A host of events marking the city’s centenary and the first-ever Stoke-on-Trent Day culminated with one of the highest civic honours being awarded to 10 individuals and organisations who have provided ‘exceptional’ service to the city.
Honorary Freeman of the City titles were awarded at a special Stoke-on-Trent City Council meeting yesterday as centenary celebrations took place across the city.
From the business world, Denise and Peter Coates of bet365 and Stoke City Football Club fame, Tile Mountain Chairman Mo Iqbal, former Goodwin plc Chairman John Goodwin, Port Vale Football Club chair and co-owner Carol Shanahan OBE and music promoter Mike Lloyd were all honoured.
They join other recipients The Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire Sir Ian Dudson, local historian Fred Hughes, former Stoke-on-Trent North MP Joan Walley and Port Vale itself.
Carol said she was ‘genuinely touched’ and a ‘little bit overwhelmed’ to be receiving the honour while Joan described the city as ‘one like no other where people genuinely care about each other’.
Port Vale’s Chief Executive Matt Hancock said it ‘speaks volumes about the bond between our club and the communities we serve’.
Talking about the recipients, Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Councillor Steve Watkins said: “Each one of them represents the very best of Stoke-on-Trent – in spirit, dedication and achievement. As we mark our Centenary year, this honour is a fitting way to celebrate those who have helped shape our story.”
The first major event on Stoke-on-Trent Day was a civic prayer breakfast held at the King’s Hall, in Stoke.
Hosted by charity Saltbox, it brought together faith leaders, civic figures and community members to honour 100 years of city status and reaffirm the city’s long-standing commitment to unity, collaboration and public service through one of the largest events of its kind in the UK.
A special City of Stoke-on-Trent nameplate was officially unveiled at Euston Station yesterday morning with the Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390129 carrying all the city’s MPs to Stoke-on-Trent Railway Station.
They were welcomed by the Lord Mayor who described it as a ‘great honour’ to see the city’s name on one of 33 iconic trains to carry a name.
A special centenary lunch for civic dignitaries was later held at Stoke on Trent College’s Hammersley Restaurant.
Also at the city council’s special session, residents were called on to unite in their support for the centenary.
A procession of civic regalia for each of the towns took place for the first time in history, with the chains of office not being used in a meeting for over 100 years.
The Lord Mayor said: “Today we’re calling on everyone in our city – residents, businesses, and institutions – to join together, in the spirit of “United Strength,” to make sure that Stoke-on-Trent’s next century is one of renewal and shared success.”
The University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust chose yesterday as the day to open a century old time capsule discovered behind a foundation stone laid by King George V during his visit to the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary on 5 June 1925, the day city status was granted and the infirmary received its royal decree.
The time capsule was discovered in 2018 following the hospital’s closure in 2012 and had been kept in a sealed vault at The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Hanley.
Inside were newspapers, coins and a letter to King George V and Queen Mary, which will be on display at Royal Stoke University Hospital until 12 June before they are transferred to The Potteries Museum and Art Galley for permanent display.
Dr Simon Constable, UHNM Chief Executive Officer, said: “This sealed lead box, untouched for nearly 100 years, gives us a direct link to our past—a moment frozen in time, now ready to be shared with the present.
“It is more than an object. It is part of our heritage and represents the enduring commitment of those who came before us to the health and wellbeing of our community.
“As we open it this year, we are not just uncovering artefacts—we are recognising our past. And as we continue building a modern, sustainable NHS for Stoke-on-Trent and beyond, we do so on the strong foundation laid by generations of staff and supporters.”
Earlier this week, hundreds of schoolchildren took part in a special City Music Service concert series – The Big Sing – arranged to showcase the city’s musical talent and tied in with the centenary.
On Wednesday (11 June) many more instrumentalists from primary and secondary schools will take part in The Big Play event.
In another project, Year 5 and 6 pupils from four local primary schools and Y10 students involved in the Higher Horizons Saturday Club were challenged to come up with designs reflecting what Stoke-on-Trent means to them.
Seventy-five ceramic coasters and 30 mugs featuring their designs have been on display at University of Staffordshire’s Creative Industries Degree Show this week.
Meanwhile, The Potteries Centre, in Hanley, has teamed up with Pinc College and local artist Rob Fenton, to create two murals capturing the city’s rich heritage annd paying tribute to the stories, people and achievements that have shaped the city.
The works will transform the Quadrant Road walkway and are due to be unveiled on 27 June.
- Stoke-on-Trent Day will be a yearly celebration on 5 June that celebrates the history, culture, the built and natural environment and the communities that make the city.
