The Burslem Port Trust are running a special launch event, ‘The People’s Port of Burslem’ as part of Heritage Open Days on Sunday 19th September, from 11:00 – 16:00.
Join the Trust and local residents for a celebratory unveiling of the new interpretative artworks created by ‘We are Culla’ accompanied by musical performances by ‘Burslem Bakers Choir’ and ‘Bread Band’. There will also be free drop-in screen-printing workshops with ‘We are Culla’ and bread tasting in celebration of the nearby Co-op bakery which originally flanked the canal in its heyday.
Project Manager Laura Wigg-Bailey said: ‘The event is aimed at sharing the history and current ideas around restoring the old branch canal with local people and celebrating the next steps towards that regeneration.’
The Trust hope to increase awareness of the Burslem Branch Canal, with the eventual aim of restoration and new waterside facilities to deliver sustainable leisure, tourism and thus employment.
Members of the Burslem Port Trust will be on hand to guide visitors around the site and to answer any questions about the potential restoration of the canal. Also present will be the Burslem Local Plan team who will be able to discuss the proposals in the local plan and take note of any feedback from the local community.
The Trust also plans to lay a path along the Burslem Branch Canal route from the Trent and Mersey intersection starting in October 2021. This project has been generously supported by Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Canal and River Trust. Volunteers are needed to help with path laying for the ‘Footsteps’ project, so please visit the Burslem Port Trust website to get involved, or for any further information. https://www.burslemport.org.uk/
Tom Edwards of We are Culla said: “We’re excited to reveal a piece we’ve been working on to promote Burslem and the branch canal. It’s an impression of how the branch canal and surrounding areas would have looked in the 1960s. We’ve also created some new artwork for Burslem Port Trust to use in promoting the project and everyone who attends the event on the 19th will get a souvenir copy printed using traditional methods on site, on the day!”
Greg Stephens of the Boat Band said: “Boat Band can’t wait to perform with our new Burslem Bakers Choir and Bread Band! It’s been a pleasure to work with the local community of Burslem to create outdoor music, performances, to increase awareness of the Burslem Branch Canal. We encourage all of the community to take part, with or without musical experience, but with bags of enthusiasm.”
