mis 27 Stoke Wakes – the Annual Potteries Knees-Up.

Samuel Doncaster, (1772-1842) originating from Stone. He had two brothers, Henry, born 1768, and the Rev John Doncaster, born 1769, who resided at Newcastle. Samuel and Henry were both engravers and worked together at the workshop in Swynnerton ‘s Lane, Penkhull. They employed three people, Hancock, Greatbatch and Smith. Greatbatch went on to work for Mr Minton and Smith for Mr Spode (note Greatbatch Avenue). Brothers Henry and Samuel produced work for Spode, Minton, and Davenport.  Henry Doncaster assisted another engraver, Mr Turner, in the development of the plates for the Willow Pattern for Mr Minton. In the account books of Minton there are numerous entries of payments to Mr Doncaster for work conducted on their behalf. In recognition of the work undertaken by Henry Doncaster, Swynnertons Lane was changed to Doncaster Lane.

Far more details in the three page artical including photographs of the Lane.

The formal opening of the majestic, the latest picture house in the district situated in Campbell Place Stoke was held before a large invited guest list.in . The building is architecturally admirable, ihaving  so many advantages over other buildings used for the same purpose that it is certain to become extremely popular place of resort.

A gallery, holding around two hundred, is so well pitched that every seat holder can be sure of an uninterrupted view of the screen, and at the same remark applies to the holders of eight hundred seats on the ground floor. The seats themselves are exceedingly comfortable, and there is a roominess about the place which will be generally appreciated. In another respect the architect Mr R T Longsden of Stoke and Burslem is to be congratulated. The building is splendidly ventilated. Notwithstanding the crowded state of the hall the atmosphere on Saturday afternoon remained practically the same throughout the 2 ½ hours that the entertainment lasted. Early in the proceedings a message was thrown on to the screen from the Mayor and Mayoress, (Alderman Philip Elliott and Mrs Elliott), were spending a short and well-earned holiday in Harrogate, expressing regret of being unable to attend, and successful future. One feature which is to distinguish the house of entertainment will meet with public recognition. The management has engaged a small band consisting of a piano, a violinist, a cello player, a clarinettist, and a double bass player. The men are very capable players and have good instruments. On this occasion, they provide music which synchronised with the picture subjects. Thus, during the exhibition of the principal film, a four-part historic picture ‘Napoleon,’ the band played the Marsellaise and snatches of the famous 1812 of Tchaikovsky.  The pictures also included the Kentish industries, Tiny Tim, the Letter Writer – a drama, With Eyes, so Blue and Tender, Troubles of a flirt, That Suit So blue, General Bunco’s victory and the Pathe Gazette. Tonight, will be given exclusively a sporting drama, in the hands of London crooks. One additional feature of the new cinema that it had tip-up seats. A nice piece of Social History at 1000 words in two pages with photographs.

My guess is that few in the city are aware that Hanley Town Hall has become redundant because of council services being amalgamated with better use of council stock. This prominent Hanley building became a town hall in 1886, prior to which it was the prestigious Queens Hotel. Sadly, for a combination of reasons its life as a hotel extended just less than twenty years, but no one has over the last one hundred and forty odd years explored its demise, and yet its short life is full of intrigue and wonder as to why the most attractive building in North Staffordshire closed its doors.

The need for such a hotel came about because from the late 18^th century, the combined townships of Hanley and Shelton were rapidly expanding with Hanley as the central town of the six and where most of local business was conducted and meetings were held.

In 1857, because of its growth and importance, the township of Hanley with Shelton become the first incorporated borough of the six towns leaving the other five behind. It became the prominent town of the Potteries where its leaders and influential businesspeople were set on a course for Hanley to become the central and most important town in North Staffordshire.

With its new-found status of a county borough, the town council and leading citizens came to realise that to attract new business to the town that a hotel which outshone all others was important to its growth. As a result, they came together to form the Hanley Hotel Company in July 1864 offering four thousand shares at £5 each for sale. Hanley, they declared was the centre of the Potteries and frequented by china and earthenware dealers, commercial travellers and as such there was an urgent need for public functions and superior accommodation associated with a progressive town like Hanley. Indeed it was the most impressive hotel in all of the potteries six towns.

This four page history identifies the trials and tribulations that fell onto the Queens until it was purchased by Hanley Borough Council. A further good read of how a depressed financial state of the period can loose such a building. Four Pages.