"Wembley Here We Come".

Sat 9th - Sat 16th April.

Celebrating Stoke's progress in the FA Cup - Could this be the year? And raising cash for the children on the wards at The University Hospital of North Staffordshire and the Stoke City Old Boys' Association.

Find out more here

THE BIG "A" DEBATE

As part of a series of events to commemorate The Miners' Strike and celebrate the mining industry, Theartbay Gallery  put on a "Question Time" style debate at The Forum Theatre in Hanley to discuss the legacy of The Miners' Strike over the last 25 years; an episode in Britain''s recent past which affected millions of people, both directly and indirectly. Judging by the levels of emotion in The Forum Theatre on the evening of Wednesday 3, I feel vindicated that we should have raised this issue. It is clear that the humanitarian cost of The Miners' Strike 1984-1985 is immeasurable.

We've received many complementary comments from audience members and panellists alike about the production and execution of the event. Everybody who was there enjoyed themselves and many, according to the people we spoke to, were able to get a few things off their chest that they'd been bottling up for 25 years; after all, this was the first opportunity for the public to quiz senior politicians about The Strike and the following de-industrialisation that took place. 

One of the exciting things for us was that people were there from all over the country (Durham, Nottingham, Derby, Wales, Coventry) - which was our intention from the beginning; coming to Stoke; spending in Stoke. We wanted Stoke-on-Trent to host a debate about the NATIONAL legacy of The Strike. There were few parochial references. I was also pleased about the wide range of ages there. It was an educational, as well as a, long overdue, scrutiny event.

And this is the way forward for Stoke-on-Trent. To look forward and outward in attracting people to Stoke-on-Trent for reasons other than ceramics, Stoke City FC and The Staffordshire Hoard. It could also be a springboard for future community engagement events in the city - particularly if Mr. Van der Laarschot means what he says about transparency and accountability. We can then further raise the level of political debate in Stoke-on-Trent and the awareness of what's going on at The Civic Centre; which can only be a good thing in terms of moving the city forward as a united force. Community, officers and elected representatives pulling in a common direction.

As organiser, Theartbay, Fenton, would like to thank the following:

The panellists – Edwina Currie, George Galloway MP, Ken Loach, David Hencke and Mike Nattrass MEP;

The chairman – Oliver Speight;

Liaison – Jilly Stubbs, Sue Law-Webb;

Reception – Sid and Kendal Kirkham;

Microphones – Stephanie Boden, Damian Rowe, Darren Smallwood, Joanne Clews, Louise Smith;

Film – Andrew Stuart, James Bell and Staffs Live Film Crew;

Strike footage soundtrack – Steve Shaw;

The "Big A" logo – Harry Davies;

Photography – Dave Chesters.

We would also like to thank Laura Mcmullan BBC, Terry Walsh BBC Radio Stoke, Tony Walley and Mike Rawlins at Pitsnpots, Martin Tideswell and Mike Sassi of The Sentinel, Clare Short, Tony Benn, Peter Tatchell, Mike Stubbs, Brenda Procter, Harry Davies, Steve Shaw, Mark Fisher, Mick Bell and Martin Hulme.

Finally I'd like to thank the audience for their attendance and involvement. Although mainstream media, with a few notable exceptions, to whom we are sincerely grateful, have generally abandoned the millions affected by the de-industrialisation that's taken place over the last 25 years, there was enough passion on display that night to confirm that we don't and won't forget.

ALAN GERRARD

Theartbay Gallery

China Crisis - Aitch

An expressionist exhibition focusing on the decline of industry in the UK.

New originals, limited editions and fine art calendars available from Theartbay Gallery.

From Saturday 4th December - Saturday 18th December.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday by appointment only on 01782 844222