DCS Social Trip to Emma Bridgewater Pottery 7th May 2026
This trip required both a change of departure time to 08:15 and reduction in departure points to allow us to be in Stoke on Trent for our first tour of the day to begin at 10am. Contrary to expectations we left on time and arrived on the doorstep ready for coffee pre-10am, which was a great start to the Social Trip Season.
The trip was fully booked with 34 travellers and a fully engineered executive coach similar to an election battle bus, including as the driver pointed out a poker table and a kitchen. On arrival and after a quick coffee and snack we divided into manageable groups for the tour to begin.
Emma Bridgewater is a success story in an industry which is significantly contracting, unless a marketing niche can be found. Emma has done that with specific lines for the market, featuring birds, flowers, plates and dishes, with many either sponge hand painted or with lithographic printing, developed by her husband Matthew. Thus, making many of her offerings unique and also putting them at the expensive end of the market, with top of the range stores stocking her products at top of the range prices.
It was then into the shop to either buy originals or discounted ones with minor defects reflected in the price. It was soon 12noon and we were off on the short journey for our usual pub lunch, with local ale, a glass of vino or something a little more subtle. The lunch queue was a little slow, probably due to the staff numbers on duty. However as ever, it was excellent whether carvery or vegetarian and also good value for money.
Having been well fed and watered, we were off to the Trentham Outlet area and the legendry Trentham Gardens. The energetic ones went on a 2-mile round trip walk around the lake, which had good paths informative signage about the views, flora and wild life to be seen. The Garden has been transformed since the DCS`s last visit and since past visits as a family. The ornate Italian Style Garden was lovely, with statues and was in full bloom and colour. It has to be said it was a nice place to spend a few hours in and not too far from home.
Heading back to the coach area our driver was there ready to take us back to the library for dropping off. The journey back was relaxing, without delay, and very little traffic and no queues. A good end to a brilliant day, well attended by those travelled, delivered safely there and back by our driver Bradley.
The full executive coach
In the Emma Bridgewater Shop “new pots for old”
Learning the art of the Lithographic Transfer print
The happy travellers
On the tour
Gordon with his “Mug Shot”
I would like to end with a very big thank you to Gordon and Margaret for making the trip both a seamless and well organised trip, as ever. We look forward our September 2026 trip.
On behalf of the Trustee`s it`s a big thank you to you all for your company and looking forward to the next time.
Posted: May 17, 2026 by Ellie
DCS Social Trip to Emma Bridgewater Pottery 7th May 2026
This trip required both a change of departure time to 08:15 and reduction in departure points to allow us to be in Stoke on Trent for our first tour of the day to begin at 10am. Contrary to expectations we left on time and arrived on the doorstep ready for coffee pre-10am, which was a great start to the Social Trip Season.
The trip was fully booked with 34 travellers and a fully engineered executive coach similar to an election battle bus, including as the driver pointed out a poker table and a kitchen. On arrival and after a quick coffee and snack we divided into manageable groups for the tour to begin.
Emma Bridgewater is a success story in an industry which is significantly contracting, unless a marketing niche can be found. Emma has done that with specific lines for the market, featuring birds, flowers, plates and dishes, with many either sponge hand painted or with lithographic printing, developed by her husband Matthew. Thus, making many of her offerings unique and also putting them at the expensive end of the market, with top of the range stores stocking her products at top of the range prices.
It was then into the shop to either buy originals or discounted ones with minor defects reflected in the price. It was soon 12noon and we were off on the short journey for our usual pub lunch, with local ale, a glass of vino or something a little more subtle. The lunch queue was a little slow, probably due to the staff numbers on duty. However as ever, it was excellent whether carvery or vegetarian and also good value for money.
Having been well fed and watered, we were off to the Trentham Outlet area and the legendry Trentham Gardens. The energetic ones went on a 2-mile round trip walk around the lake, which had good paths informative signage about the views, flora and wild life to be seen. The Garden has been transformed since the DCS`s last visit and since past visits as a family. The ornate Italian Style Garden was lovely, with statues and was in full bloom and colour. It has to be said it was a nice place to spend a few hours in and not too far from home.
Heading back to the coach area our driver was there ready to take us back to the library for dropping off. The journey back was relaxing, without delay, and very little traffic and no queues. A good end to a brilliant day, well attended by those travelled, delivered safely there and back by our driver Bradley.
The full executive coach
In the Emma Bridgewater Shop “new pots for old”
Learning the art of the Lithographic Transfer print
The happy travellers
On the tour
Gordon with his “Mug Shot”
I would like to end with a very big thank you to Gordon and Margaret for making the trip both a seamless and well organised trip, as ever. We look forward our September 2026 trip.
On behalf of the Trustee`s it`s a big thank you to you all for your company and looking forward to the next time.
Yours sincerely
Mike Corlett
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