Royal visit to mark 100th anniversary
THE Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will be visiting Stoke-on-Trent to celebrate 100 years of the federation of the six towns.
Prince Charles and Camilla will be visiting major sites in the city and meeting people who live and work in the Potteries on Friday, February 19.
The visit will start at the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery in Hanley, where their Royal Highnesses will see the Staffordshire Hoard exhibition.
The Prince and the Duchess will then make their way to the Bethesda Chapel, in Hanley, before moving on to the Civic Centre in Stoke.
In the afternoon they will visit the Emma Bridgewater factory in Hanley before making their final stop at the Dudson factory, in Tunstall.
Lord Mayor Jean Bowers said: "We are delighted to welcome the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall to Stoke-on-Trent in our centenary year.
"Their visit will be extremely special for our city and for everyone who meets them.
"We are looking forward to what will be the high point of our centenary celebrations."
Prince Charles and Camilla will attend a civic lunch reception and will be entertained by Trentham Brass Band, a string quartet from St Joseph's College and the City of Stoke-on-Trent Male Voice Choir.
Council leader Ross Irving said: "We are proud of the history and achievements of the people of Stoke-on-Trent.
"The Royal visit will be a wonderful opportunity to share some of the story of the six towns, which make up Stoke-on-Trent, and to look forward to our city's future.
"We are thrilled Their Royal Highnesses will visit the Staffordshire Hoard exhibition.
"They will be the first royalty to handle some of the items for more than 1,300 years."
Steve Pilcher, deputy director of the Historic Chapels Trust, told The Sentinel: "We're delighted the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are coming to Stoke-on-Trent and as part of their trip, visiting the Bethesda Chapel.
"We appreciate their interest in the project and its future development and importance in the centre of Hanley."
Matthew Rice, co-director of Emma Bridgewater Pottery, said: "We are thrilled The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will be coming to the Lichfield Street factory as part of their Stoke-on-Trent visit.
"Emma came to Stoke-on-Trent twenty five years ago when she wanted to produce a range of earthenware and this is still the best place in the world to do it.
"Their Royal Highnesses will be able to see this, illustrated perfectly both in our handmade factory and, in contrast, in Dudson's state-of-the-art modern facility.
"Their visit will include a tour of the factory, meeting some of the 140 employees of the company, including more than twenty hand decorators. They will also visit the factory shop and decorating studio where children from Smallthorne Primary School will be decorating mugs.
"This is a great honour for the company."
Museum staff unpack the hoard: Page 19
19 Comments
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by jane, Potteries
Friday, February 19 2010, 7:14PM
“I think its a good thing that they have shown interest in the City and the Museum,ect.If you insult the Royal Family you insult our Country and for one im proud to be British.”
by Ernie Docksey, Stoke on Trent
Friday, February 19 2010, 7:07PM
“What most people commenting on this visit seem to forget is all the good work that the Princes Trust does with the young and homeless, also the money generated by tourism because we have a monarchy.
Just get off your soap boxes and be proud to be British!!”
by Craig, Manchester
Wednesday, February 17 2010, 1:28PM
“I have no problems with the royal visit, apart from who is paying for all of work being done in preparation of the visit?
( Painting of lamp columns, corridors etc, and especially the security). Yes youve guessed right the people of stoke and the tax payer.”
by John, Stoke on trent
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 8:20PM
“Stu,So we have nice little island hey !!! well i think you need to get out and travel a bit more.”
by Stu, Staffs
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 7:52PM
“Rob, we have a nice little island thanks. I suggest you need to find a different one!”
by paul, wolstanton
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 6:33PM
“Todays news on signal radio,the Princes trust is to rescue a potbank saving 40 jobs. Now say sorry lol”
by Matt, Tunstall
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 6:07PM
“Where was his royal highness when the local industry was crumbling?
Where was his royal highness when his people needed him the most, to encourage and help onto better things.
It takes an event to celebrate that the city is officially 10 years old. Wasting money and time on something that's irrelevant to most people as there problems are real and present, and won't go away with a bit of bunting and a day out in Tunstall park.
If this man is to be a future leader (in the moralistic way) then one day of shaking hands isn't the way to do it.
He should come down, more regular, and do some real people work.”
by Rob, Stoke
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 6:01PM
“Brian I also served for 6 years in the Army.
Just because you have served in the forces does not mean you have to bow down to royals. I love my country and served proudly, but I am not a royalist and never have been.
More and more people in this country are non-royalists and the numbers are growing, if you want to bow down to these people, I suggest you and your find a nice little island and you can serve them all you like.”
by Brian, Talke
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 4:36PM
“What most of the posters on here don't seem to understand is that the Royal family represent our country and to insult them is to insult the country. As an ex serviceman I would be proud to shake HRHs hand but would be reluctant to be in tge same room as some party hack elected by politicians to be a President, surely if you don't like living in a Constitutional Monarchy you know the answer without me telling you what it is.”
by Stu, Beaconsfield
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 3:23PM
“Serves you right Rob, you can't refuse to do as you are told by people far more important than you and I, and quite right too!”