A new creative community project has been launched to help shape a major regeneration masterplan in part of Stoke-on-Trent.
Longton Time Machine invites residents to share what they love about Longton, their hopes for the future and how they want to be involved in the town’s next chapter.
Participants are being asked questions such as: What do you love about Longton? What are your wishes for Longton in 10, 50 and 100 years? How would you like to be involved in developing Longton – and how should future generations take part?
Responses will be brought together into a collective timeline of memories, ideas and ambitions, which will be shared with the council and a steering group chaired by Stoke-on-Trent South MP Allison Gardner.
The project has been launched by Urban Wilderness CIC, which is leading Longton’s bid to become the UK’s first Town of Culture, and is supported by Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
Urban Wilderness CIC co-director Isla Telford said: “Longton has been overlooked for a long time but there is now a real sense of hope and optimism, and a feeling that the town is on the up.
“Longton is a real asset for the city as a whole, and this is an opportunity to get involved and play your part in something which is good news for the town.”
Fellow co-director Jenny Harper added: “Longton has a strong identity, and this project is a way of gathering its stories and aspirations directly from the people who live and work here.
“We will gather these thoughts and ideas together and create a timeline that spotlights what we are proud of from our past and what we aspire to for our future. Being part of this conversation is very important to us.”
As part of the project, community conversation sessions are being held in the town at Kiln Café on Saturday, 14 February from 1.30pm to 3.30pm and Longton Indoor Market on Saturday, 28 February from 10am to 1pm.
People can also take part by emailing info@urbanwildernesscic.com, sending WhatsApp voice notes to 07432 663368, sharing photos or video, or by completing the online form.
