very first creative incursion into Stoke-On-Trent.
My very first creative incursion into Stoke-On-Trent.
Bottle Oven Day is a chance to share the Magnificent 47 again!
@ianrpearsall.bsky.social
@ianrpearsall.bsky.social
Priestley continued: ‘unless you are prepared to take a deep and lasting interest on what happens inside those ovens, it would be better for you to take the first train anywhere’.
Bottle ovens featured prominently in our application to become a designated World Craft City.
Bottle ovens featured prominently in our application to become a designated World Craft City.
It’s August 29th. It’s Potteries Bottle Oven Day. And it’s the day to recall how J. B. Priestley on his English journey in 1933 proclaimed: ‘the pottery kilns and ovens ... without these great bottles of heat, there would be no Potteries. They represent the very heart and soul of the district.’
Our small but mighty city’s unique identity, global renown as a centre of ceramics excellence, creative ecosystem, entrepreneurial endeavours, and acclaimed universities’ research impacts means Stoke-on-Trent punches above its soft power weight.
Stoke-on-Trent theatre company 'delighted' as home secured
Claybody Theatre agrees a lease to remain at its current home in Stoke-on-Trent for 15 years.
www.bbc.co.uk
Delighted to hear Claybody Theatre will continue to be based at The Dipping House on the former Spode pottery site. Looking forward to seeing many more place-based productions ‘shaped from the unique cultural heritage and contemporary lives of the people of Stoke-on-Trent & North Staffordshire.’
Artist 'excited' to take part in Three Counties art exhibition
The free exhibition runs at Fenton Town Hall until 30 August.
www.bbc.co.uk
The Arts Keele Three Counties Open Art Exhibition at Fenton Town Hall has a “real mix” of art on display, from paintings, to photography and a motorbike installation.
@amigonidavid.bsky.social
@amigonidavid.bsky.social
As the Ceramics (Country of Origin Marking) Bill continues to progress through the House of Commons it’s worth reiterating that Rishi Sunak also enjoyed a brew in a made in Stoke-on-Trent #EmmaBridgewater mug with the previous US President Joe Biden in the Downing Street gardens.
Reposted by Paul Williams
Why universities are hiring more chief marketing officers – even as budgets shrink
More and more universities are bringing in corporate-style marketing chiefs. New research shows what they’re gaining – and where the returns fall flat.
buff.ly
Universities are adding chief marketing officers to their leadership teams, even as budgets shrink.
Research shows investing in a CM boosts enrollment by 1.6% on average, but their impact on endowments is less clear. A professor who researches leadership structures explains:
Research shows investing in a CM boosts enrollment by 1.6% on average, but their impact on endowments is less clear. A professor who researches leadership structures explains:
Made in Stoke-on-Trent pottery was showcased to a global audience as Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy enjoyed a brew from Emma Bridgewater mugs.
Emma Bridgewater centre stage at Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelenskyy meeting
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were pictured enjoying a brew from Emma Bridgewater mugs today
www.stokesentinel.co.uk
Emma Bridgewater: ‘Stoke-on-Trent is steeped in so much history with regards to the pottery industry and we think that is something worth writing on every single piece of ware we produce.’
Emma Bridgewater centre stage at Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelenskyy meeting
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were pictured enjoying a brew from Emma Bridgewater mugs today
www.stokesentinel.co.uk
Made in Stoke-on-Trent pottery was showcased to a global audience as Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy enjoyed a brew from Emma Bridgewater mugs.
Lemmy’s birthplace in Stoke-on-Trent, like Shakespeare’s in Stratford is more than just a geographical marker; Burslem is like a nurturing, healing, rejuvenating, wellspring. We should revere and celebrate this place. It’s not what’s passed, it’s what’s next. Lemmy Forever.
Why Lemmy is to Stoke What Shakespeare is to Stratford-upon-Avon
Lemmy statue creator Andy Edwards argues Lemmy could supercharge Stoke’s tourism in the same way that Shakespeare draws visitors to his birthplace…
open.substack.com
Why Lemmy is to Stoke What Shakespeare is to Stratford-upon-Avon
open.substack.com/pub/theknotg...
open.substack.com/pub/theknotg...
Stoke-on-Trent's new multi-million-pound station gateway unveiled
The man steering the project to completion admits roadworks have been a problem for residents.
www.bbc.com
It’s wonderful to see the statue of the patron of Stoke-on-Trent’s greatness, Josiah Wedgwood, is one again proudly welcoming commuters emerging from the Jacobean-styled railway station.