🧢 Wedgwood carries he message ‘made in Stoke-on-Trent’ worldwide
Here’s a story which reminds everyone that not only is there is a V&A Museum in Stoke-on-Trent - but also that it contains items of global interest. Exclusive to the Perc Tucker Regional Gallery in Townsville, Australia, this year, Wedgwood: Artists and Industry is currently showcasing highlights from over 200 years of Wedgwood ceramics and design - “straight from the UK’s Victoria and Albert Museum”. This exhibition, created by the V&A runs to 24 August, before it continues its worldwide tour.
🧢 Lights, camera, action!
Last August, the Agence de Développment Touristique des Ardennes welcomed Les Coflocs to the Cabaret Vert. The reason? To give them a 100% Ardennes experience: of the concerts in the evening... and a tour of the region during the day. Vanlifers, travel enthusiasts and storytellers, Les Coflocs criss-crossed the Ardennes on their adventures. Amongst the items featured is a gourmet tasting of Rethel’s famous white pudding, bike rides on the Voie verte Sud-Ardennes, paddle boarding on Lake Bairon, a guided tour of Charleville-Mézières, the Verlaine Museum, a visit to Mouzon, and its Felt Museum. The Result? A superb video of just over 2 minutes that reflects the diversity and richness of this part of France. Find further details with an English translation, by scrolling down here.
🧢 This week’s ‘Top Pick’ @WeightmanPR: Derby Summer Book Festival
The 10th anniversary of the Derby Book Festival’s Summer Festival will take place from Friday 23 May to Sunday 1 June, celebrating a decade of literary events. This year’s programme will feature 60 book-related events across the city, covering everything from conspiracy theories to cricket, railways to running. Venues include Derby QUAD, Derby College, Derby Theatre, Artcore, and Derby Museums. A list of all the events on offer, with quick links to make booking even easier, can be found here. Some highlights include: Alan Johnson on Harold Wilson; a preview screening of the movie The Salt Path; an evening with James Naughtie; an evening with Poet Laureate Simon Armitage; Chloe Dalton on Raising Hare; Lucy Mangan on Bookish. And not forgetting travel writer Ben Aitken on Shitty Breaks: A Celebration of Unsung Cities.
🧢 Stoke-on-Trent market named best in Staffordshire
And finally… A Stoke-on-Trent market which dates back over 150 years has been named the best in Staffordshire. Longton Victorian Market clinched the title of ‘Staffordshire Market of the Year’ at the Our Staffordshire News’ Business, Charity, Community and Food Awards 2025. Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, regeneration and infrastructure at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “Our markets are really important to our local communities and this award is testament to that. All of our traders and our dedicated markets team work tirelessly to make sure our markets remain at the heart of our town centres, so I would like to pass on my huge congratulations to them”.
