Just like Werburgh,  Queen Aethelflaed has nearly been forgotten by history. Thanks to Tom Holland we can now discover the epic history of England’s influential, but mostly forgotten, Queen Aethelflaed through his fabulous new Ladybird book.
​Listen to author Tom share the story of this formidable leader, pulling her out of the shadowy history of the dark ages, at Festival in a Factory in June.
Two winners will each win 2 tickets to hear Tom present his book At Festival in a Factory on Saturday June 8th 3.30pm simply by ‘liking’ the post on our Facebook page!
Feel free to comment and tell us why you would love to win! 
Two lucky winners will be chosen at random! 
​Check out more brilliant events at Festival in a Factory too!

Have you seen the beautiful flowers starting to appear around Stoke?  Check out the market place, and there are more to come this year!

Nic Winstanley is working on a design for a waymarker to go alongside the canal in Stoke, based on the theme of 'Hospitality & Welcome', one of the Seven Values Waymarkers for the Werburgh and the Wild Goose project.
She is running a free workshop at Stoke Market on Saturday 23rd March 2019.
Nic writes:
"For Saxon people, offering food & shelter to visitors and those seeking refuge was part of their culture, so I feel that Stoke Indoor Market is an ideal location to explore this theme. The Market is fast becoming a hub for the community, offering a vast array of quality goods from friendly and welcoming stallholders."
At the workshop people will carve vegetables from the fruit and veg stall into mini sculptures and working musical instruments that would go on to inspire the design of the Waymaker. Artists Nic and Anne will help participants with the carving and making their instruments.
Do call in on Saturday - the event is free to join in with, but if you are part of a group of more than five people please would you contact Anne in advance.  
anne@lettinginthelight.org.uk
This project is supported by Arts Council England

If you are involved in a group that would like to get involved in the Greening Stoke project this year, please contact Anne:
anne@lettinginthelight.org.uk   01782 714776

Join us as we explore potential canal-side locations for beautiful Werburgh waymarkers with artist Kate Robinson and take part in creating patterns and designs in response to the Saxon stories.

​Tuesday 5th February 2019
10.00 - 11.30 Starting at Baskeyfield House, Burslem.  ST6 3PR
Enjoy making wild geese at the Baskeyfield House Cafe and join us in walking down to the canalside near Olivers' Mill.

Wednesday 6th February 2019
11.00 - 12.30 starting next to Etruria Canal Museum. ST1 4RB
​Take a Canalside Wander starting next to Etruria Museum looking at a potential new site for a beautiful new sculpture along the canal.
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At these free events you will have the chance to join in exploring the story of St. Werburgh for our exciting new arts and heritage project Werburgh and the Wild Goose. 
We will be visiting the potential site for two beautiful new sculptures alongside the Trent and Mersey canal.
Meet Sculptor Kate Robinson, have a wander to the canal, enjoy a warm drink, imagine times gone by and help to bring the sculpture to life! 
Take a Canalside Wander starting next to Etruria Museum looking at a potential new site for a beautiful new sculpture along the canal.

Find out more about Kate Robinson and her beautiful work at https://www.katerobinsononline.com

Friday, 11 January 2019, 17:30-20:30
Space next to Spode Arch Entrance, Church Street, Stoke.  ST4 1RB

Alice Thatcher was Artist in Residence at Art Stop Stoke from August to November 2018. In addition to hosting very well received workshops, she used the time to individually experiment with new techniques.
Alice’s porcelain paper work reflects ideas of fragility, material transformation and human relationships. Her aim is to challenge the perceptions of porcelain and paper by creating visually ambiguous work. The drop in sessions gave participants the opportunity to experiment using a new material in a unique way, whilst allowing Alice to work with others, experimenting with new techniques in a socially engaged setting.

​The work created during the residency will be exhibited at this final event. Complimentary refreshments will be available.

Illustration by Sylvia Bull

Join ceramic artist Alice Thatcher for the next relaxed and fun session at Art Stop Stoke.
Participate in the creation of works to be exhibited at the final show of her residency with Festival Stoke later in the year. During this free drop in workshop you will be producing delicate porcelain pieces which will be created using printing and forming techniques.
Bring along a favourite book, poem or quote to use in the making of the pieces.
108 Church Street, Stoke. ST4 1BU

New dates announced for drop-in workshops!