Stoke-on-Trent Residents Invited to Explore Hidden Ceramics History at Spode Museum Workshop

A new community workshop at Spode Museum will give people across Stoke-on-Trent the chance to uncover the city's little-known links to the historic clay industry while creating mosaic artwork from original Spode ceramic shards.

Taking place on Thursday 12 September, the free event forms part of Winning the Clay, a research project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. The project is led by Dr Rebecca Nunes, Associate Professor at University of Staffordshire, in partnership with Sophy Rickett, Reader at the University of the Arts London.

The initiative explores the cultural, social and environmental legacy of ball clay, a rare material formed over millions of years in South Devon's Bovey Basin and transported to the Potteries for centuries.

Although largely unknown outside the ceramics industry, ball clay played a vital role in the growth of Stoke-on-Trent's world-famous pottery sector. Its unique properties made it a key ingredient in industrial ceramics production, helping manufacturers such as Wedgwood and Spode produce pottery on a global scale. The material also contributed to the development of sanitary ware and other ceramic products that helped establish the city's international reputation.

Despite its significance, researchers say many of the stories connected to ball clay have been overlooked.

The Winning the Clay project aims to address this by gathering local memories, experiences and knowledge, helping communities tell a fuller story about the material's impact on the Potteries and the people who worked with it.

Dr Rebecca Nunes said: "Ball clay shaped the Potteries in ways most people never knew. This workshop is a chance for local people to help us uncover those hidden stories while creating something beautiful from Spode's own ceramic history."

Creative Workshop Brings Local Heritage to Life

The hands-on session will combine art, history and community discussion. Participants will create their own mosaic tiles using authentic ceramic fragments from Spode while learning about the hidden history of ball clay and its influence on Stoke-on-Trent's ceramics industry.

Attendees will also be encouraged to share personal memories, knowledge and questions about clay, ceramics and local industrial heritage. Their contributions will help inform ongoing research and future heritage interpretation projects.

The workshop is open to residents of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, including former residents with connections to the ceramics industry or local clay landscapes.

While the mosaic-making activity is not suitable for children and the event is primarily aimed at adults, organisers say parents and carers are welcome to bring children if it enables them to take part.

Residents Encouraged to Share Their Experiences

Alongside the workshop, researchers are calling on local people to complete a short anonymous survey about ball clay and its role in the Potteries.

The survey will help the research team better understand how communities remember and experience the clay industry today.

Organisers hope both the workshop and survey will uncover new stories and perspectives, ensuring the legacy of ball clay and its contribution to Stoke-on-Trent's ceramics heritage is not forgotten.

Winning the Clay: Creative Mosaic Workshop

Date: Saturday 12 September

Time: 10.30am – 12.30pm.

Location: Spode Museum, Stoke-on-Trent

Cost: Free

Booking:  Please email info@winningtheclay.org or complete a registration form at Events | Winning The Clay