A new community workshop at Spode Museum on Saturday 12th September will invite people from across Stoke-on-Trent to explore the city’s deep connections to the historic clay industry while creating mosaic tiles from original Spode ceramic shards.
The event is part of Winning the Clay, an Arts and Humanities Research Council–funded research project led by Dr Rebecca Nunes, Associate Professor at Staffordshire University, in collaboration with Sophy Rickett, Reader at University of the Arts London. The project investigates the cultural, social and environmental legacies of ball clay, a rare material formed over millions of years in South Devon’s Bovey Basin and transported to the Potteries for centuries.
Ball clay’s plasticity and burning properties made it the “secret ingredient” that enabled industrial ceramics processes at Wedgwood, Spode and other major manufacturers. This small but powerful component shaped the development of sanitary ware and global ceramics production in Stoke-on-Trent.
Despite its importance, many of the stories connected to ball clay remain unknown. Winning the Clay aims to change that by gathering community knowledge, memories and experiences, and by inviting residents to help “tell better stories” about the material’s role in shaping the Potteries.
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.”
A hands-on creative session exploring local heritage
The free workshop at Spode Museum will combine creative making with informal conversation. Participants will:
- Create mosaic tiles using authentic Spode ceramic shards
- Learn about the hidden histories of ball clay and its links to Stoke-on-Trent
- Share their own knowledge, memories or questions about clay and ceramics
- Contribute to a major research project shaping future heritage interpretation
The session is open to people living in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, including former residents with connections to the ceramics industry or local clay landscapes. Although the session isn’t designed for children and the mosaic activity is not suitable for children, people interested in joining the session are welcome to bring their children along if it helps them take part.
Community voices needed: take part in the Ball Clay Survey
Alongside the workshop, the research team is inviting residents to complete a short anonymous survey exploring what people know, or don’t know, about ball clay and its role in the Potteries. The survey takes around five minutes and will help researchers understand how local communities experience and remember the clay industry.
Event details
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
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