Miner's strike protests in Northern Ireland
During the 1984/1985 miner's strike many protestors travelled around the country to attend demonstrations and rallys. The North Staffordshire Miner's Wives Group was a particularly active support group ...
Mining rescue team at the Minnie Pit, Newcastle-under-Lyme
This mining rescue team is about to descend into the tunnels of the Minnie Pit following the Minnie Pit disaster of January 1918.
It was the Potteries' worst colliery accident: around 160 men and ...
Narrow Boats outside Winkle and Wood Pottery, Stoke-on-Trent
Canals are now mostly used for recreation with many people owning or hiring narrow boats for touring holidays. Some people live in canal narrow boats and have permanent moorings at the canal side or in ...
New Year's Greetings Card. Photography and Design by William Blake.
New Year's Greetings Card with an industrial landscape taken in the Potteries.
Blake produced many greetings cards, which were sold in his shop at Stafford Street, Longton. The street was renamed The ...
No contest - 1812 election notice the Enoch Wood scrapbook
Parliamentary candidate John Wrottesley here informs the electors of Staffordshire that he intends to pull out of the race to represent the county.
He claims that his rival has drawn him into a campaign ...
Nominations for Staffordshire MP - 1812 election document from the Enoch Wood scrapbook
What was at stake?
In this notice, Mr. Keen, the Under-Sheriff of Staffordshire, announces nominations for Staffordshire's next Member of Parliament.
When would nominations take place?
This event ...
Notice from the Enoch Wood scrapbook - "Our cause is gained!"
A big decision
In 1812, the people of the Potteries were struggling for their livelihoods. One government decision could make all the difference, but would it all come too late?
Ruin
Years of ...
Notice to the Burgesses of Newcastle-under-Lyme - 1831 election notice from the Enoch Wood scrapbook
Francis Wedgwood addresses the burgesses of Newcastle-under-Lyme, confirming that his father has accepted their invitation to stand for Parliament in 1831.
Josiah Wedgwood II will arrive the following ...
Official opening of the Spitfire display, Bethesda Street, Hanley
The "greenhouse" on Bethesda Street housed a Mk XVI Spitfire RW 388. Designed by Butt Lane born engineer, R J Mitchell, the Spitfire was built in 1945 and served with the RAF.
This photograph was taken ...
On the campaign trail at the 1812 elections - a letter from the Enoch Wood scrapbook
In this letter, Thomas Sparrow recommends to Enoch Wood that 21-year old Parliamentary candidate Edward John Walhouse should "go as quickly thro' the County as possible - to do otherwise cannot answer ...
Open letter from E.J. Walhouse to the electors of Staffordshire - 1812 election notice from the Enoch Wood scrapbook
The 1812 election shows that government affairs have not not always been dominated by today's party politics - but they were far from democratic.
"Strictly pure and independent..."
Local issues ...
Opening of Hawksmoor Nature Reserve, near Cheadle. Photographed by William Blake.
Photograph of the crowd gathering to watch the opening of the Masefield Memorial Gateway at Hawksmoor Nature Reserve, Near Cheadle, Staffordshire.
John Richard Beech Masefield was the founder of the ...
Opening of Hawksmoor Nature reserve, near Cheadle. Photographed by William Blake.
Photograph of the crowd gathering to watch the opening of the Masefield Memorial Gateway at Hawksmoor Nature Reserve, Near Cheadle, Staffordshire.
John Richard Beech Masefield was the founder of the ...
Packing a Parliament - A pro-reform notice from the Enoch Wood scrapbook
In the early 1830s, new ideas for changing Britain's political system were one of the hottest topics for debate.
Corrupt and Selfish
The authors of this notice direct their venom at "the most shamelessly ...
Parade. Photographed by William Blake.
Dancers and musicians at a parade. Unknown location.
Parade. Photographed by William Blake.
Dancers and musicians at a parade. Unknown location.
Peace - 1813 petition from the Enoch Wood scrapbook
Hard Times in the Potteries
By 1813, years of war with France, and later the United States, had pushed Britain's businesses to the brink of bankruptcy.
The pottery manufacturers were no exception, ...
Peace meeting at Hanley Town Hall - a document from the Enoch Wood scrapbook
Hard Times in the Potteries
By 1813, years of war with France, and later the United States, had pushed Britain's businesses to the brink of bankruptcy.
The pottery manufacturers were no exception, ...