Every Plate Tells A Story: Blackfriars Academy enters Steelite’s Oldest Plate competition
Blackfriars Academy, a Newcastle-Under-Lyme special school, part of the Shaw Education Trust, enters an old plate still used daily into competition in hope to win prize worth £5000
Every plate tells a story, and sometimes those stories are personal. For Jackie Onions, a retired Blackfriars Academy employee and Stoke-on-Trent resident, plates make her think of her dad.
Mr Green worked at Ridgway Potteries in Stoke-on-Trent as it merged into Steelite, and later Steelite International. As is evident in a 1970 letter she still has, written to her dad from the then CEO of Steelite, Mr K Mills, Mr Green was highly influential in the development of the Steelite body and the changeover from Ridgway Potteries into the Steelite factory. In school holidays he would take a young Jackie up and down the country on various Steelite-related trips. She recalls a time he visited the United States on behalf of the company as one of the highlights of his life. Jackie’s familial roots in pottery go back even further – her grandfather, Dr A. T. Green, founded the British Ceramic Research Association, still based in Stoke-on-Trent. Nonetheless, Steelite is the name she carries closest because of its profound impact on her late father.
“When I was working at Blackfriars I used to have to go and do presentations all over the UK,” says Jackie. “I’d go down to London and be terrified. Walking into a boardroom and seeing Steelite plates in there, I’d be like, dad’s here, dad’s with me.
“So Steelite is like a bit of home and a bit of my dad. I know it has changed and developed but to me it’s still my dad.”
Fast-forward to today and Jackie’s an avid follower of Steelite’s social media. It was through Facebook she first found out about the competition to find ‘the oldest Steelite plate still in service’. Entrants were required to submit a picture of the backstamp of their found Steelite tableware, which would then be analysed to determine its year of manufacture. The campaign aims to reinforce Steelite as “the strongest name in tableware” by showcasing the longevity of its products through the various entries it receives. Additionally, the competition celebrates 100 years of Stoke-on-Trent, the pottery capital of the world, and the home of Steelite International, too.
“I was watching a promo video for the campaign and I thought, I ought to have the oldest Steelite plate, surely,” says Jackie. “But dad never brought them home!”
It then dawned on her; Blackfriars Academy. A SEND school based in Newcastle-under-Lyme for children with special educational needs and disabilities, her connection to Blackfriars began nearly 40 years ago when her son attended it. She would later work at the school for twenty years until retirement. Given her lifelong advocacy of the Steelite brand, the likelihood the school had acquired some of its tableware during her tenure was something of a given. Perhaps it held the ticket, or more specifically, the plate.
Enter Blackfriars, stage left!
Jackie contacted her friend Karen Emmens, who teaches the Bridgewater class at the school. Karen was asked to take pictures of any Steelite plates the school was using, including their backstamps, and send the images to Jackie to review. Upon spotting the plate Jackie would later enter on behalf of Blackfriars, she told her friend to “keep that one safe!”
“We were still serving lunch on the plate the day Jackie came and collected it!” Karen admits. “It’s not been in someone’s cabinet on display, it’s been used daily. It goes through the school dishwashing system, which is obviously hotter than normal machines.”
While the exact date isn’t stated, the Royal Doulton Hotelware England Steelite backstamp indicates the plate has survived 40+ years of service, and counting.
While vital to any educational establishment, the conditions of Blackfriars Academy make premium, durable tableware essential.
“Some of our pupils are still learning how to use a knife and fork with proper plates,” says Karen. “Sturdy tableware is an essential for our pupils.”
While the loyalty between Blackfriars and Steelite may have been driven by Jackie’s personal connection to both, promoting shared locality is a key principle of the school.
“One thing we’re really proud of in this school is our link to the local community,” says Jamie Campbell, Headteacher of Blackfriars. “Were we to win, it would not only be incredibly important to us, it would strengthen our link to Steelite, which we’ve had over many years.”
For the vast majority of schools, resources can be scarce and funding an uphill struggle. The £5000 worth of Steelite products prize therefore offers a very practical reward, too.
“Winning would make sure we have top quality Steelite products for all of our students here for many years to come,” says Jamie.
Entries to the competition closed on July 10th. The winner will be announced by Steelite in the coming weeks.
For more information on Steelite-Utopia visit steelite-utopia.com.
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Blackfriars Enters Steelite Comp – Jul-25
Press Enquiries:
Alison Haynes at The Publicity Works: 01263 761000; alison@publicityworks.biz
Josie Devine at Steelite-Utopia: jdevine@steelite.com
About Steelite-Utopia
Steelite-Utopia delivers a comprehensive and unmatched solution for the hospitality industry. Combining durable ceramic tableware with an extensive range of glassware, cutlery, buffet items, and lighting, they provide a cohesive product suite designed to meet every need of dining and hospitality presentation. Their products balance resilience with style, adhering to the highest quality standards while enhancing the dining experience through thoughtful design and expert craftsmanship.