Stoke-on-Trent City Council has submitted new plans to rebuild and reinstall a sculpture honoring world-famous potter Josiah Wedgwood, two years after the artwork was accidentally demolished during road construction work. The proposal aims to place the reconstructed Capo sculpture near Wedgwood's former residence at Etruria Hall on Festival Park.
The original brick sculpture was created by artist Vincent Woropay for the 1986 National Garden Festival and had been prominently displayed near the Grade II-listed Etruria Hall since 2009. The artwork honored Wedgwood's significant contributions to the city's ceramics industry and served as a landmark at Festival Park for over a decade.
In February 2023, the sculpture was accidentally reduced to rubble during construction work to expand the Marina Way roundabout. The demolition error led to significant controversy, ultimately resulting in the resignation of Daniel Jellyman, the city council's former deputy leader, after it was revealed he had authorized the statue's destruction.
Council leader Jane Ashworth emphasized the extensive efforts made to restore the sculpture, stating, "Our teams have been working very hard over the last couple of years to ensure this can happen." She explained that the council has collaborated closely with Vincent Woropay's family and partnered with a local company specializing in heritage construction to ensure the sculpture can be rebuilt to high standards.
"We have worked closely with a local company which specializes in heritage construction, as well as Vincent Woropay's family, to ensure it can be reconstructed to a high standard and displayed in a prominent place which highlights the significant contribution Wedgwood made to our city's ceramics industry," Ashworth said. She added that the location near Etruria Hall is particularly fitting since Wedgwood both built and lived in the historic building.
Ashworth noted the symbolic importance of the timing, explaining, "It makes it extra special that this is going to happen in our centenary year." The council plans to unveil the reconstructed sculpture in its new location later this year, pending planning approval and successful negotiations with the landowner.
The restoration project represents the city's commitment to preserving its industrial heritage and honoring the legacy of Josiah Wedgwood, whose innovations in pottery and ceramics brought international recognition to Stoke-on-Trent. The rebuilt Capo sculpture will once again serve as a tribute to the potter's lasting impact on the region's cultural and economic identity.
