I trained as a glider pilot at nearby Meir Aerodrome. Flew there from 1967 to 1971. Still flying in 2023 . Also remember the Gladstone Pottety Museum. Dr Celloria of nearby Keele University was one of the founders. Knew him well. I live in Essex now. So sad to see the decline of Stoke-on-Trent .

The photo of Longton bus station at 6.26 is one of two that I took in the bus station in September, 1963, when I was 16 and a half. It was taken through the open window on the top deck of a PMT Leyland Atlantean on its way to Poolfields. We are looking at the area where the Berresford buses used to stand for their return journeys to Meir, Weston Coyney, Cheddleton and Leek. I uploaded both photos on Flickr about 10 years ago and since then, they've been uploaded all over the Internet. So it's nice to know that people are finding use for them.

Used to love going to Longton and if the bus drove through the station I thought that was so cool at the time as a kid. Loved the Woolworths pick n mix too. Later I used to drink there in the Robin Hood. What a state the town is now 😢.

I grew up in Dresden. Longton Park was my playground. When I was a Kid, Longton was the centre of my Universe. I eventually grow up and moved away; its only then we realise just how moribund the Potteries have become. I will always have fond memories of my childhood in the 70's, especially the Potters Fortnight, day trips to Blackpool and Rhyl, however we eventually realise that without Pots, Coal and Steel..... There is nothing left. Its been a slow death, nothing more than gambling, charity shops and pubs. Can Stoke re-invent itself? Maybe... but it will never be what it once was.

Thank you Alan. It's great seeing Longton like this, as being from t'other end I only ever drive through it. They call it progress BUT give me traditional/ classic everytime. Thanks again . Take care.

Wowwww. This has taken me back to my childhood. I used to be put onto a bus in that old station at 12 yrs old, by my my mum, bound for my nans, up Ashwood......... I always say the same, look up. Im happy that i found this video. Ty.

Excellent work Allan. I had a pleasant surprise when I saw several signs that I had designed and put up in the indoor market. I also agree with you on what you said about liking the old buildings, compared to the "modern" kits that they build today. They were the good old days . . .

Some nice finds there, Allan :) I lived in Longton for quite a few years through the 80's and 90's, moved out to Stone for a bit and then back to Weston Coyney in the 2000's, so this area is well known to me. The wreck it has become in just the past few years is quite the shock I have to say.

When I was brought to live in the Potteries as a seven year old seventy years ago in 1954, Longton was a thriving town in which you could buy anything. On a Saturday, the pavements were so full of people that you had to walk in the road to step around them. It even had four well patronised cinemas, the ABC Empire; the Alexandra; the Focus and the Royal. Looking at the place as it is now on this video shows just how long ago 1954 now is. It was a different world back then.

Great vid mate I love these vids about my hometown! Can't believe the elegant building that was on the corner of anchor Road! Now replaced by that brutal monstrosity! Brickies were true craftsmen back in the day.

Love this. Longton is my home town, live abroad these days and really appreciate videos like this. Thanks

Longton, best town in SOT now !,,, Started my career off in Longton @John English , Gill Maiden , the most influential lady in the trade I've had the pleasure to be trained by and worked alongside ....

Last time I went to Longton from Hanley was 1955. Just before bmy family left for Canada thanks for the memories

Longton, made by the potbanks, died when the potbanks closed. Lovely old town in the sixties,as was Newcastle, Hanky seemed bustling as a kid with the new Lewis's store, all these glory days a memory now.

great video mate brought up in longton but not lived in the potteries for 20 years lovely memories thanks for this it made me smile

Great video Alan, learned quite a bit about some photos I'd seen before but did not know where they were, great education. Thanks.

Used to have a ladies fashion shop in the Strand in 1974 next door to the "owd Hut" what an experience that was.

Used to take the bus to Sheffield from the bus station, over the Peak District moors, and down through Buxton.

That was interesting, thank you! I'm amazed at the amount of potbanks there were in Longton, I knew there were loads, but didn't fully realise just how many! My father in law, who was a builder, told me in the 1980's that in the 1920s, when they had the general strike, and people were low on everything, including coal, that they somehow managed to mine nevertheless, and took out layers of coal that are under Longton Town Hall. I can't see how they could've taken away all of it's foundations or it would have collapsed by now, but, they took out a load of coal from what he told me. Has anyone else ever heard this?

Queens/Longton Park is the best part of Longton in my opinion. Such a lovely park :)

More or less across the road from the old court house is an alleyway, which leads to Sutherland Rd. The alley was commonly called cut-throat alley when I was a kid. According to common belief, this was because prisoners were brought through this alley from the Police station to the court house.

Great work! Smashing video. I can't believe the bumbling idiot council nearly got to demolish the town hall in longton!

Thanks for the video👍

Love your accent, I have not heard that accent for a very long time.

My friend, please carry on making history videos about stoke on trent. I love stoke on trent. I was born and bred in stoke. I live close to longton now.

Really great commentary and history. Thank you

My mum asked for the bridge to be painted by the council and they did as she asked. 😁🤗

In the 50 years I've been alive Longton has always been a dive.

Nice memories...I always thought the church next to the bridge was called "St Johns" church"?

Really interesting thank you

Great show Allan, what does Etruria look like nowadays? be well and thank you:)

Brilliant work sir

Ha in the 'Focknrollers' film (here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/q7ZmfraoqJ3Rc6M.html ) we made some years back we called it 'LA' (for the Longton Area) :) and of course some of the images in your LA movie here take me back a very long way because my father was originally a bus conductor and later ticket inspector... those bus station images are pearls ;-) Ha the 'FocknRollers movie' is a music related comedy rockumentary and if you never saw it Allan you will probably get the humour (English). I remember making the film at the time and watch for the outtakes at the end of the film... I can laugh just thinking about them. Regards... T

I prefer the old buildings too.

Top job!

where the dead go to die

Dreadful place