Bus Rallye in Gladstone

This are some pictures of a Bus Rallye held in Gladstone carpark in Longton. Industrial heritage, and automotive heritage together. Very lively, with sme stalls and reasonable visitors. Good to see old buses back on the road again. Just like time has stopped.

Gladstone Pottery Museum, is a impressive place, just for those interested in , for a while, really stop the clock. A place that shows that the Potteries were once a Industrial hub and a very important place, supplying ceramics worldwide and providing thousands of jobs. A place to visit compulsory. Even more than once.

Trentham charging money for walks

View from the top of the "Trentham eye". People who go there walking around the lake DO spend money ...Not for long, im affraid...


I always enjoyed going to Trentham Gardens. Most of the posts in this blog are from my visits there. But now, they start charging money ( big money) for walks around the lake. I understand this is a private propriety, and it has its costs, but i gennuinely believe this is going to put people off. Me included.

As for the argument of people walking there not spending money, well, everytime I go there I spend money in the shops, in the Garden Center, and even in the big Wheel. Now, I will go somewhere else. Because with that money, I can afford to put petrol in the car and go somewhere else. Yesterday, I was in Tamworth Castle. Never been there. Next time I will go to Rudyard Lake. Or somewhere else. Daft thing put a charge on a walk specially in credit crunch times!

I think TG should think about putting ther price for the walks down. Time will tell.

The Loop line, and the Stoke Railway heritage

By Limekiln bank: A last bit of Stoke discarded industrial heritage

I just read one of those special editions of " the Sentinel", called " the way we were". This issue, it speaks about trains and their memories. In one of the pages, there is a picture of Hanley Railway station. I cant feel but very sad, not to be able to identify the spot where the station used to be.

It is very sad, very disappointing, that such a great heritage like railway lines and its stations just vanished for good, not leaving a simple trace. It was as it never existed!

Back at work, more dissapointing: " There used to be a railway line just in the back"- They told me... " And Anchor Road used to be a railway line!"... That was it! I had to go and look for the last traces of railways in Stoke on Trent, and have a sip of what it used to be.

Loop line, Loop Line...Come on! Doesnt this words spark the Nostalgia bug in you?

I know, we have remarkable examples of heritage railways, such as Foxfield and another one going Wetley Rocks way. ( I cant remember the name right now) But imagine, if we could have that,in the City Center! Imagine the value for tourism. I , as a visitor of the city, and a humble guest of the region, I thrill with the thought!

I start my search near the Limekiln bank, near all those cars dealers. On the road to Abbey Hulton, just as you leave the car dealers, a remarkable example of the Loop line still intact, with the railings and bridge ! That would require a bicycle! I went home to get one, and returned the next day.

There is a path of still untouched railway, that could still be used for Heritage, if only enthusiasts could be found. In Festival Park, by the Sentinel Offices, another railway bridge, on which if you stand looking towards Hanley, you could see the spot , where eventually the completely erasured Hanley Railway station used to be.

Once again, I, as a visitor, cant stop thinking how interesting this town would have been in the railways time. In the Steam era. Those engines chugging along the bottlekilns, couldn,t get more British Industrial than that. If this City decided to play the "Industrial Heritage" card, it would be a very interesting tourist place worldwide. Stoke is a very interesting town, but must stop think otherwise and build more self esteem. And its railway heritage, if possible. People would forever be in debt of grattitude.

End of the line for the Kings arms

Is it me,or it is very sad to see landmarks going?

I know,I dont live in Stoke-on-Trent for so long , and I never had an opportunity to go and have a pint at the Kings,but is sad to see such a building going this way. Just opposite, there was the Broadway, only seen in period pictures now.

I know,its the progress.But local peoples identity with the place they always knew, is something important too. People want to recognise the place they call home. Imagine coming home after some time, and see your playground levelled by an highway? It is sad.

I hope, people incharge dont start to look at Meir,as a place to build outrageously large green boxes, that are a eyesore. Are we having one, for the Kings site?

Hanley Forest Park

Yes. This was a pile of Industrial waste, and a swamp...

It must be something remarkable, to transform a pile of rubble and a swamp in such an attractive place. We all go there now and then, and take it for granted. Another green space, in the green Staffordshire. Been there,done that.

But this was a dump! This was an outrageous pain in the landscape, and a eyesoring patch of industrial refuse. There must have been some love involved in the whole process of requalifying this area. It is a awesome place. One I like the most, to be honest.

Going up that hill, coughing off all the smoke I inhale daily, only to get to the top and be greeted by a magnificient view of Stoke-upon-Trent, looking South, and even glance Jodrell Bank looking North.It is worthwhile.

A stone throw from Central Hanley. A place I enjoy going.

Trentham Monkey Forest

Walk this way: A nice way to recharge your batteries...

You must keep pinching yourself, trying very hard to keep in mind that this place is actually in Stoke!

Shame for the long queue on the entrance. But it does worth it. Once inside, here you are in presence of a outrageously beautiful and calm forest, where you can almost chew the smell of the green leafs. Wonderful.

I went on a Saturday. A sunny Saturday. As one would expect, was packed to the front door. Nevertheless, plenty of room to walk and see our friends ancestors doing what they like best: Scratching and jumping about.

The nature was kind to the Trentham estate.

A nice walk, Through the shadows of a valley full of trees, where the Sun hardly has permission to get in. Sipping all that atmosphere, and pure ,untouched air. Great.

It is not about the monkeys. It´s about the whole experience. A good place to chill out. Take a book, and some food, as there are some tables under some trees. The kids have slides and all that, which would keep you at ease to enjoy this atmosphere.

Monkey business: Getting rid of some "free riders"...

It is not very cheap,though. 25 quid for a family, it is not really on a budget. But now and then, it is a good choice for a day out.

Would I return? Of course.

Press

I am a correspondent for some media abroad, and I live and work in Stoke on Trent. I have some Background writing and in engineering. English is not my first language.

For any issue regarding this blog, or my views about Stoke or even the UK, I would be much obliged to collaborate with any media.

Please contact me at

Transmig ( at) gmail.com