FRIENDS OF THE SPODE MUSEUM

The Friends of the Spode Museum was formed in 2006 for the express purpose of raising funds in support of the Spode Museum when there were concerns about the ability of the Spode Company to continue to underwrite the cost of housing and maintaining the Museum located on the factory site.

Since that time Royal Worcester Spode went into administration and the site was sold the Stoke on Trent City Council for redevelopment. Faced with the possible risk to the Collection left on the site the Friends raised much of the £30,000 needed to pack the collection and pay for its safe transportation to storage elsewhere. The paper archive, 25,000 copper plates and 40,000 ceramic pieces, plus a host of other Spode related items ranging from antique furniture to portraits, shards, sprig moulds and potter’s tools all needed to be moved. Some 40 volunteers from the Friends, both local and from as far away as Kent, Essex and Scotland, came along to help with the enormous task of washing, cataloguing and packing museum items, some of which had not seen the light of day for decades. There is a continuing need to raise funds to maintain storage and for the cost of eventual re-housing of this unique collection and the running costs involved.

The contents of the Museum are owned by the Spode Museum Trust, a registered charity, and are protected. The Friends also obtained charitable status in 2007.

JOIN US

If you would like to help us you can make a Donation or become a member of Friends of the Spode Museum for just £5 per year by printing off a copy of the Membership Application Form and after completion post to the following address:

Mrs. Janis L. Rodwell, Membership Secretary, Stoneleigh House, 102 Kineton Green Road, Solihull, West Midlands B92 7EE, UK.