A birthday out with Alison Blaney in Burslem and Leek. Burslem, thinly disguised as as Bursley in Arnold Bennett's books. One of the 'six towns' of Stoke on Trent (the others being Tunstall, Hanley, Stoke, Fenton and Longton). Like its cousin towns, it is quite run down, but there are diamonds in the rough, and its disrepair gives it some charm. It is however rare for it to have tourists, so that me and my mother were considered rather oddly by its local inhabitants.
The tower of Burslem town hall. A magnificent building now obscured by the 'Ceramica' tea shop and shop, an assymetric greenhouse with an unnecessary spike jutting out from one of its sides, given cheap cladding and only made one-quarter respectable by the vast amount of money lavished upon it by the council. As you can see, the town hall could be given a good weeding.

The town hall's previous life. Adding the famous angel to its top.
Jubilee celebrations.

The excellent library building, built in honour of Josiah Wedgwood. Unfortunately the Royal Doulton company has closed down its factory in Burslem to relocate abroad.

What is this? A statue of Colonel Sanders? Actually, it is another Josiah Wedgwood.