Sharon Heal’s criticism of the Wedgwood Museum could seriously undermine the current efforts to save the Wedgwood collection.
As a long-standing fellow of the Museums Association and retired life member who was brought up in the Potteries area and still lives in the district, I should like to point out that museum colleagues in North Staffordshire do not feel that the Wedgwood Museum is a failure, but believe that it fully deserves its award-winning status, and that the unique collection should be saved in its present form in the museum that is an appropriate setting next to the factory where ceramics are still being produced by local craftspeople.
Nor should the museum be criticised for concentrating on its collection rather than not showing the lives of the Wedgwood workers.
Stoke-on-Trent already has two museums relating to the history of ceramics – the Potteries Museum and the Gladstone Pottery Museum – which complement the specialist nature of the museum and its collection.
Stoke-on-Trent’s pottery industry is enjoying a resurgence as a result of the manufacture of commemorative items for royal occasions and an increased demand for high-quality locally made ceramics.
The Wedgwood Museum and its staff have done much to boost the local pottery industry and to enhance the cultural potential of the area. For this to continue, the Wedgwood Collection and the museum must be saved.
Anna Meredith FMA, West Midlands
As a long-standing fellow of the Museums Association and retired life member who was brought up in the Potteries area and still lives in the district, I should like to point out that museum colleagues in North Staffordshire do not feel that the Wedgwood Museum is a failure, but believe that it fully deserves its award-winning status, and that the unique collection should be saved in its present form in the museum that is an appropriate setting next to the factory where ceramics are still being produced by local craftspeople.
Nor should the museum be criticised for concentrating on its collection rather than not showing the lives of the Wedgwood workers.
Stoke-on-Trent already has two museums relating to the history of ceramics – the Potteries Museum and the Gladstone Pottery Museum – which complement the specialist nature of the museum and its collection.
Stoke-on-Trent’s pottery industry is enjoying a resurgence as a result of the manufacture of commemorative items for royal occasions and an increased demand for high-quality locally made ceramics.
The Wedgwood Museum and its staff have done much to boost the local pottery industry and to enhance the cultural potential of the area. For this to continue, the Wedgwood Collection and the museum must be saved.
Anna Meredith FMA, West Midlands
