United Strength is Stronger: Council backs motion to honour the city for its Centenary

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has today (Thursday 5 June) called on everyone to unite in their support to honour the city as it celebrates its Centenary.

The council convened in a special Centenary session to commemorate 100 years since Stoke-on-Trent was granted city status.

The motion called on all in the city to join together in the spirit of ‘United Strength’ and to celebrate ‘our history and heritage, honour our people and achievements, and pledge itself to a future built on unity, strength and hope’.

The meeting, taking place on the very first Stoke-on-Trent Day forms part of a much wider programme of events celebrating 100 years of city status, which have captured the imagination of people in Stoke-on-Trent as well as much further afield.

The debate took place following the procession of the city’s regalia into the King’s Hall – bringing together civic regalia for each of the towns for the first time in history, with the chains of office not being used in a meeting for over 100 years.

The regalia includes the newly created Fenton Mace – designed by students from the University of Stafford to complete the city’s regalia.

Local historian Fred Hughes led invited guests through the events of 5 June, 1925 and Centenary Poet Laureate, Nick Degg, performed a brand-new poem he penned for Stoke-on-Trent Day.

The city council Staff Choir performed Angels by Stoke-on-Trent pop legend Robbie Williams and Six Towns One City – an original song written by for the Centenary by a member of the staff choir.

Afterwards, the Stoke-on-Trent Youth Council looked forward to the future ambitions of the city and how they may pan out over the next 100 years.

Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Councillor Steve Watkins, said: “It’s an honour to be Lord Mayor of this great city as we celebrate the very first Stoke-on-Trent Day. It’s a chance for everyone who loves this city - from our diverse local communities to those who have moved away - to come together and celebrate our shared heritage and future.

“Today we’re calling on everyone in our city - residents, businesses, and institutions – to join together, in the spirit of “United Strength,” to make sure that Stoke-on-Trent’s next century is one of renewal and shared success.”

For more on the Centenary and what’s happening across the city, visit sot100.org.uk