Plans for borough's 850th anniversary celebrations unveiled

Preparations are well underway to deliver an action-packed calendar of cultural and heritage activities throughout 2023 in honour of our loyal and ancient borough’s 850th anniversary, with a view to involving community members in a series of exciting civic events which deliver a lasting legacy for the borough.

Newcastle-under-Lyme was granted its first royal charter of incorporation in 1173 by King Henry II after a population grew around a “new castle” built by the Normans.

An engaging and inclusive anniversary programme is being developed by an “850 working group” in conjunction with partners, local businesses, councillors and sponsors. To date the Council has secured several sponsors for the campaign including Keele University, Aspire Housing, the Community Foundation, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, Options Management and local MP Aaron Bell.

The Council’s Cabinet is receiving an update on the latest plans at their next meeting on Tuesday, 6 December.

They currently involve –

• The creation of a new logo recreating the borough crest, which will be used in all promotion, as well as a dedicated section of the Council’s website which is now live.
• A celebration of famous and influential residents – past and present – at Brampton Museum involving exhibitions, film showings, talks, online content, displays in the Spotlight Gallery and a range of family-friendly activities. There will be a different theme each month –

1. January – Fascinating Folk
2. February – Newcastle People in the World
3. March – Business and Industry
4. April – Literature
5. May – Military
6. June – Big Celebration
7. July – Sports
8. August – Heroes of the Borough
9. September – Rights and Protests
10. October – Arts
11. November – Science and Engineering
12. December – Living Legends

• A themed experience at Brampton Museum designed specifically for schoolchildren in addition to a medieval extravaganza at Brampton Park.
• A “Celebrate Newcastle” event at Brampton Park, in association with popular arts and cultural organisation Appetite, on 3 June followed by a medieval battle re-enactment of Blore Heath in September.
• Window displays and bunting in Newcastle town centre.
• A programme of educational activities for schools.

In addition to one-off events, there are plans to deliver a lasting legacy through –

• Proposals for a Lyme Forest containing 850 new lime trees on the former Keele golf course.
• A new printed book of the History of the Borough.
• A special subway mural at Queen’s Gardens.
• Aspiration Keele – aspiring local students to study at Keele University.
• The creation of an annual Local Heroes Award ceremony to continue to focus on rising stars from the borough.
• A heritage blue plaque nomination scheme to acknowledge residents’ contribution to society.
• The launch of an annual history lecture.
• A new statue of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Council Leader Simon Tagg said: “The 850 anniversary of Newcastle-under-Lyme in 2023 is a once in a generation opportunity to bring our communities together in appreciation of the fantastic history of our town while giving the local economy a real boost.

“The first royal charter, awarded in 1173, gave special rights and freedoms to residents that went on to help shape the borough as we know it. Perhaps most notably this included the right to hold an outdoor market, a long-held tradition that’s still an important aspect of the town’s vitality and success.

“Newcastle-under-Lyme is steeped in history and culture. We want to showcase all that’s great about the borough, celebrating it with pride and passion, by providing a series of enjoyable events. There was a real buzz when the late Queen Elizabeth II visited the area during the octocentenary in 1973; we want to recreate that special atmosphere for an extended period of time while providing a real, lasting legacy.”

There are various opportunities to be involved through volunteering, support in kind or by providing sponsorship. A total of £25,000 has been earmarked from the Council’s Borough Growth Fund – money set aside to promote the town – and confirmed external funding currently amounts to £35,000.