Stoke-on-Trent Centenary Parade – The Tunstall Clock

After collaborating with artist Hannah Walton on the Longton Pig Parade, we were thrilled to be invited to take part in another celebration—this time, a big one: The People's Parade celebrating Stoke-on-Trent’s 100-year anniversary of city-status.

Working alongside artist Gavin Lewery, we helped bring a spectacular 14-foot replica of the Tunstall Clock to life for the city’s grand parade. Once Gavin completed the main construction, we stepped in to paint the piece and add the finishing touches. I designed and created the clock faces that adorned all four sides, giving the structure its distinct charm and character.

A highlight of this project was the community involvement. We led a workshop at the Co-op Academy Secondary School, where students crafted vibrant floral decorations to embellish the clock—each bloom representing a different nationality that makes up the diverse heart of Stoke-on-Trent. Local residents were also invited to write on ribbons what the city means to them, which we later transformed into colourful bunting cascading from the clock during the parade.

On the big day, Hannah and I proudly joined the pupils to guide the towering clock through the People’s Parade in Hanley—an incredible celebration featuring over 1,000 performers filling the streets with colour, music, and movement. The sheer scale of it was breathtaking; a true city-wide spectacle. Even with the rain coming down, the energy never dipped—the crowd’s enthusiasm and the community spirit made it an unforgettable experience.