Hello Stokies!
The sun is out, Wimbledon had us all gripped, Glastonbury brought the vibes and the City of Stoke-on-Trent smashed a world record!
On Tuesday July 8th at 11am across Stoke-on-Trent and the world we hosted a massive tea party to celebrate the city’s Centenary. With 15,000 people, 200 locations and 5 World Record Hubs we achieved the Guinness World Record for the World’s Biggest Cream Tea Party across multiple venues - a truly unforgettable day!
Make a Difference: The Future Ready Pledge
Beyond the tea party, we're also making meaningful strides to support disadvantaged young people in our city - including those leaving the care system - through the Future Ready Pledge. This initiative is a collaborative effort with the Chamber of Commerce, YMCA, and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
Each year, over 120 young people transition out of the care system, and they need our support. We're calling on the Made in Stoke network to step up and offer anything from work experience to apprenticeships or even full-time roles.
We're proud to say that over 29 businesses have already committed, but we need many more to join us. Our fantastic team members, Deb and Julie, can provide more details. Please email us at deb@madeinstoke.com and julie@madeinstoke.com to learn how your company can get involved.
Enjoy the summer and make the most of the many free events on offer as part of the Centenary year celebrations.
Dwain McDonald
Executive Lead
Life-Changing Opportunity: Stoke to Canada
Nick Faunus, a Made in Stoke partner, connected with the city to see how he could offer once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to young people from Stoke-on-Trent.
Over the past few years, Nick has supported over 20 young people to visit his organic farm in Canada, fully funding their trip and all travel costs. His overwhelming generosity and kindness in not only funding but also hosting these residential programmes have had a profound impact on all those who have been lucky to receive the opportunity. Every year, a different cohort of young people travel to Canada, immerse themselves in rural farm life and bear witness to the inspiration that Nick and his team offer.
This year, Adam is one of the young people taking up this opportunity, and before his trip, he shared his thoughts and feelings on this new adventure he will embark on in a few short weeks.
“The residential opportunity to go to Canada gives me a whole new idea of what my life can be like. In my early life I haven’t had many chances to travel so when I heard about this trip, I was eager to put my name forward. I am really excited to meet new people, experience different cultures and live on a farm which is so different to where I live right now. When I first heard the news that I was going I thought ‘damn this is going to be the time of my life and an out of this world experience’.
Something I am really open to is learning about farm life. Having done a little bit of research on the herbs we will be working with, I am looking forward to diving in and learning new things.”
Arnold Bennett Prize Winner Joins Made in Stoke Community
We’re thrilled to welcome Scablands author Jonathan Taylor, the 2025 winner of the prestigious Arnold Bennett Book Prize, to our Made in Stoke community.
Born and raised in Trentham, Jonathan's connection to Stoke-on-Trent runs deep - both personally and creatively. His award-winning short story collection Scablands is partly set in the city, and his literary journey was shaped right here - his life was changed when he first read Bennett’s Clayhanger while studying at the City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College at the age of 17.
He said: “I remember reading Clayhanger in the common room at the college and it was the first book that made me cry because he was writing about an ill father and I had an ill father. It was the first time I’d seen my own experiences reflected in a book.” Jonathan added: “It really does mean a lot when your home city recognises you.”
Now an Associate Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Leicester, Jonathan is committed to giving back to his hometown. He’s offering mentoring and writing workshops to inspire the next generation of Stoke storytellers.
You can catch him in person at Trentham Library on 26 July, where he’ll host a creative writing micro residency as part of the Restoking the Potteries Narrative: 100 Books in a 100 Years, a project to commemorate the centenary of Stoke on Trent.
For more information and to book visit: https://www.lisablower.co.uk/restoking-the-potteries-narrative-100-books-in-a-100-years/micro-residencies/
Stoke-on-Trent smashes the Guinness World Record Attempt!
The people of Stoke-on-Trent are officially world record holders, after the city smashed a Guinness World Record.
Around 15,000 people came together across 200 venues on Tuesday, 8th July, breaking the world record for the largest cream tea party held across multiple venues.
The event was held to mark 100 years of city status as people came together across the city to share jam and cream scones and a cup of tea in a bid to make history.
Guinness World Records adjudicators attended five venues – the Victoria Hall, Hanley; DoubleTree by Hilton, Festival Park; Jubilee Hall, Stoke Town Hall; Stoke Minster and NatWest Bank, Hanley - to formally verify the record.
Tea and scones were enjoyed by 777 people across the five officially-verified venues – successfully breaking the previous record and making Stoke-on-Trent’s Centenary year even more unforgettable.
Stoke-on-Trent's twin city, Erlangen in Germany, also held a number of tea parties to celebrate the record attempt. The city's mayor - and a number of nurseries, schools, care homes, community groups - all took part to support Stoke-on-Trent.
Steve Adams, Chief Executive Community Foundation for Staffordshire & Shropshire said: “That’s how you win a world record attempt! The true winner in this is our fantastic city, and this event demonstrated how much unity exists in Stoke-on-Trent. People, charities and businesses from all walks of life, all backgrounds and all environments have come together to celebrate our city and work together for one goal. It just goes to show how much we can achieve when we all pull together. That’s what makes Stoke great, and now we hold the record the world will know it too!”
Councillor Steve Watkins, the Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, said: “What an incredible way to mark our centenary year, by officially breaking the record for the world’s biggest tea party and bringing thousands of people together in a true show of unity and community spirit.
“This wasn’t just about the numbers - it was about celebrating who we are, a city built on pride, resilience and togetherness. Vis unita fortior – united strength is stronger – is our motto. And today we proved exactly that, by coming together and being record breakers. Congratulations to everyone who took part, wherever you took part - you’ve made history, and you’ve done Stoke-on-Trent proud.”
Your Business Can Change a Life
Join the many local businesses who’ve already signed the Future Ready Pledge - and help prepare young people in our community who have experienced disadvantage for the world of work.
From family-run shops to major employers - no matter your size or sector - your business can spark confidence, purpose, and opportunity in a young person’s life.
Whether it's offering work experience, mentoring, apprenticeships, your involvement sends a clear message: we believe in our young people. And when local businesses stand behind them, the whole community benefits.
To find out more and sign up to the Future Ready Pledge click here: https://staffordshirechambers.co.uk/the-future-ready-pledge/
Speakers in Schools Programme
Can you spare some time to ignite young minds? We’re calling on the Stoke diaspora to sign up for our Speakers in Schools Programme where we connect inspirational role models from all career paths and backgrounds to schools across Staffordshire by sharing their fascinating journeys - the highs and hurdles!
You can find out more by following the link below or contact kaye@madeinstoke.com
Big love,
