News blog

The Burslem Regeneration Trust's blog on news, current events, updates, and all things Burslem

20th December 2019 - The Burslem Neighbourhood Forum has been designated

Dear Richard,

Decision regarding the application to designate a Neighbourhood Forum and Neighbourhood Area for Burslem

In response to the above application to the City Council, I have pleasure in providing Notice that Stoke-on-Trent City Council has issued a decision to designate the Burslem Neighbourhood Forum and Neighbourhood Area.

This decision was made by the Director of Place, Growth & Prosperity under delegated authority from the City Council’s Cabinet, in pursuance of sections 61G and 61F of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended).

The reasons for the making the decision are as follows:

 The application submitted is valid

 The application was subject to a six week publicising period between Wednesday 4th September 2019 to Wednesday 16th October 2019. Six representations were received during this period. Five from statutory consultees which did not raise any matters that would affect the designation of the Neighbourhood Forum or Area, and one from a local ward councillor. In response to the concerns of the local ward councillor who wishes to be involved in the preparation of the Burslem Neighbourhood Plan, it is advised that the Burslem Neighbourhood Forum invite representatives and community groups from the Moorcroft Ward to ensure the group is representative of the whole of the neighbourhood plan area. The Local Planning Authority is satisfied that this has been done prior to designation.

 The application to designate the forum and area is considered to be appropriate for the purposes of preparing a Neighbourhood Plan.

 The application meets the criteria established in The Town and Country Planning Act 1990, The Localism Act 2011 and the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended). As required under the Neighbourhood planning (General) Regulations 2012 Part 2 Regulation 7 (1) and Regulation 10 (1), the following information will be made available on the Stoke-on-Trent City Council website:

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 The name of the neighbourhood area

 The map of the area and the name of the relevant body who applied for th  designation

 The name of the neighbourhood Forum

 A copy of the written constitution

 Contact details for at least one member of the neighbourhood forum.

The above information will also be made available at Burslem Local Centre. You may also wish to provide the above information in any other locations that you feel would bring the decision to the attention of people who live, work or carry on business in the area.

If you require any further information regarding the designation of the Neighbourhood Forum and Area, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Planning Policy Team on the details below.

Yours sincerely

Harmesh Jassal

Strategic Manager - Planning Services

Email Harmesh.jassal@stoke.gov.uk

Contact number 01782 236339

18th November 2019 - Victorian Potters' Mill 'In Steam' and operating

30th November and 1st December

1100 - 1600

Shirley’s 1857 Bone & Flint Mill

operating as in Victorian Times with the 1820s beam engine starting on the hour from 1300 to 1500.

Wander around and talk to our engineers or take a guided tour and learn about how English Bone China is made

Tea Room : Gift Shop : Toilets

Blacksmith demonstrations in the Forge

Historic canal boat on the Wharf

Take an autumn walk along the picturesque and interesting Trent & Mersey and Caldon canals

Entrance to the site Free.

Mill £4 per adult or £6 for a guided tour. Under 16 free when with a paying adult

Etruria Industrial Museum

Car Park and entrance: Etruria Vale Road,

Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 4RB

www.etruriamuseum.org.uk

Limited access to the Mill for those with mobility difficulties

28th August 2019 - Neighbourhood Forum for Burslem approved for consultation

The Burslem Neighbourhood Forum is a community-led organisation that works to make Burslem an even better place for people to live, work, visit and invest in.  We’re part of a powerful community-driven movement to put people at the centre of changes and developments in Burslem.

Our vision, which we are working on as we begin to document the Neighbourhood Plan, is to contribute to the renewal of heritage buildings, support existing and new businesses, seek investment in local infrastructure, promote world class education and lifelong learning, and ensuring the cultural opportunities and events within Burslem are nurtured and accessible to everyone.

Latest:

The Burslem Neighbourhood plan application has now been approved and signed off by Stoke-on-Trent City Council to commence consultation as set out in the regulations.

This initial consultation is to publicise the application in order that information regarding the constitution and area is available to bring the application to the attention of the Burslem community.  The council will produce a number of site notices to be displayed across the area and place information in a number of venues and on the council’s website, prepare the information and speak to the communications team.

The consultation starts W/C 26th August and runs to 4 October 2019 to ensure that as many people as possible have the opportunity to review and comment on the application.   A report will be made by council officers along with a recommendation regarding designation of the constitution and plan area.

Key dates:

October 2017: Neighbourhood forum drop-in events held at Burslem School of Art.  Supported by Urban Vision

October 2017 to November 2018: Engagement with local groups and community to build forum, draft plan area and document constitution. 

27/03/2018: First draft of forum constitution

26/11/2018: First draft of plan area

22/02/2019: Submission of plan area and constitution to SoT CC for approval

27/08/2019: Publication of plan area and constitution by SoT CC

TBC: Designation of plan area and constituion

TBC: Project activity to develop the plan for Burslem

Get involved

Local people will create the plan that allows us to develop planning policies that reflect the priorities of the Burslem area that will have real legal weight. The whole Burslem community then decides at a referendum vote whether the plan comes into force.  Please contact us if you live or work in the area and wish to contibute to the Neighbourhood Forum.  Additional members are always welcome.

12th July 2019 - Story Quest: Adventures close to home

Join Josh, Yasmin and Grandpa Matt as they hunt for treasure, meet local celebrities and travel back in time on Story Quests this summer!

Sign up online or in person at six local sign up points for a fun family activity exploring your local area!

Visit storyquest.org.uk or call 07849353729 to find out more, and be sure to share photos of you on your Story Quest using #StoryQuest – there are more prizes to be won! 

<more info and flyer>

22nd Feb 2019 - Father Hudson's care

Dear Fellow Burslem supporters

This link is for a new initiative connected to Root n Fruit.

It is being run by Father Hudson without any religious connotations and is aimed at males of 55 and above, as according to their research there is little support/groups for this combined age group & gender.

See here for more info

 

15th January 2019 - Public Consultation to regenerate former Royal Doulton Works

St.Modwen Homes have invited local residents to come along and discuss the emerging proposals for a new residential development to transform and regenerate the former Royal Doulton Works.

6-8pm 22nd Jan 2019

George Hotel, Swan Square, Burslem, ST6 2AE

<Stoke Sentinel Report>

Letter to Burslem Regeneration Trust below:

28th December 2018 - Eco Burslem Flyer

Click on the image below to open our Flyer for the Eco Burslem initative.

How can you make your business more sustainable? - <see here for more info>

22nd November 2018 - Regeneration of old Burslem canal

There is to be a free meeting this Saturday morning at which all Middleport residents will be welcome to hear about the exciting plans for the first step in the physical regeneration of the old Burslem Canal. A new canalside footpath along the old canal line is to be created by the Burslem Port team of volunteers and residents can learn about these exciting plans this Saturday at Middleport Pottery starting at 10.30. All are welcome.

5th November 2018 - Eco Burslem

What is it?

Eco Burslem is an initiative developed by Burslem Regeneration Trust and partner organisations. We aim to bring about positive change to the Burslem area, create interest and good press, and overall make it a great place to live, work and visit.

Climate change, plastic pollution, polluted waterways, deforestation… we all know about it, but how can we help? Whilst the government and larger businesses do need to act fast to help solve these issues, the influence of small businesses in the UK is substantial. In fact, SMEs (small to medium-sized enterprises) account for 99.9% of all private sector businesses and 51% of all private sector turnover.

We believe that in encouraging Burslem businesses to address the issue of environmental sustainability, we can become business and community leaders and attract positive attention to the town. Not only that, implementing sustainable practices within your business could actually help it to grow and reduce your operating costs.

How can you make your business more sustainable? - <see here for more info>

18th October 2018 - National Lottery grant to restore former pottery workers' houses

United Kingdom Historic Building Preservation Trust (UKHBPT), the charity which restored and now operates Middleport Pottery, has been awarded a £974,500 National Lottery grant, awarded via the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), to restore and renovate a row of former pottery workers’ houses adjacent to the popular visitor attraction.

HLF will support the repair and renovation of the 11 red-brick Harper Street terrace houses which sit within the Trent and Mersey Canal Conservation Area. The Harper Street: Engagement in Heritage project will include seven new workshop spaces for creative businesses, an accessible archive and community centre.   

The plans include a new heritage experience for visitors. The former ‘lodge-keepers’ cottage, the terrace nearest the factory’s historic entrance, will build upon Middleport Pottery’s heritage trail and retell the social history of a 1930’s family, living and working in the heart of ‘The Potteries’. The project also enables cataloguing and digitisation work to be undertaken on Middleport Pottery's superb collection. The Collection comprises over a thousand pieces of Burleigh ware alongside nearly 150 years' worth of archival documents, pattern books and correspondence relating to Burgess & Leigh and the Middleport Pottery site. Training and support for new staff, volunteers and students will enable them to work with the collection, making it accessible to the public for the first time, from a new archive space on the first floor of Harper Street.

The local Middleport and wider community will benefit from a self-contained community hub. Managed by local action group, ‘Middleport Matters’, the hub will provide a safe and easily accessible space for regular community events, homework clubs, baby and toddler groups, plus educational and recreational activities.

Aiming to commence works in 2019, the charity still needs to fundraise £245,000 to fully realise the project’s £1.7m renovation costs. Clare Wood, Director, UKHBPT said, “The charity is delighted to have been awarded this significant contribution. The announcement is the result of years of development and planning from numerous stakeholders, all of whom are dedicated in realising what will be a huge asset for the area and a tremendous improvement in access to ceramic heritage. We are conscious that Lottery funds are under great pressure, which makes this major investment from the National Lottery all the more meaningful. The £974,500 grant also attracts and secures investment from other private funders, which, in combination, make this project possible. At Middleport Pottery, we have seen how a mixed-use approach, the bringing together of business, community and the visitor economy is a highly sustainable model, one which helps to maintain, share and celebrate these heritage assets for the benefit of everyone; and in doing so, preserves the area’s unique identity for generations to come”.

Sir Peter Luff, HLF's Chair, said: "They may look like a row of humble Victorian terraced houses but Harper Street represents an exceptionally important piece of our social history. At risk of being lost, this project will ensure their survival and enable the story of Middleport Pottery, Stoke-on-Trent and the UK's industrial heritage and global prominence to be told fully."

Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Deputy Leader Abi Brown said, “This funding is fantastic news and continues the success story of Middleport's heritage-led regeneration. It builds on the sensitively restored properties in Port Street and Burgess Street, and the incredibly successful Poppies: Weeping Window sculpture which brought 110,000 visitors to Middleport Pottery and the surrounding area over the summer.

The funding success is a great example of how partners have come together to lead a scheme that is focused on the community and will support local residents."

Amelia Bilson, Executive Director, Middleport Matters adds, “I am absolutely thrilled that this latest bid has been successful and that we are one step closer to seeing Harper Street brought back to life.  It will not only bring the derelict properties back into use, it will also restore and celebrate the heritage of the area, help to rebuild our community spirit and provide a much-needed community space to bring local people together.”

FourMarkers at No. 5 is one of the small businesses based at the Pottery. Its owner Libby Ward set up the business four years ago after leaving Staffordshire University. She adds, “It’s really important for us to be at Middleport as makers, we add another string to the bow. People visit from all over the world – they come into our workshops to see what we do, they’re always fascinated by the skills on show. Harper Street can only add to this, further developing our creative community and creating places where people want to visit”.

 

UKHBPT welcomes donations from individuals or organisations who can help support the Harper Street project. Donations can be made online at, ukhbpt.org/harper-street/support. For major donors or corporate giving please contact Clare Wood, UKHBPT Director on 01782 499766.

16th October 2018 - Red Routes Consultation

The red routes consultation is being held TODAY at Swan Bank Methodist Church in Swan Square. Foe those who want to look at the council website, here is a link www.stoke.gov.uk/redroutes . For any telephone enquiries please call 01782 232987.  The red routes are intended to improve traffic flow throughout the city by introducing no stopping at any time areas. The routes will extend through Burslem so if you want to have a say in the process and can make the consultation today we would urge you to attend.

Find below some thoughts of other local contributors to the debate on the red routes proposed by the city council. These are not necessarily Burslem Regeneration Trust’s nor the neighbourhood plan group’s views but in the interests of stimulating an appropriate debate / response to the council it seems relevant to let people see the type of issues being raised. We hope they serve to raise awareness of some of the real / perceived issues.

Ill-thought, stand-alone red routes could easily finish off Burslem as a shopping centre, as a place for business, a social and community hub, and a visitor destination.

The assessment of what benefit - or otherwise - might come from the introduction of red routes has to be based on a holistic view of the town centre and the local community which engages with it. It's about the prosperity of the whole town and its people.

The assessment has to take account of both 'hard' and 'soft' issues, as our town is a fragile mix of so many strands, still just about holding together. The impact study should be people-focused as much as on the perceived traffic issues.

The experience of traders and businesses in other cities such as Birmingham has shown that there is often too much emphasis on implementing red routes at the expense of viewing the wider picture. This can often mean smaller, locally owned independent businesses are disproportionately disadvantaged, especially compared to large chains who rely on free parking facilities.

We accept the need for parking regulation and enforcement, and of course we understand that reducing congestion can reduce pollution. However the expression 'using a sledgehammer to crack a nut' comes to mind - we have a duty to protect the needs of town centre traders and businesses, including the hospitality industry: we believe in protecting and developing the vitality of our town for our people to enjoy and to celebrate.

Thoughts so far:

 

1. It's the people who make the place, cars don't make a place

2. For the local community, Burslem is their community, their town, their central focus, it's not simply about roads from A-B which happen to pass through Burslem - the integrity of the historic town centre itself is important

3. The town is a cultural hub, a place that supports the notion of 'being' for many proud locals, it supports livelihoods, it supports history and heritage

4. Have all the parking regulations and charges in the town been examined in tandem with the red route proposals? Burslem's pay and display parking regime dates back to the days when stricter control was necessary because the town was so busy. It's probably 30 or 40 years old. Burslem today isn't the shopping destination of old, so parking arrangements need to be reviewed as part of the proposed red routes package to meet the needs of the town today, and this has to be done parallel to the red route proposals

5. What alternative arrangements will be offered to encourage footfall in the town? What measures will be introduced to improve the welcome Burslem can offer its visitors?

6. Burslem is desperately short of parking facilities in the town centre, so what thought has been put into improving the provision, the signage?

7. Will time-limited free parking be made available? Time-limited up to 30 minute bays would let people know they are welcome in our town, so has this been looked at eg in Queen Street and perhaps some in Market Place?

8. How would red routes affect the proposed new Burslem Market?

9. How would red routes impact on the town's thriving festivals, Christmas lights switch-on, and events?

10. What impact studies have been done on the business and retail sectors in the town to support the introduction of red routes?Small businesses need to be able to drop off and load outside their premises, and they need shoppers to feel able to use the local shops and facilities - red routes explicitly prevent this  

11. Have other improvements been considered? Eg the right and left turns safety issue in the middle of the town at the junction of Moorland Rd and Market Place; the lack of effective road/lane markings at the bottom of Moorland Road heading to the lights [improved lane demarcation here would make a huge impact on improving southbound traffic flow at the Moorland Rd/Market Place/Waterloo Rd lights junction - it is blinding obvious]

12. Burlsem has a thriving night time economy - how would red routes impact on dropping off and picking up? If the night time economy was damaged, Burslem really could be sunk

13. What about dropping off and picking up for older people and families? You don't have to be disabled and a blue badge holder to need to be able to stop in the town centre to go about your business eg call into the post office

9th October 2018 - Commission opportunity for North Staffordshire-based artists

Open Call: Commission opportunity for North Staffordshire-based artists with Appetite, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, the Cultural Forum and Stoke-on-Trent Cultural Champions

For information: For this commission we’ll consider applications from artists from Stoke-on-Trent, North Staffordshire and the wider city region as reflected by the ambitions of the UK City of Culture bid.

Overview

Appetite, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, the Cultural Forum and the Cultural Champions are looking to commission North Staffordshire-based artist(s) to create new artworks for an event in January 2019.

Appetite was asked by Arts Council England to propose an event as a legacy of Stoke-on-Trent’s UK City of Culture bid. Our partners Stoke-on-Trent City Council suggested a Light Night-style event in Burslem. Appetite successfully bid for this and are now working to deliver an ambitious event which aim to remind local people and stakeholders that art and culture are powerful tools in keeping our city ‘on the up’. Our ambition is that this event becomes a highlight in the city’s cultural calendar for future years.

The light event will feature a programme of local, national and international work, including some of the most highly regarded international artworks of this kind. Some will be newly commissioned for this event, creating an experience that will shine a light on Stoke-on-Trent and our unique selling points.

This open call provides an opportunity for the project and partners to create new work, and will sit alongside a presented programme of work by artists who have a proven track record in this medium.

The event will be a celebration of the time of year, marking the transition from dark winter months to the optimism of the light of spring and summer.

Audiences

For us, the most important part of an event is the audience experience. The ambition of this event is to reach as many people as possible within the city to encourage civic pride and reinvigorate local

belief in arts and culture following Stoke-on-Trent’s UK City of Culture bid. Audiences will feel a part of the event whether through attendance or participation.

The project will encourage cultural tourism to the area, creating an event that audiences from outside of the city will find interesting, relevant and inspiring.

Location

The event will take place in Burslem in Stoke-on-Trent. The event will focus on the town centre, allowing audiences to access the artworks on foot. Key areas for the event will be the square by Burslem Town Hall/Haywood Academy, Swan Square and Queen Street.

We are considering projects that take place indoors (depending on accessibility) and outdoors.

Dates

The event will take place over two or three days (to be confirmed) from Thursday 31 January to Saturday 2 February 2019.

Any development or engagement work must take place in advance of the event dates.

What we are looking for:

We are looking for artist(s) who live and/or work in North Staffordshire to explore, develop and deliver new artworks for the programme.

North Staffordshire is an area of England, consisting of the Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire Moorlands local authority areas. We will also consider applications from the wider city region subject to the discretion of the panel members.

The Brief

We want to see applications that demonstrate exciting, ambitious ideas by artists which use the medium of light.

If you are an artist who likes to work to a more defined brief, from our discussions with the Cultural Champions we’d also be interested in ideas that explore the following strands of enquiry:

• Past & Future: explore the changing face of the city with a balance of history and future

• Explore the possibilities of light e.g. light and dark; light and positivity; light and heavy

• Environmental explorations of light or artworks that relate to the environment

We are interested to hear from artists from all artforms and where light has not been your primary medium. If creating artworks involving light for the first time, we will expect you to demonstrate how you will find the knowledge and expertise required.

We are interested to hear from all artists, whether or not you are known to us or our partners.

Applications for the commissions will be shortlisted by the Appetite team and the Cultural Champions. If invited to interview, panel members will include the Appetite team, Cultural Champions, Paul Bailey (Stoke-on-Trent City Council Culture Manager) and a member of Appetite’s Supper Club.

If you are an artist from outside of North Staffordshire but have artworks or projects that you would like to bring to our attention for future programmes we would be interested to hear from you on askus@appetitestoke.co.uk.

Skills and Attributes:

Essential:

• Experience of creating high quality artworks

• Experience of devising new high-quality work from original ideas

• Experience of problem solving and improvisation

• Demonstrable knowledge of local context and its relationship to the city’s heritage

• Time and Budget Management: ability to deliver on time and within budget

• Strong communication skills and ability to motivate others and produce high quality results

• Experience of collaboration

• If you are an arts organisation, please demonstrate who in your organisation will deliver the work

Desirable:

• An understanding of what the UK City of Culture bid meant for Stoke-on-Trent and the wider city region and the importance of its legacy.

Timeframe:

Deadline for applications: 29 October 2018, 12pm

Shortlisting by partners: 1 or 2 November 2018

Interviews: w/c 5 November 2018

Confirmation of artists: 9 November 2018

Delivery Timeframe: 12 November 2018 – The Event

The Event: 31 January – 2 February 2019 (the contract will include the de-rig of your installation following the event and a debrief with Appetite).

Fee:

The current fund for new commissions by North Staffordshire artists is £10,000. We are looking for applications up to £10k, however we do hope to commission more than one project from the current fund. Your application should include a budget which includes your artist fees, production and presentation costs of the artwork. Reasonable costs for security, stewards and other general event infrastructure will be covered in the main event budget.

We are looking to secure match funding for the event. In this case, we will increase the commission fund accordingly.

How to Apply:

Please send an application consisting of the following:

1. C.V. detailing your experience

2. Examples of your work (links, images, film etc.)

3. A statement that outlines how you fulfil the skills and attributes in the brief and how you will make use of Stoke-on-Trent’s unique selling points (max 500 words)

4. A proposal of the artwork you hope to produce and present (max 1000 words)

5. If light is a new medium, an outline of how you will find the knowledge needed (max 300 words)

6. A budget - with a comprehensive breakdown of how you will spend the funding

7. Proof of Public Liability Insurance - we require all artists and contractors to have a minimum of £5m

Please send this application entitled ‘Light Open Call’ to askus@appetitestoke.co.uk by 12pm on Monday 29 October 2018. You will receive an email notification to acknowledge receipt of your application.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview taking place week commencing 5 November. 

If you wish to find out more about this opportunity, please contact askus@appetitestoke.co.uk or call 01782 381373.

About Appetite

Appetite is an artistic programme that aims to get more people in Stoke-on-Trent to experience and be inspired by the arts. Appetite is part of the Creative People and Places programme, initiated and funded by Arts Council England. Creative People and Places is about more people taking the lead in choosing, creating and taking part in art experiences in the places where they live.

Appetite aims to build an appetite for the arts in the city by putting on quality, family-friendly events in public spaces and placing people at the heart of what we do so they can take part and shape arts activity in Stoke-on-Trent. Find out more: www.appetitestoke.co.uk

About the Cultural Forum

The Cultural Forum was developed as part of the Stoke-on-Trent bid to be UK City of Culture. It is hoped with the emergence of the new Cultural Strategy for Stoke-on-Trent that the Cultural Forum will be the central mechanism whereby stakeholders, organisations and individual artists can come together to develop a strong and unified partnership, building a new relationship with the city as a whole.

Membership will involve those organisations that support and enable cultural activity but the partnership itself will be independent of public bodies. It will assume responsibility for sharing best practice and insight, delivering a professional development programme for the city’s artists and taking collective responsibility for the bidding for and commissioning of large scale and international works.

The Cultural Forum will provide opportunities for organisations and individual artists to move from amateur to professional and will ensure that it is representative of the city as a whole. In providing a mechanism and platform for development and joint working it will become the first port of call for emerging and new artists in the city.

About the Cultural Champions

The proposal to develop a network of Cultural Champions, each representing one of the six towns of Stoke-on-Trent, was set out in the City's draft Cultural Strategy. The Champions were established as a group between March and July 2018. In addition to representatives for the six towns, among the body of the Champions is a representative for Heritage and for Newcastle-under-Lyme, following from the excellent levels of cooperation achieved during the City of Culture bid. The Champions are committed to developing and enhancing the cultural capacity and connectivity of the cultural infrastructure of Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire. Their activities range from advising and assisting in the development of established projects to developing a vision and strategy for shaping new artistic opportunities to expand and enhance cultural capacity.

8th July 2018 - Burslem Summer of Art 2018

3 MAJOR ART EXHIBITONS

Three Counties Open
28th July to 30th August 10 to 4pm
at Burslem School of Art
Cheshire / Staffordshire / Shropshire artists.
Includes exhibition of art in THE GREAT WAR COMMEMORATION ROOM

Ian Mood Solo Show - Common Ground
28th July 30th August 10 to 4pm
at Burslem School of Art
Northern artist Potteries born Ian Mood follows in the footstep of his grandad to represent the
Potteries in his own contemporary style.

Arthur Berry Exhibition: Old Timers
21st July to 16th September 10 to 4pm
at Barewall Art Gallery
Late 20th century paintings by Arthur Berry of Potteries characters who would have lived through the Great War. Part of companion poetry trail and book publication: On The Street: Poetry by Arthur Berry

POETRY TRAIL on Public Transport from 2nd Aug to 12th November

WHAT IS NOW : Arts trail - 6 graduate artists / 6 curators / 6 locations over 8 weeks
28th July to 16th September in Burslem Town Centre
Artists and curators working in popup spaces across 8 weeks

Burslem in Bloom and Bunting from 28th July to 16th September
Open Top Bus (TBC) - Most days
WW1 Arts Trial - There But Not There WW1 installations at Elim Church and St Johns Church and Burslem Park
Artist Open Studio Weekend - 14th-16th September

2 MUSIC FESTIVAL WEEKENDS

28th July Middleport Park MIDFEST 11-4
25th - 26th August BURSLEM UNITES - Burslem Park 12-4
27th August BURSLEM UNITES - Burslem Town Centre 12-6

WW1 Themed Real Ale Trail 28th July to 11th November

POPUP MUSEUM: BURSLEM IN 1860's
At The Leopard Every Friday to 16th September 12-3pm
With Burslem History Club

WW1 Themed STAFFORDSHIRE FILMSHOW
At the Leopard Every Saturday to 16th September 12-3pm
With Staffordshire Film Archive

Cafes / Restaurants / Bars open daily.

All in the historic Burslem town centre packed full of heritage architecture including its English Heritage restored Park

Less than a mile from the Weeping Window at Middleport Pottery.

20th May 2018 - Etruria Canals Festival

11th May 2018 - Burslem In Bloom

Burslem in Bloom 2018

Please help Root ‘n’ Fruit make Burslem Bloomin’ Marvellous!

Root ‘n’ Fruit are inviting businesses and residents in and around Burslem, to create colourful containers, planters and tubs to display around the Mother Town this Summer. Helping to turn grey spaces green!

We are asking you to join other businesses and plant up, and look after your own tubs, baskets and planters. Even putting just ONE tub of flowers outside your premises this summer, will contribute towards making a real impact across Burslem!

Please put your flowers out, in a safe spot, in June!

For further information or to get some help with starting your planters, baskets or tubs, please contact Root ‘n’ Fruit via email info@rootnfruit.co.uk or via

Facebook at www.facebook.com/rootnfruit

Please join forces with us and other local businesses to green up our local area and make a big impact in Burslem!

Root ‘n’ Fruit is a community allotment garden working with schools, businesses and the community - who learn about, grow, cook and eat, fresh fruit and vegetables. 

6th May 2018 - Burslem Festival 2018

Live Music, community stalls, Warwick's Fun Fair, Boslem-by-the-Sea. Free.

Queen Street and Market Place

 

24th April 2018 - Workers Memorial Day, Swan Bank Church, Burslem

11th April 2018 - Chartist Plaque. Update from Jason Hill

I have now received confirmation that the Chartist plaque will be installed in Swan Square in time for Workers Memorial Day.

I can therefore confirm that we will be meeting at the plaque at 11 am on Saturday 28th April.

 11am - Outside Swan Bank Church -

The unveiling of the plaque commemorating Josiah Heapy and the Chartists.

There is a buffet afterwards in Swan Bank Cafe ( kindly provided by UNITE 6110 branch - thank you).

Speakers Include

Rev Ashley Cooper (Swan Bank Methodist Church) 
Cllr Alan Dutton (Burslem Central)
Bob Fyson (historian) 
Chrissie Gibson (relative of Josiah Heapy)
Ray Johnson (Staffs Film Archive) 
Debbie McAndrew (Claybody Theatre) 
Ruth Smeeth MP

Joan Walley ( Burslem Regeneration Trust)

27th March 2018 - Neighbourhood plan 1st forum members meeting

Tuesday 27^TH March 2018

17:00 – 18:30

Synectics Solutions, Hamil Road office

Tea and coffee provided

Planning for the future development of Burslem

OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANS

1^st meeting for forum members

We are creating two Neighbourhood Plans for Burslem, to be used by Council Planners to help make important decisions within our area. The plans will cover Burslem Park area and Burslem Town area.

The aim of the Forum is to develop a neighbourhood plan. Burslem’s Neighbourhood Plans, once adopted, will complement the Local Plan produced by the Council in that it will express the views of the community of residents and workers in Burslem.  These views on development and the environment of Burslem will form a significant part of deciding any future planning applications in our area

We need YOUR views and input on topic’s including:

Future housing, sheltered housing, listed buildings, transport, roads, car-parking, broadband, employment, school provision and sustainability, plus anything else that you think is relevant to the future development of Burslem.

When the plan is made it has to reflect the views of the community. There will be a referendum to approve the final plan by all registered voters in the plan areas. Without our own Neighbourhood Plan, we will have NO SAY in how Burslem is developed.

 

At 17:15 we will give an introductory talk to explain why we need a Neighbourhood Plan and its purpose and objectives. Please make every effort to come along to make your views known, or to comment on the views of others. If you can’t make it to the meeting, your views are still welcome and we’ll look to arrange mop up sessions where possible wheremembers of the group will be available to give more information.

 

News updates on the progress of the Neighbourhood Plans will be posted on the Burslem Regeneration Trust website http://burslem.info/

 

A draft agenda is provided below, and further updates will be provided in the next couple of weeks in preparation for our first meeting.  This will include items such as a draft constitution and updates with our partners working on the Middleport Neighbourhood plan.

 

23rd October 2017

We're all set for the Burslem Open for Business event tomorrow, hosted by City Learning Trust

Dear Colleague

Many thanks for reserving your free place at the “Burslem - Open for Business” event, which is taking place tomorrow, 24th October, 08:30-12:00 at the historic Old Town Hall in Burslem.

 You don’t need to bring your ticket with you, as we have your details on the list – and there and still places left if you know any colleagues that might be interested in joining us.  Limited pay and display parking is available outside the Old Town Hall, and the nearby Navigation Road car park is £2.40 for all day parking.

 Breakfast will be provided from 08:30 and the presentations will begin at 09:00am.

The Agenda includes:

• Welcome and Introduction from Burslem Regeneration Trust.
• Case Studies from Synectics Solutions, and Otter’s Tears, explaining why Burslem works so well for them!
• Business Growth Assistance from the Growth Hub - the focal point for businesses that wish to grow, providing co-ordinated and cohesive growth programmes, business networks, growth groups and links to specialist information, advice and services.
• Brand Visibility from Zoogly - as experts in SEO, Content and digital marketing, Zoogly are able to show you exactly what you need for your business so that you can be discovered. If they can't find you, then they can't buy from you!
• Digital Awareness from Stoke on Trent City Council - learn how to use digital marketing, social media and competitive intelligence to help your business.
• Access to Business & Grant Scheme Advisors, offering Business Grants from £1,500-£10,000
• Networking Opportunities.

On behalf of Burslem Regeneration Trust, we very much look forward to seing you tomorrow.

Best wishes

 

Alan

 

20th October 2017

Burslem Open for Business - Event and Seminar

Tuesday 24th October 2017 08:30 - 12:00 - tickets from Eventbrite

Thanks to Donna Sturge from Autonet Insurance for assisting David Feldman and Alan Christian to create the BRT pop-up Banners for our Business Event.  We'll use these banners to promote our efforts in Burslem to make it a great place for people to live, work, visit, and invest-in.

20th October 2017

Seeking members for our Neighbourhood plans

The Burslem Regeneration Trust is seeking forum members for two proposed Neighbourhood Plans for Burslem. If you would be interested in joining a forum to develop the above neighbourhood plans, we are planning to hold initial meetings on 26th October and 2nd November at 16.00 at the Burslem School of Art. The meetings will be for around 45 minutes. So far the Burslem Regeneration Trust  been busy consulting with the local council about supporting the initiative and have made an application for early funding to enable us to develop the necessary forums and to commence the generation of ideas on what people would like to cover within the eventual plans.

We have now received confirmation that our applications for funding have been approved and greatly welcome your  support to make this work to Burslem’s benefit. The introductory meeting will provide further information on the nature of a neighbourhood plan, likely timescales from inception of the process to its conclusion and to explore what it means for every member of the forum in terms of time commitment and the like.

Each forum will require a membership of at least 21 people who live or work in the relevant area made up of a good cross section of the population in the area including business / shop owners where that applies. 

In order to give you more of an idea of what neighbourhood plans are all about please find below a few brief guidance notes along with website references where you may research the topic further should you so wish.

My Community website https://mycommunity.org.uk/take-action/neighbourhood-planning/ 

What is a neighbourhood plan?

In very simple terms, a neighbourhood plan is:

•A document that sets out planning policies for the neighbourhood area – planning policies are used to decide whether to approve planning applications

•Prepared and written by the local community, the people who know and love the area, rather than the Local Planning Authority

•A powerful tool to ensure the community gets the right types of development, in the right place.

Local people can create a plan that allows them to develop planning policies that reflect the priorities of their area and have real legal weight. The whole community then decides at a referendum vote whether the plan comes into force.

A neighbourhood plan is an important document with real legal force, therefore there are certain formal procedures that it must go through. 

See also : http://locality.org.uk/resources/neighbourhood-planning-roadmap-guide/ 

Royal Town Planning Institute

http://www.rtpi.org.uk/planning-aid/neighbourhood-planning/what-is-neighbourhood-planning/ 

What is Neighbourhood Planning?

Neighbourhood planning is a right for communities introduced through the Localism Act 2011. Communities can shape development in their areas through the production of Neighbourhood Development Plans, Neighbourhood Development Orders and Community Right to Build Orders.

Neighbourhood Development Plans are a statutory planning document and will be used with the Local Plan to test all planning applications in the area.  Neighbourhood Development Orders and Community Right to Build Orders allow communities to grant planning permission either in full or in outline for the types of development they want to see in their areas.

It must be stressed that the policies produced are not a method for stopping development, what they can do is shape where that development will go and what it will look like.

Neighbourhood planning is one of the community rights, along with the Community Right to Build, Community Right to Bid, Community Right to Challenge and Community Right to Reclaim Land. See the My Community Rights website for more information.

 

How does it work?

A community group known as a neighbourhood forum needs to be established to lead. The Localism Act recognises that not all communities are residential in nature and as such in areas that are predominantly commercial then a business led neighbourhood forum can be established.

The Local Planning Authority (Stoke-on-Trent City Council) is involved and will make decisions at key stages of the process, such as approving the neighbourhood area within which the Neighbourhood Development Plan will have effect. It will also organise the independent examination of the plan and the community referendum that is held at the end of the process.

The referendum is an important part of the process allowing those that live in the neighbourhood area to decide whether or not the Neighbourhood Development Plan, Neighbourhood Development Order or Community Right to Build Order comes into effect or not. This is direct democracy and outlines the importance of working with the wider community and securing their support at an early stage in the process.

Other websites such as those below have further information for those that would like to research things more.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/neighbourhood-planning--2

 

29th September 2017

Trustees Meeting - Middleport Potteries

19th September 2017

Burslem Open for Business - Event and Seminar

Tuesday 24th October 2017 08:30 - 12:00 - tickets from Eventbrite

A FREE breakfast event (08:30am-12:00pm) being organised by Burslem Regeneration Trust and Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, in the historic Old Town Hall in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent.

The event will provide advice and support on a range of business issues, including: Access to Finance; Resource Efficiency; Innovation; Manufacturing Advice; Export Help; Start-up & Growth Support.

The event will include Advisors from the Growth Hub & Small Business Grant Scheme, offering Business Grants from £1,500-£10,000.

Whilst considering the benefits of running a business in the City, the event will focus upon what Burslem, specifically, offers - with business rate reductions, great connectivity, and a wonderfully supportive business & community network. The event will include:

1. Welcome & Breakfast.

2. Case Studies from Synectics Solutions, and Otters Tears, explaining why Burslem works so well for them!

3. Business Growth Assistance from the Growth Hub - the focal point for businesses that wish to grow, providing co-ordinated and cohesive growth programmes, business networks, growth groups and links to specialist information, advice and services.

4. Brand Visibility from Zoogly - as experts in SEO, Content and digital marketing, Zoogly are able to show you exactly what you need for your business so that you can be discovered. If they can't find you, then they can't buy from you!

5. Digital Awareness from Stoke on Trent City Council - learn how to use digital marketing, social media and competitive intelligence to help your business.

6. Access to Business & Grant Scheme Advisors.

7. Networking Opportunities.

5th September 2017

Heritage Open Days

Please note the next meeting for Burslem Welcomes is now Tues 10th Oct 5.30 Duke of William.

Have a great Heritage Open Days this weekend. Stoke on Trent HOD Leaflets are available at Barewall / School of Art or check online at https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/

Burslem HOD events include:

Fri 8th Sept

• FREE 11 - 12      Bennett's watering holes @Barewall with Mervyn Edwards
• FREE 3 - 4.30pm The Card @Wedgwood Institute with Ray Johnson

Sat 9th Sept

• FREE Guide of St Josephs Church 11 to 5pm

Sun 10th Sept

• FREE entry Ford Green Hall 11 to 4pm
• FREE Entry Middleport Pottery 10 to 4pm

 

11th August 2017

Neighbourhood planning

The Burslem Regeneration Trust today registered our interest in Burslem Park and Burslem Cantral as Neighbourhood planning areas, alongside the planning for Middleport.

Neighbourhood planning is a right for communities introduced through the Localism Act 2011. Communities can shape development in their areas through the production of Neighbourhood Development Plans, Neighbourhood Development Orders and Community Right to Build Orders.

Read more here

1st August 2017

Stoke Reads

In 2015, Stoke-on-Trent was ranked 144^th out of 152 areas of the country based on the number of pupils achieving five A* to C grades at GCSE, including English and maths. The percentage of students in the city achieving these grades was just 48%, dropping to just 31% of disadvantaged students.

Improving literacy in Stoke makes business sense. It will contribute to economic growth in the area by equipping young people with the skills they need to access high-quality jobs, and providing local firms with access to a skilled local workforce.

As part of Stoke Reads, some great work is being done to support and engage parents, teachers and children from the early years through to secondary school (see here). Much of this is relevant to our exciting City of Culture bid.

We need your support to widen the reach of our campaign and change the life stories of young people in the city. 

 

18th July 2017

Trustees Meeting - Port Vale FC

No.	Item
1	Welcome, introductions & apologies.Welcome to visitors
2	Feedback on recent activities
3	Members' Meeting, Root ‘n’ Fruit, 3 Counties Art Exhibition, Task groupsNeighbourhood Plan progress, Staffordshire University, Keele students research, Burslem Chamber Festival, Holiday Hunger, Summer events including Chartist event on August 15 and Our Burslem Unites Bank Holiday Monday, PV Community Foundation, City of Culture bid, Local policing, Stoke on Trent Council -representation/ Public realm work /road investment / Liberal club building
4	Treasurers report
5	AOB
6	Future dates for diary – all trustee meetings:-29th September, Venue Swan Bank coffee Lounge 24th November 2017, Venue TBA 26th January 2018, Venue TBA

 

13th July 2017

Annual members meeting at the old town hall

http://burslem.info/2017-annual-general-meeting