paulwilliams207.bsky.social - Profile | ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

Latest PS column in which I talk about the LVEP’s Big Tourism Conference, the importance of Business Tourism, and how our local MPs flying the All Made Here ceramics flag can support #EnglishTourismWeek25

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There are some great musical opportunities coming to Stoke-on-Trent in the next few weeks and months. I’m looking forward to bringing all of this music to the city with the City of Stoke-on-Trent Symphony Orchestra - so much of it completely free to access.

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The word from the pottery is it’s a #PotteryThrowDown guest judge appearance from our favourite Stokie Bloke, Moorland Pottery’s very own Jon Plant, on tonight’s show. @potterythrow.bsky.social @keithbrymerjones.bsky.social

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Today the APPG for Craft focused on Stoke as a World Craft City. There are challenges for the passing on of ceramic heritage craft skills but also great opportunities. We saw modelling being done in the room and suggested ways in which young people could be encouraged to learn the crafts.

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Ever since the then British Tourist Association, now @VisitBritain.bsky.social launched its ‘See Industry at Work’ campaign in 1988 promoting visits to active factories, Stoke-on-Trent has been at the vanguard of developing a ceramics-led cultural and tourism movement. #AllMadeHere

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Looking forward to another topophilic second challenge in next week’s #PotteryThrowDown with a little help from Moorland Pottery and a guest judge appearance from the Stokie Bloke himself, Jon Plant.

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Having previously called for a @PotteryThrow.bsky.social exhibition, I’m delighted to see the #SoT100 commemorative bird baths will be showcased at Gladstone Pottery Museum during the city’s centenary year. Hopefully, discussions with Love Productions will lead to further exhibitions in due course.

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Productive meeting with @SOTCollege.bsky.social CEO & Principal, Hassan Rizvi, to discuss all things FE/HE, place-based anchor institutions, curriculum, skills gaps, learner experience, partner engagement, Shaping our Future City prospectus, and the College’s recent journey. #SkillsReadyFutureReady

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“In any civilised community the arts and associated amenities, serious or comic, light or demanding, must occupy a central place. Their enjoyment should not be regarded as remote from everyday life.”

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It’s 60 years today since the publication of Jennie Lee’s famous White Paper, A Policy for the Arts - The First Steps, recognised the importance of everyone having equality of access to the arts

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Save the date! Delighted to see the latest edition of Ceramic Review highlight this year’s British Ceramics Biennial ‘will celebrate Stoke-on-Trent’s industrial heritage and its designation as a World Craft City, coinciding with the city’s centenary.’

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“When places like Goodison turn off the lights, you lose a connection with the past.” @lexytopping.bsky.social final pilgrimage to the Grand Old Lady resonates with all fans who wear the royal blue jersey. Nil Satis Nisi Optimum 💙 www.theguardian.com/football/202...

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My latest PS column makes the evergreen case for public investment in Stoke-on-Trent’s two largest theatres and highlights the cultural dividend this investment delivers.

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My latest PS column makes the evergreen case for public investment in Stoke-on-Trent’s two largest theatres and highlights the cultural dividend this investment delivers.

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Perhaps 2025 is an opportune year to consider @stokecityfc.bsky.social minimalist crest because it is the 100th anniversary of the football club becoming Stoke City following Stoke-on-Trent being granted city status. www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/footba...

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Ceramics sector, the “lifeblood” of Stoke-on-Trent, a city “neglected for so long.” www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

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Lovely potters making lovely things out of lovely clay in a lovely place! The Great Pottery Throw Down is ‘the only programme of its particular type rooted in a specific place and culture: in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, the home of British ceramics production since the 18th century.’

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Full debate 👇👇👇 hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2025... @jonrouse.bsky.social

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Excellent contributions from our local MPs on AI, CreaTech, culture, World Craft City and University of Staffordshire Creative Industries debate. Gareth Snell: “Madam Deputy Speaker, if I were to ask you to name a city in the UK that is a hotbed of creativity —” Chris Bryant: “Stoke-on-Trent!”

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Hi Everyone some of you may be interested in the launch of this international alliance for socially engaged arts / also launching fellowships www.allianceforsociallyengagedarts.org

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Delighted to be quoted once again in @henleydarren.bsky.social latest edition of #TheArtsDividend with reference to how ‘the impetus for increased cultural tourism can come from sometimes unexpected sources.’

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Andy Edwards: “Motörhead are the hardest, loudest band in the world - why wouldn’t you make those your heroes? We’re from Stoke-on-Trent and Lemmy’s one of us.”

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‘Beautiful forms and compositions are not made by chance, nor can they ever, in any material, be made at small expense.’ Josiah Wedgwood

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Ahead of the Lunar New Year, a reminder that Chinese residents invited to name British landmarks in Mandarin named Stoke-on-Trent ‘Wan Bo Tao Ci’ - which translates as the ‘City of Diverse Ceramics’. Fittingly, the spiritual home of British ceramics is now officially designated a World Craft City.

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Ceramics tourism remains the sine qua non of Stoke-on-Trent’s visitor economy.

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In 1988 the British Tourist Authority launched ‘See Industry at Work’, one of the first campaigns promoting visits to active factories. Industrial tourism in the spiritual home of British ceramics is characterised by pottery factory affection.

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As beer tourists increasingly display connoisseurship similar to enthusiasts of fine wine or whisky, throughout its 40 years it’s wonderful to see Titanic Brewery ensure there is a real connection between their customers and where the beer comes from.

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Thank you to our brilliant #ThreeMusketeers cast and crew. Their dedication and camaraderie meant that every performance embodied the spirit of the legend All for One and One for all

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Great news @justinesimons.bsky.social & @TouriaMeliani that the 2025 World Cultural Cities Summit is in #Amsterdam

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Fiercely proud of their humble beginnings as a microbrewery in 1985, the Burslem-based Titanic is an increasingly popular cultural attraction in Stoke-on-Trent. #BeerTourism

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As beer tourists increasingly display connoisseurship similar to enthusiasts of fine wine or whisky, throughout its 40 years it’s wonderful to see Titanic Brewery ensure there is a real connection between their customers and where the beer comes from.

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Celebrating 40 years in the spiritual home of British ceramics, Emma Bridgewater says, “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.” #CeramicsTourism #AllMadeHere

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In the same way that exceptional craftsmanship is integral to Jimmy Choo’s DNA, as proud creators of made in Stoke-on-Trent chinaware, the Duchess China 1888 backstamp is in vogue and enduringly fashionable. #AllMadeHere

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We’re new to Bluesky, so here’s a little potted history of Claybody Theatre to get you up to speed. A thread! 🧵

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The beautiful Biddulph Grange gardens inspired by journeys around the globe described by gardener, writer & broadcaster as being a “surreal, dream-like mindscape that represented different parts of the world, from different periods of history”. @nationaltrust.bsky.social @celiarichardson.bsky.social

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Exciting collaboration… and reminds me I must complete this set of visitor attractions - each with a fascinating story to tell. #Staffordshire

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Good to see Stoke-on-Trent included in this list of best places to visit in the uk - with the #SoT100 city centenary highlighted.

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Ceramics tourism is a significant segment of the tourism market. Three little words, but the #AllMadeHere campaign will see Burleigh Pottery collaborate with Emma Bridgewater and Duchess China to attract visitors by promoting best in design, creativity and ‘made in Stoke-on-Trent’ manufacturing.

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“For too many people in this country, and for far too long, they just haven’t seen themselves reflected in our national story. We are determined that is going to change, but for us this is not just about stardust, it is about serious, hard-headed economics.”

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Lisa Nandy: “Arts and creativity and culture is not a ‘nice to have’. It is an essential part of who we are as a country. The story that a nation tells itself, about itself, matters.”

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Good to see local MP and plate-turner Gareth Snell raise the importance of Staffordshire craftsmanship and ceramics made in Stoke-on-Trent, the spiritual home of British ceramics and a designated World Craft City, are showcased in @houseofcommons.parliament.uk @lucympowell.bsky.social

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The annual Visit England campaign looks to raise awareness of tourism and visitor economies among key stakeholders including MPs, ministers and the media. @visitbritain.bsky.social

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A celebration of the tourism industry and an opportunity to showcase its importance to local communities and economies, the theme for this year’s #EnglishTourismWeek25 (14-23 March) is ‘Supporting people and places to drive growth.’

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‘Town centres are more than places for shopping. The town centres that I represent in Fenton, Hanley, Stoke and a part of Longton are about pride, community and dignity of place. They not only have an economic benefit, but are the mesh that holds society together in our city.’

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