After 115 years, Fenton finally has its own ceremonial mace – and it’s more than just a long-overdue symbol. The newly unveiled Fenton Mace, affectionately known as The Forget-Me-Not Mace, represents civic pride, artistic excellence, and a community’s powerful message: Fenton is not forgotten.
I had the pleasure of seeing the mace in person today at Fenton Town Hall, where it stood proudly on display in the ballroom. It’s a striking piece that manages to feel both historic and contemporary, filled with meaningful symbolism that honours Fenton’s past and looks toward its future.
Why a Mace? And Why Now?
The Fenton Mace has been created as part of Stoke-on-Trent’s centenary celebrations, marking 100 years since the six towns federated into a city. However, when the federation was formed in 1910, only five maces came into the council’s collection. Fenton – often referred to as the “forgotten town” thanks in part to Arnold Bennett omitting it from his famous novel Anna of the Five Towns – was left without one.
Now, that gap in civic identity has finally been filled.
A team of students from Staffordshire University’s BA Product, Furniture and Ceramics course, along with MA Ceramics students, were tasked with designing a mace that would reflect Fenton’s story, industry, and people. Guided by a panel of local experts – including Keith Brymer Jones (from The Great Pottery Throw Down), Hannah Ault (Valentine Clays), and Lord Mayor Lyn Sharpe – two winning student teams joined forces to create this spectacular object.
A Deeply Thoughtful Design
Every inch of the Fenton Mace has meaning. From the materials used to the smallest details, the design tells the story of a town long overlooked – now taking its rightful place.
Every element of the Fenton Mace has been carefully designed to represent the spirit, story, and future of Fenton. With symbolism layered throughout, it is as much a piece of storytelling as it is a ceremonial object. From its regal structure to its botanical references, the mace speaks of heritage, unity, remembrance, and pride.
The Crown: Bottle Kiln, Red Clay, and Horns of a Goat
At the very top of the mace sits a stylised bottle kiln, with a small disc of red Fenton clay inserted into it – symbolically placed at the highest point to represent the people of Fenton as central and significant. This red clay is more than material – it’s a reminder of the town’s identity, formed from the land and shaped by the hands of its people.
Surrounding the kiln is a striking gold metal cage, its flowing form loosely inspired by the horns of a goat – a subtle nod to an element found in versions of the Fenton coat of arms. The cage structure also takes the form of a crown, reflecting themes of civic authority and regency. It visually and metaphorically encases the mace in significance, heritage, and honour.
The Ceramic Bulb: Blooming with Symbolism
The body of the mace is shaped like a ceramic bulb, representing a flower ready to bloom – a fitting metaphor for Fenton’s long-overdue recognition and re-emergence. This central form reflects both natural growth and traditional ceramic press moulds, beautifully bridging nature and industry.
Floral Motifs: Forget-Me-Nots, Heather & Hydrangeas
Delicately decorated with floral elements, the mace incorporates:
- Forget-me-nots, symbolising remembrance and connection. As Fenton was excluded from Arnold Bennett’s Anna of the Five Towns, the flower is a poignant reminder that Fenton was – and is – never truly forgotten.
- Sprigs of heather, the official flower of Staffordshire, signifying strength, admiration, and regional pride.
- Hydrangea flowers, located at the seam where the mace’s staff connects to the bulb, chosen for their multiple clustered blooms – representing unity and togetherness, a metaphor for the people of Fenton becoming one strong, cohesive community.
Golden Spheres
The ceramic bulb is dotted with small golden spheres, designed to resemble pollen grains inside a forget-me-not. These subtle details highlight the intricacy of the design and reinforce the themes of life, connection, and continuous growth.
Three Metal Rings & Civic Pride
The mace features three gold metal rings, each bearing meaningful inscriptions:
- The top ring features Fenton’s motto: “Onward and Upward” – a proud declaration of purpose.
- The middle ring acts as a mirror line, engraved with a representation of the River Trent, symbolising the shaping force of water and history through the Potteries.
- The bottom ring bears Stoke-on-Trent’s motto: Vis Unita Fortior (United Strength is Stronger), reinforcing the unity of the six towns.
The Base: Bottle Kiln & the Clammins
The shape of the base continues the ceramic narrative, drawing on the form of a bottle kiln. A distinct arched doorway in its design is said to reference the “clammins” – the entrance to the inner kiln chamber – a small yet powerful detail evoking the working lives of generations of potters.
Coats of Arms: Fenton & the City
The base of the mace features Fenton’s coat of arms, placed opposite Stoke-on-Trent’s civic crest. This dual representation symbolises Fenton’s rightful place within the city, while maintaining its distinct identity – a subtle but firm visual reminder that Fenton matters.
Crafted by the Community
The project has been supported by several brilliant local businesses, including Valentine Clays, KMF Metal, AJ Philpott, CJ Skelhorne Jewellers, Duchess China 1888, and Lee Price. It’s a shining example of collaboration between education, industry, and community pride.
Professor Neil Brownsword of Staffordshire University said:
“The Fenton Mace project has been great for students to reconnect to local histories that shaped the characteristics of Fenton. They’ve done a fantastic job of combining traditional references and symbolism through a contemporary lens.”
One of the students, Maddie Sturmey, shared her pride in being part of the project:
“It’s been an honour to be a part of this prestigious occasion and to have had the opportunity to design and create the Fenton mace. We are really excited to showcase what we have been working so hard to achieve. We hope the people of Fenton love it as much as we do.”
Where to See the Mace
If you’d like to witness this powerful piece of Fenton history up close, here’s where you can see it:
- Friday 4 April – On display at Fenton Town Hall (10am to 4pm)
- Saturday 5 April –
🔸 10am – Blessing at Christ Church, Fenton
🔸 Later that morning in Fenton Town Square
🔸 Afterwards, the mace will make its way to Stoke Town Hall
This is more than just a ceremonial object. The Fenton Mace is a message in form: a beautifully crafted declaration that Fenton is, and always has been, an essential part of our city. It reminds us of the power of local pride, heritage, and storytelling – and it will stand as a symbol of Fenton’s identity for the next century and beyond.
Let’s continue to celebrate and uplift every part of Stoke-on-Trent – and never forget the stories that make our city whole.