Re-Form Heritage

07/09/2026

First phase Centenary Restoration Fund Work -James Brindley Statue
Some jobs can't be rushed... especially when every brushstroke counts. Work continues on the James Brindley statue, where the team from UK Restoration Services are carefully repainting the plinth inscriptions as part of the Centenary Restoration Fund.
These works are led by Stoke-on-Trent Council & Re-Form Heritage thanks to a £240,252 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. These works will run until the end of October

04/09/2026

12th & 19th September
Bethesda Chapel Open Days
FREE ENTRY
12 noon to 2pm
An opportunity to visit Bethesda Chapel, once known as the Cathedral of the Potteries. This beautiful Grade II*-listed building seated up to 2500 people in its heyday, making it the largest place of worship in North Staffordshire. Re-Form Heritage / Friends of Bethesda guides will be available to share the history of the building and discuss future plans. The building is currently undergoing a phase of repair works so this is also a chance to see what has been done to date. Pre-Booking is not required for this event.

02/09/2026

Centenary Restoration Fund Phase 2 Tender Applications Now Open!
Re Form Heritage is inviting tenders from experienced conservation contractors to undertake repair works to 9 historic monuments across Stoke-on-Trent as part of Phase 2 of the Centenary Restoration Fund (CRF).
Typical works include:
• cleaning
• redecoration
• repointing
Contractors may submit tenders for one, several, or all monuments.
Works are expected to take place between November 2026 and January 2027. This phase forms part of a wider restoration programme with a total budget of £146,000. These works are led by Stoke-on-Trent Council & Re-Form Heritage thanks to a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
How tenders will be assessed:
• Quality (60%)
• Cost (40%)
Mandatory checks, including proof of insurance and evidence of financial standing, will apply.
Deadline: 11:59pm, Sunday 20 September 2026
More Info: https://re-form.org/news/centenary-restoration-fund-phase-2-tender-applications-now-open/

31/08/2026

We are celebrating Heritage Open Days with a range of FREE events. Have you got your tickets – Hurry limited availability!
11th September - Walking Tour - Exploring Fenton's Monuments & Stories
FREE EVENT - Pre-Booking Required
Time: 1pm - Beginning at Fenton War Memorial
Beginning at Fenton War Memorial and ending at the Glebedale Park Memorial, the walk will explore how local people, industries and communities have shaped Fenton over time, and how these places continue to be remembered and valued today. The walk will end at Glebedale Park, where you are welcome to stay for an informal picnic
16th & 17th September- 1940’s Middleport Pottery Employment Records
10.30am to 1.30pm
FREE ENTRY – PRE-BOOKING REQUIRED
Join us to view our recently indexed employment cards from Burgess and Leigh, recorded between 1941-1942. Search through our list over 500 employment records, and if you find a record you are interested in seeing, our amazing collection volunteers will search out that record for you to view, and photograph if you wish.
We will also have collection items on display, showing some of the objects the different jobs would have used or produced during this time period, many of which are still used on our factory today!
Maybe a relative worked here during this time-period, maybe you want to see what jobs people your age were doing - even if you don't find the exact person you are looking for, you will certainly find something interesting among these records!
19th September - Walking Tour - Exploring Hanley's Monuments & Stories
FREE EVENT - Pre-Booking Required
Time: 2pm - Beginning at Hanley Park Bandstand
Explore Hanley Park & Hanley Cemetery with this fascinating guided walking tour, examining the stories behind some of Hanley's historic sites and the people connected to them.
Discover the lives and legacies of figures including George Howson, John Birchall and Edwin John Hammersley, and explore the connections between Hanley Park and Hanley Cemetery before culminating at the Hanley Cemetery War Memorial, which is about to be restored as part of the Centenary Restoration Fund.
For Tickets & more info on all events visit: https://re-form.org/heritage-buildings/middleport-pottery/whats-on/

29/08/2026

24/08/2026

First phase Centenary Restoration Fund Work - Glebedale Park Memorial
Every restoration starts with good preparation. Before repainting the mine tub at Glebedale Park Memorial, the team have been carefully cleaning it and preparing the surface to ensure a lasting finish.
These works are led by Stoke-on-Trent Council & Re-Form Heritage thanks to a £240,252 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. These works will run until the end of October

18/08/2026

LAST FEW DAYS TO APPLY!
Middleport Pottery Repair Works Tender Applications Now Open!
Re-Form Heritage is inviting tenders for a design team to undertake works from RIBA stage 3 onwards for a scheme of repair works at Grade II* listed Middleport Pottery that would be undertaken through Arts Council for Museum and Development Fund (MEND) Round 6 grant. Grant application will be made by 4th September 2026, with award made by end of March 2027. Repair works would be undertaken between 1st April 2027 and 31st March 2030.
Design team services to include:
• Architect
• Quantity Surveyor
• Structural Engineer
• CDM services
How tenders will be assessed:
• Quality (60%)
• Cost (40%)
Deadline: 5pm, Friday 21st August
Please contact our Heritage Officer to apply: [email protected]
Click here for further information: https://re-form.org/news/middleport-pottery-repair-works-tender-applications-now-open/

17/08/2026

Congratulations to all our Winners and thank you again to all our supporters.
If you are a business owner and interested in sponsoring future events and activities please email [email protected]
As a charity your support plays a significant role in what we are able to achieve so thank you to all our supporters past & present

17/08/2026

THE FIRST PHASE RESTORATION IS NOW TAKING PLACE!
On 10 August the first phase of Centenary Restoration Fund works began to take place on the below eight monuments. These works are led by Stoke-on-Trent Council & Re-Form Heritage thanks to a £240,252 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. These works will run until the end of October
The first phase will focus on 8 monuments across the city:
1. Cenotaph and Memorial Wall, Tunstall Memorial Gardens
2. Sir Henry Doulton Statue, Burslem
3. Swan Square War Memorial, Burslem
4. Drinking Fountain, St John’s Square, Burslem
5. Hanley Cemetery War Memorial
6. Statue of James Brindley, Etruria
7. Tomb of Josiah Wedgwood, Stoke
8. Glebedale Park Memorial, Fenton
The works include a range of conservation repairs tailored to each monument, including cleaning, vegetation and graffiti removal, repointing, stone and paving repairs, redecoration of metal elements, replacement of damaged components, and repairs to features such as memorial walls, plaques, inscriptions, railings, chains, bollards and flagstones. This is only phase one and a total of up to 24 monuments will be restored in total
Why not send your stories and photos of these monuments: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/5mt3vS6zBC