“Have thought this out a little now, and am of the opinion that the inclination I initially had towards Sir Oliver Lodge was the correct one.
I believe John Abberley perhaps did a feature on him in the past? Sir oliver lodge has been described as a scientific genius and arguably the greatest of all the illustrious sons/and daughters, of the potteries.
He left school at 14, (in this day and age, under this government and with this council, he would probably have been unable to read or write, and probably be incoherent). He however worked with his father for a time providing "ball" clay and glazes for the pottery industry. His interests were science and chemistry The family had by this time moved from the house of his birth ,in Penkhul, (a house that in later years Sir Stanley Matthews lived in) to a house in Wolstanton, where he carried out many experiments. Suffice to say he progressed with his education and was at age 30 a professor of physics, he went on to become the first principal of Birmingham University College. He was an author a lecturer and broadcaster. He was the first man to transmit a radio signal, he was the inventor of the spark plug, ( the older ones amongst you will remember "Lodge" spark plugs, his sons however developed this business) He invented the moving coil loudspeaker, he worked on the removal of dust and other particulates using thermal & thermostatic precipitation, (he in fact invented smoke scrubbers) Something we will no doubt need today when we are driven to open the mines again and fuel coal fired power-stations, and probably re-introduce the town gas works, when the Russians cut off our gas. (that is if the government don't leave it to late). He was a correspondent with John Rankin,he played golf with the prime minister of the day, Arthur Balfour. His interests were catholic, he embraced art, literature politics and particularly science.
After losing a son in the great war he became interested in spiritualism and in his own inimitable manner wrote many books on this subject. This is only a precis of his life and achievements, numerous things that we take for granted today, are as a result of his scientific brilliance
He wasn't however self promoting,as many nice people, his discoveries were often developed by others, so many of you may not be aware of him, or that he is a son of Stoke-on-Trent, long before it became a joke, and a sick city associated with ineptitude, dirt, dereliction and incompetence,
Finally I don't think he was ever on "top of the Pops" or took drugs or abused alcohol, so in this city his chances are looking slim.”

“Have not thought this out, just responded instinctively when I heard our worthies are to make the choice .I believe that the centenary is All this year, hopefully many of them will have been resigned to the home for the confused, later this year, so their choice is not of any significance,(as are most of their choices).No significance in content but highly significant to the people who have to bear the brunt of their lunacy.
Let the people choose,even if it means the inevitable, footballer or pop icon. A sports person of note is Phil, although as you may have ascertained my choice would not be in the field of sports persons or pop folk.I have not researched a "list" of Stoke-on-Trent worthwhile nominees, there must be quite a few from when S-o-T was not called Joke-on-Trent. Give the people The choice, let us decide.”

“Six Towns? Arnold will be spinning in his grave! Maybe the Lord Mayor's car could now have V1 SOT instead. Who ever instigated this '5 Towns' mullarky in the first place? Why hasn't Fenton rebelled? All ears....”

“From the top, Stan Mathews footballer? Nope was born here played all over, so hardly inspirational other than he was an absolute gentleman, and pretty good at Football.

Millicent is out straight away not from Stoke and lived in Stafford Borough plus how can you respect a Sutherland, after the Highland Clearances etc.
Reg Mitchell, No Newcastillian.
Phil Taylot Nope Couldn¿t get out of Stoke quick enough, same for Robbie, and if suggested the Turners.
Doug Brown assisted in the founding of Ladsand Dads, not really.
Clarice Cliff yep weird Pottery, avant garde, Nope, commercial pottery manufacturer of pretty trinkety things.
Arnold Bennet got out of Stoke faster than Taylor and Robbie, perhaps better known for his omelette recipe in our house ,nice.
The Sick City boys Smith Ashley and Company not really not Apolitical, lives bogged down with dogma and dedication to lost causes.
Sir Oliver Lodge can stake his name though on the list, at least he stayed and his work was amazingly before his time.
I think the Citizen of the last Century should go to no single individual, it should be awarded to the people of the Potteries, all those who worked in absolutely squalid conditions in the Mines, quarries and pot banks, all those who fought in the 1st World War and stayed in France or where ever and in the 2nd World War, those who died of emphacyma, or coughed up black dust, till they too departed those people who wandered round with rickets. Those that were driven out of Industries by Thatcher, Steel Coal or fought Civil campaigns against the ills of the Poll Tax etc. Those who are so desperate now for the leadership of politicians during the last quarter of the century, and were betrayed who now look to the Right Wing Parties for a sense of direction. And more and more of common people that live in Stoke and battle through a myriad of adversities, these are the citizens that make Stoke STOKE.
The award should go to these CITIZENS celebrate them they have earned the award.”

“"but Sentinel readers are today being asked to comment on the shortlist and suggest other names of notable individuals from the city."

Where should suggestions be sent?

I'd like to add Tin Can Man, Cudger, Ted Smith”