1812 election document from the Enoch Wood scrapbook - "An atrocious outrage..."
In 1812, two candidates - Walhouse and Wrottesley - were fighting for the votes of Stoke-on-Trent's electors.
"Sir John Wrottesley has withdrawn from the contest and left the party in the lurch."
Wrottesley ...
1812 election notice - document from the Enoch Wood scrapbook
In the 1812 election contest between John Wrottesley and Edward John Walhouse, one of the key issues was manufacturing.
"The Interests of my native County"
In this notice, Staffordshire gentleman ...
1812 election notice from the Enoch Wood scrapbook - "An honest Ned..."
In May 1812, a two-horse race was underway to see who would become Staffordshire's next Member of Parliament.
Walhouse vs. Wrottesley
This notice favours the Tory candidate, Mr. Walhouse, at the ...
1812 election notice from the Enoch Wood scrapbook - "Brother Freeholders..."
In the early 19th century, one factor alone decided whether or not men could vote - while women were denied completely:
You had to own or be a tenant of freehold property worth at least 40 shillings.
Although ...
1812 election notice from the Enoch Wood scrapbook - "The fate of the community..."
In the 1800s, an election would be among the biggest local attractions of the year.
The main event
Thousands would flock to hear the candidates' outdoor speeches, where they could find singing, ...
1812 election notice from the Enoch Wood scrapbook - "Violence and Outrage"
Election time
In 1812, election time was a very different spectacle compared to the media circus of today.
Mass rallies were the best way for candidates to make their voices heard. Thousands of ...
1831 election notice from the Enoch Wood scrapbook - "Coming to the Scratch!"
In 1831, former Member of Parliament for Coventry Richard Edensor Heathcote, was battling to become MP for Stoke-on-Trent.
Heathcote was a Longton-born Liberal politician who was keen to secure equal ...
1831 election notice from the Enoch Wood scrapbook - "Perfect neutrality!"
At the 1831 elections, few men's opinions seemed to count for as much as those of Josiah Wedgwood II.
Taking sides
During 1831, Wedgwood was rumoured to be siding with Richard Edensor Heathcote, ...
1832 Reform Act - A notice on "Pottery Representation" from the Enoch Wood scrapbook
The 1832 Reform Act allowed more of Stoke-on-Trent's citizens to exercise a vote at elections - and when this notice was issued, the new Act was about to come into force.
How many people could vote?
Looking ...
1836 election document from the Enoch Wood scrapbook - "Beware of the Destructives"
This notice calls upon the electors of Stoke-on-Trent not to promise their votes to any aspiring Member of Parliament just yet.
Who should they vote for?
The author urges them to wait until they ...
'A.T. with bicycle'
Very little is known about this interesting photograph. It is inscribed 'A.T. with bicycle'. The gentleman's outfit, probably a festival costume, is covered with small decorated squares of fabric which ...
Abbot's Bromley: The Horn Dancers. Photographed by William Blake.
Photograph of a book illustration containing a village scene and a group of horn dancers.
Horn dancing is an annual tradition, which is believed to have originated in 1226 at the Barthelmy Fair at ...
Address to the Workmen in the Parishes of Burslem and Wolstanton - Document from the Enoch Wood Scrapbook
The Truck System
This was a system whereby the workers were forced to accept goods in lieu of payment.
They would be payed in tokens, which could only be spent at the company store or 'Tommy Shop.'
The ...
An invitation to dine with the local volunteer corps - Hand Written Letter from the Enoch Wood Scrapbook
Hand-written letter from Major Williamson of the Longport Corps., inviting Enoch Wood to dinner on Wednesday 21st April 1813.
It reads;
Major Williamson and the officers of the Longport Corps request ...
Arthur Scargill at a miner's strike demonstration, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent 1984.
Arthur Scargill was President of the National Union of Mineworkers during the 1984 - 1985 miner's strike and became a household name. He attended rallys and demonstrations throughout the country including ...
Article from the Public Enquirer, taken from the Enoch Wood scrapbook - "The Wellington Quick-Step to Anarchy"
Moderate readers of the Public Inquirer on Saturday April 23 1829 might have choked on this partisan account of the movement for Catholics' civil rights in Britain.
Thomas Mulock's rage
The author ...
Barlaston Cemetery. Photographed by William Blake.
Barlaston Cemetery's West Side, Barlaston, Nr. Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.
Beeston Tor, Leek & Manifold Light Railway
A packed passenger train with two locomotives has halted at Beeston Tor Station on its way north along the Leek and Manifold Light Railway . The line, which opened in 1904, closed in 1934, and the track ...