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Longton and 'The Real Devil in the Potteries'

Industrial landscape photograph taken at Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, between about 1920 and 1940 by local photographer William Blake. This design, with its damning caption, is one of many that appear to confirm that Blake held strong socialist beliefs, and reflects the enduring image of the city as a dirty and polluted '20th century hell.'

A preacher named Canon L. Tyrwhitt used to give sermons in the Fenton area of Stoke-on-Trent around 1903. He was very critical of the growing number of people in the locality who drank alcohol excessively. He referred to the problem as 'The Devil in the Potteries'. This picture is believed to to be a reply to the sermons of Tyrwhitt. Blake, instead, placed the blame for the problems faced by the local working classes on the exploititive nature of the pottery industry.

Place

Stoke-on- Trent Museums Services

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