History of Stoke on Trent Staffordshire
We take a look back in time to discover the history of Stoke on Trent. Looking at the Pottery Industry and Coal mining which were the main industries in the area.
Stoke on Trent (otherwise known as Stoke) is a city in the county of Staffordshire, England and covers an area of 36 square miles. Together with the borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire Moorlands it forms the area of North Staffordshire and has a population of 384,000 as of 2019.
Stoke on Trent is made up of 6 towns which include Hanley (known as the commercial center of the city), Fenton, Longton, Tunstall, Burslem, and Stoke. We are a removals company in Stoke on Trent and cover these areas today.
History of Stoke on Trent – Industry
The Pottery Industry
Since the 17th Century Stoke on Trent was known as the home of the pottery industry and was home to some of the worlds biggest Pottery Manufacturers. These companies included Royal Doulton, Wegdwood, Dudson, Spode and Minton.
The local plethora of Coal and Clay in the area led to the development of the pottery industry. The Trent and Mersey Canal was built in the 18th Century and this enabled the import of china clay from Cornwall to produce bone china and creamware.
Throughout the years the Staffordshire Potteries profile was raised due to the local development of artistic talent. The major players were Josiah Wedgwood, Josiah Spode and Thomas Minton.
A common feature in the Pottery manufacturing hey day was a bottle kiln which was used to fire pottery. It is estimated that over 2000 bottle kilns were of use in the city and they dominated the skyline. Today there are 47 standing bottle kilns which are preserved as listed buildings and you can see them throughout the city.
Coal Mining
Coal mining was first reported in the North Staffordshire area as far back as the 13th Century. The Coal mining industry was nationalised in 1947 and from this Stoke on Trent had over 20000 men working in the industry. The Potteries coalfield covered a staggering 100 square miles.
Due to to the nationalisation of coal in the 80’s we saw the demise of the coal industry and today all the coal mines in Staffordshire are now closed. Communities and families were destroyed due to the miners crisis.
Steel
Iron and steel was also major industry sectors in the area. Mills were located in Goldendale and Shelton. Shelton steelworks was one of the biggest in the area but the manufacturing of steel stopped production in 1978. Steel was then transported from Scunthorpe and steel billets were produced. However, Shelton Steelworks ceased trading in 2002.
Due to the decline in the manufacturing sector throughout the United Kingdom in the 80’s and 90’s Stoke-on-Trent hit bad times. Unemployment was at a high and the city was hit hard.
History of Stoke on Trent – Sport
Football
Football as always been a popular sport in the area and the city has two major sides. Stoke City which were formed in 1863 and Port Vale formed in 1876.
Stoke City are situated in Stoke and have had the majority of its history in the top two tiers of English football. Some great players have come out of Stoke including Sir Stanley Matthews and Gordon Banks.
Port Vale are based in Burslem and spent most of their history in the lower tier of English football. They have never played in the top tier of English Football.
The Burslem club hold the record of playing the most seasons in the football league without reaching the top tier.
