NEWCASTLE-under-Lyme’s rich cultural heritage is enjoying the spotlight this month as Belong Heritage Gallery celebrates Heritage Open Days with a programme of events designed to inspire for the nation’s largest community-led festival of local history.
Hosted by the town’s landmark gallery integrated with dementia specialist care village, Belong, the annual gala sees guests being welcomed through the doors and taking part in workshops paying homage to the area including ceramics tutorials, cooking through time, informative talks and Staffordshire film screenings.
Guests can book personal tours of the gallery which is housed in Newcastle-under-Lyme’s oldest building dating from the 17th century. Once the town’s only pottery and known to many as the former popular nightclub Maxims, today it documents the area’s history, arts, and culture through exhibitions, including a circus experience inspired by Philip Astley.
The site includes spaces including Sammy Bell’s Tea Room and the Old Pomona Inn, as well as a Maxims nightclub display, creative studio and reminiscence lounge.
Also open are the village’s public salon, specialist gym and bistro with dementia-friendly courtyard and gardens, recently refreshed with the help of young adults volunteering their skills to add ponds, a kitchen garden and even a mini seaside.