Book Talks at the Emma Bridgewater Factory

24/09/2022

The liveliest, most searingly honest and hugely entertaining afternoon with Jess Phillips MP on why politics really matters and we should all, whatever our political beliefs, get involved. Huge thanks to our fantastic interviewer Gareth Snell for hosting a memorable session at the last minute.

24/09/2022

Delighted to welcome Emma J Wells - expert ecclesiastical and architectural historian and Emma Bridgewater collector - to the Factory this afternoon for a fascinating talk about “Heaven on Earth - the lives and legacies of the world’s greatest cathedrals”.

21/09/2022

:: BOOK TALKS at the FACTORY - JESS PHILLIPS MP this Saturday ::
As political life resumes, don't miss the last few remaining tickets for what's guaranteed be a revealing, humorous and fascinating behind the scenes insight into the actual life on an MP and a guide to what you really need to know about politics. Join us for a excellent afternoon's entertainment at the Emma Bridgewater Factory. Book online via the link below or pay on the door. https://www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/.../jess-phillips-mp...

16/09/2022

:: BOOK TALKS AT EMMA BRIDGEWATER - Saturday 24 September ::

In this week of moving and memorable historic events that have given us an insight into some of our finest buildings such as Westminster Hall and Westminster Abbey, we're looking forward to welcoming historian EMMA J WELLS to the Factory next Saturday to share, in a fantastic illustrated talk, the lives and legacies of the world's greatest cathedrals including Westminster Abbey.

Come and join us at Emma Bridgewater for a fascinating afternoon from 2pm - tickets available in advance via the link below and also on the door.

https://www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/.../emma-j-well-heaven...

On Monday, the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will be held at . Here’s an interesting tid-bit about its history from my new book, Heaven on Earth.

Archbishop Thomas Becket’s murder in 1170 spawned, after his astonishingly rapid canonization in 1173, a meteoric saintly cult centred on Canterbury. It seemed that by contrast, Edward the Confessor’s reputation had limited appeal outside of Westminster. The watershed was the year 1245. Now the adult Henry III plunged in to become the sole and royal patron of the rebuilding project, his goal to construct his own ‘cathedral’ at Westminster, not only to eclipse all others, but, as a spiritual headquarters under his ‘special patron’ Saint Edward, to be the exemplar for his own kingship.
Although the king’s salvation was one of his key motives, there was also the rather less spiritual but potent matter of political rivalry with his Capetian brother-in-law, Louis IX of France. In 1239, Louis had taken possession of Christ’s putative Crown of Thorns. It would be the centrepiece of his collection of Passion relics, the most celebrated in Christendom, to which he added a fragment of the True Cross in 1241. Louis commissioned an extraordinary two-floored chapel – the Sainte-Chapelle – to be built to house the relics in the precincts of the royal palace on Paris’s Île de la Cité. In less than a decade, this astonishing structure took form. Undeterred by this emerging wonder, the ‘simple and God-fearing’ King Henry took on the competitive challenge and ordered a grand new shrine for the Confessor’s relics at Westminster.

📸 Didier B

01/09/2022

Happy Publication Day to Dr Emma J Wells who’s glorious book “Heaven on Earth”, about the lives and legacies of the world’s greatest cathedrals, is out today!! We’re hugely looking forward to welcoming Emma to the Factory on Saturday 24th September at 2pm to share more about the architectural wonders of these astonishing buildings and the human stories of triumph and tragedy which shaped them. BOOK TODAY via the link and please share.

https://www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/products/emma-j-well-heaven-on-earth-the-lives-and-legacies-of-the-world-s-greatest-cathedrals

26/08/2022

Lit Fest fans - did you know that a wonderful new Staffordshire literary festival will be taking place in the beautiful setting of Sandon Hall on Saturday 10th & 11th September and will feature our own great friend and former Festival in a Factory trustee, Tristram Hunt? Visit SANDON HALL's page to find out more about their excellent line up of guests and events or check out the website here https://sandonhall.co.uk/events/

10/08/2022

:: BOOK TALKS ARE BACK AT THE FACTORY! Saturday 24 September ::

A new season is on the horizon, and we’re delighted to once again be welcoming expert writers for our latest book talks at the Emma Bridgewater Factory on SATURDAY 24th SEPTEMBER. Tickets are on sale now - follow this link for full details: https://www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/.../autumn-book-talks-2022

PLEASE FOLLOW the EMMA BRIDGEWATER FACTORY page for all our latest event updates. We'll continue to share book and author events to this page too.

15/10/2021

Our good friends at the Arnold Bennett Society have a terrific guest lined up for their first in person Literary Lunch in a long while. Don't miss the opportunity to hear KIT DE WAAL, the brilliant author of "My Name is Leon" and "Becoming Dinah" in conversation with Morag Johnson on Wednesday 8 December, along with delicious three course festive lunch at the PotBank ApartHotel in Stoke. Please contact the Society directly to book [email protected] or tel: 01782 641337.

11/10/2021

Great memories from another wonderful day of talks with amazing authors at the Emma Bridgewater Factory on Saturday. Thank you to everyone who came, our amazing team who make it all happen and to our brilliant photographer Malcolm Hart for capturing the day.

09/10/2021

“Activism isn’t an elite sport. We should all be raising our voices.” The brilliant Kajal Odedra inspiring everyone here at the Emma Bridgewater to leverage their power and their voices to bring about change. So important. Thank you Kajal!

09/10/2021

Want to understand how England really began? Marc Morris’ revealing talk on the Anglo Saxons is the best history lesson we’ve had in years! Welcome to Mercia Marc ⚔️ Believe us - you need the book!

09/10/2021

Women with a passion for mudlarking - Emma Bridgewater with Laura Maiklem at the Factory this morning

09/10/2021

The brilliant utterly engaging Mudlarker Lara Maiklem enthralling our audience with tales of treasures dumped in the River Thames and what they reveal about people and lives that came before us and how we can learn to lark and discover treasures ourselves.

09/10/2021

The best way to spend a Saturday - inspiration and revelation with brilliant authors. Tickets available on the door for talks on Anglo Saxons (1pm) and Activism for Everyone(2.30pm). Visit the Emma Bridgewater Factory today for a brilliant experience.

08/10/2021

Our latest talks series ends tomorrow (tickets available on the door) but our very good friends at The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery have fascinating lecture on offer next weekend on Chinese Imperial Court Costume - 'A Journey through the Imperial Wardrobe'.

Sunday 17 October 1pm
David Rosier, Accredited Lecturer for The Arts Society, presents an insight into the origins and evolution of the 2000-year history of Regulated Court Costume.

Initially there will be a focus on the Insignia of Rank that were worn to visually indicate the rank and status of the wearer. Specific consideration will be given to the origins and usage of the iconic Chinese Imperial Dragon, the personal emblem of the Emperor, but not for his exclusive use.

The lecture concludes with an exploration of the Imperial Wardrobe from State Robes, and regalia, plus mandated dress accessories. Lecture at 1pm, please book in advance by calling 01782 232323 or emailing [email protected] , tickets £12 and includes a Cream Tea.

07/10/2021

No plans for the weekend? Why not join us on Saturday and be inspired by great writers and fascinating topics at the Emma Bridgewater Factory. We have a few tickets available for our brilliant series of talks and we'd love to welcome you. Find out "How to Be A Larker" with Lara Maiklem, discover the turbulent history of the Anglo-Saxons with Marc Morris and be inspired to change the world with Kajal Odedra on Activism for Everyone.
BOOK ONLINE https://www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/collections/factory-tours

30/09/2021

:: WIN MUDLARKING BOOK & BOOT STAND::
How lovely is this! LARA MAIKLEM will be sharing her beautiful and indispensable new guide for all aspiring mudlarkers and anyone keen to make everyday discoveries next Saturday (9 Oct 11.30am). Don't miss out and book your ticket today (see link below)

COMPETITION!!! Like and share this post to be in with a chance to WIN our equally indispensable Emma Bridgewater wooden boot stand (worth £90); just what you need to store those muddy boots after larking adventure across fields, streams and woods plus a copy of Lara's field journal to go with it.

(boot stand details here - https://www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/products/black-toast-wooden-wellie-boot-stand)

27/09/2021

:: DO SOMETHING - Activism for Everyone = Sat 9 Oct 2.30pm ::

In these times when many of us feel passionately about trying to bring about change, don't miss our event with seasoned change-maker KAJAL ODEDRA. UK Director of the campaigning petitioning organisation Change.org; Kajal will share her guide on activism and how to harness the power of people via the internet and help you change the world. Join us to get excited about making an impact in an effective way. BOOK ONLINE via this link https://www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/products/author-events-kajal-odedra?nosto_source=cmp&nosto=6151df37af13a5561156bb7e

23/09/2021

We're getting ready to welcome you back to the Factory for the next in our series of brilliant talks with fascinating guests on SATURDAY 9 OCTOBER. Tickets available online via this link https://www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/collections/factory-tours

11.30am Join mudlarker and author of the bestselling book Mudlarking LARA MAIKLEM to discover the treasure just beneath our feet, hidden in rivers, streams, fields, beaches and the earth itself and connect with people of the past through the everyday items left behind.

1pm Here in the heart of Mercia, best-selling historian MARC MORRIS illuminates six turbulent centuries of The Anglo Saxons; the people abandoned by the Romans, who fought off the Vikings and eventually formed a new society, a new culture and brought a single, unified nation of England into being. Marc will be in conversation with Joe Perry, Curator of Local History at the Potteries Museum & Art Galley – home to the magnificent Anglo-Saxon Staffordshire Hoard.

2.30pm Do you find yourself staring helplessly at your news feed? Or all too often asking, ‘why hasn’t somebody done something about that?’. If the answer is yes, then join UK Director of Change.org KAJAL ODEDRA and learn about Activism for Everyone and how we can all Do Something by using the internet to harness real people power and change the world!

11/09/2021

Without doubt one of most engaging and entertaining historians, Ruth Goodman on stage revealing how the shift to coal changed the most basic and fundamental elements of of life from washing, to cooking, to our diet, to firing our homes changed everything and paved the way for industrialisation. Terrific stuff!

11/09/2021

So delighted to welcome the ‘Queen of Living History’ RUTH GOODMAN to the Factory to share the story of how ‘The Domestic Revolution’ fired by women and the working classes fuelled the Industrial Revolution.

11/09/2021

And we’re back! Our wonderful audience have returned to enjoy TRISTRAM HUNT, Director of the V&A and great friend of Stoke-on-Trent, sharing the story of the innovative, energetic and radical Potter, the Steve Jobs of the 18thC - JOSIAH WEDGWOOD .

08/09/2021

Coming to our Author Talks this weekend? Look out for a few changes to the EB Factory if you've not visited us since the last Festival in 2019.

:: Our big car park is fully completed with Parent & Child and Disabled spaces now marked. Overflow parking is also available on the old Factory Car park (now our Staff & Deliveries car park)

:: We have a beautiful shiny new entrance, accessible from the car park only, where you'll be met by our lovely team. Please do not use the old route from the factory car park to the courtyard for H&S reasons.

:: You'll be directed through our Gift Shop to the courtyard then please follow the signs for the "Factory Gatherings Author Talks" which take place in the Meakin Room. Access is via the external stairs or for anyone with mobility issues please come into the café to use our ramp

:: The Factory Garden is now wheelchair accessible too so please pay it a visit and enjoy its last hurrah before the end of the season

:: We have new toilets too which you can find in the Gift Shop (use the ramp into the shop or the stairs and lift by the entrance; other toilet facilities including an accessible loo are available in the Decorating Studio and extra loos are available down the café steps

:: the café is fully booked for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea on Saturday but we will have limited availability for walk-ins for drinks and cakes etc inside and outside in the courtyard

:: Complimentary refreshments will be also be available for all ticket holders

We're really excited to welcome you back on Saturday and if you need any assistance please message us or email [email protected] or [email protected]

08/09/2021

:: THE QUEEN OF LIVING HISTORY COMES TO STOKE! ::

We're absolutely delighted to be welcoming one of our most engaging and entertaining historians to the Factory this Saturday (11 Sept) to tell the story of how the development of the coal-fired domestic range fundamentally changed not just our domestic comforts, but our world.

The revolution began as far back as the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, when London began the switch from wood to coal as its domestic fuel - a full 200 years before any other city. It would be this domestic demand for more coal that would lead to the expansion of mining, engineering, construction and industry: the Domestic Revolution kick-started, pushed and fuelled the Industrial Revolution.

Well known for bringing the past to life on TV programmes including "The Victorian Farm" and "Secrets of the Castle", Ruth says, "My particular interest is in the domestic. How we lived our daily lives, the practical nitty gritty, and why we did it that way. These seemingly little things change the world. Our day to day routines have a huge cumulative effect on the environment, our shopping habits can sway the world's patterns of trade, how we organise and run our family life sets the political tone of nations. We matter. Us, the little people, women, children and even men. How our ancestors solved the problems of everyday life made the world what it is today."

Don't miss what promises to be a thoroughly entertaining and revealing talk this weekend at the Emma Bridgewater Factory - once powered itself by coal. BOOK ONLINE via this link https://www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/products/author-events-ruth-goodman

03/09/2021

Congratulations to Tristram Hunt who's 'remarkable and impassioned book' (Edmund de Waal) is now out in the world! We can't wait to welcome him back to the EB Factory next Saturday to share Wedgwood with us in the heart of The Potteries. Snap up a ticket quick and join us for our first event in far too long! https://www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/products/author-events?nosto_source=cmp&nosto=6132235d450b7c627a4a79e0

31/08/2021

A new season is upon us, bringing Factory Gatherings back to Emma Bridgewater and we can't wait! Tickets are selling fast for our first Autumn Author Events on Sat 11 Sept when we welcome the brilliant RUTH GOODMAN to Stoke to discuss her most recent book "The Domestic Revolution" on how coal transformed lives, landscapes and kick-started the Industrial Revolution and TRISTRAM HUNT returns to discuss his revealing biography of the Steve Jobs of the 18th Century "Josiah Wedgwood". BOOK TICKETS ONLINE here: https://www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/collections/factory-tours

And join us on Sat 9 Oct when mudlarker LARA MAIKLEM shares how you too can discover treasures of the past, learn from KAJAL ODEDRA how to harness the power of the internet to boost your campaign and achieve real change and hear from best-selling historian MARC MORRIS about The Anglo Saxons and the beginnings of England, here in the ancient kingdom of Mercia, home to the magnificent Staffordshire Hoard.

FIND OUT MORE - https://www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/pages/author-talks

12/08/2021

Just a month to go until Tristram Hunt returns to the EB Factory to share his spectacular new biography of the pioneering designer, entrepreneur, and beacon of the early Industrial Revolution, Josiah Wedgwood. BOOK ONLINE via this short link to secure your seat for this special new event on Saturday 11 September at 12noon. bit.ly/3CDOFgN

Wedgwood was a pioneering English potter and British entrepreneur, and an influential radical campaigner. There was a period in the late 18th and early 19th century when Wedgwood ware was served on the tables of every inn from Paris to St Petersburg, and every table from Spain to Brazil. From his kilns and workshops in Stoke-on-Trent, he not only revolutionized the production of ceramics in Georgian Britain, marrying technology with design, manufacturing efficiency and retail flair, but also transformed the luxury markets not only of London, Liverpool, Bath and Dublin but of America and the world, helping to usher in a mass consumer society. Tristram Hunt calls him 'the Steve Jobs of the eighteenth century'. Don't miss this revealing event at the EB Factory where we continue the tradition of creating beautiful handmade ceramics today.

28/07/2021

Hear from the bestselling historian himself this Autumn at the Emma Bridgewater Factory - you can take Ian Hislop, Bernard Cornwell and Dan Jones’ words for it that it’s going to be an unmissable event. Curator of Local History at The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery Joe Perry will be in conversation with Marc on Saturday 9 Oct 1pm - book online via this link bit.ly/3l66CxT

26/07/2021

26/07/2021