Tamworth's Terracotta

Tamworth is poised to reconnect with a pivotal and powerful chapter of its industrial past. Thanks to a successful grant application from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the remarkable story of the Gibbs & Canning company, a once mighty force in the town's economic and social landscape, is being brought back into the light. The Tamworth Borough Council’s project, invites locals to become active historians, playing a central role in rediscovering the legacy of the once great company.

For over a century, the Gibbs & Canning brick, tile, and pottery works in the Glascote area was far more than just a factory; it was the lifeblood of the community. At its peak, it stood as one of the largest employers in Tamworth, its kilns and drying sheds dominating the local skyline and its fortunes directly intertwined with those of its residents. The company’s reputation for quality was renowned, producing distinctive fine terracotta, architectural ceramics that adorned buildings across the country and were exported around the world. From ornate facades on Victorian town halls to household ceramics, the imprint of Gibbs & Canning is embedded in the physical history of the nation, yet its profound local story risks fading from memory.

The project, funded by the National Lottery grant, is designed to prevent that fade. It represents a multifaceted mission to piece together the complete human narrative of Tamworth’s industrial heritage. The centrepiece of the initiative will delve into the archives and, most importantly, into the community itself. A major component involves collecting oral histories from both those that worked for the company and the descendants of Gibbs & Canning workers, capturing personal anecdotes, photographs, and artefacts that have been cherished in family homes for generations. These personal testimonies will provide the crucial colour and emotion to the project, transforming pieces of terracotta into stories of skill, pride, community, and the daily rhythm of Tamworth life.

There will be accompanying workshops, exhibitions, and public events, the project aims to weave these threads together including: • Creative clay workshops: sensory-friendly, hands-on sessions with a ceramic artist using items from the castle’s Gibbs & Canning collection, including jugs, tiles, and the iconic griffin sculpture. • Community conversations and interviews:gathering stories, insights, and ideas from local people and heritage groups. • Consultation report: a summary of community input, access needs, and suggestions for future engagement and exhibitions.

So pop along and help create a lasting picture of how Gibbs & Canning shaped the town and its people. It’s an open invitation for residents to step away from the present and contribute directly to preserving the innovative spirit of the Victorian industry that once defined Tamworth. This is more than a history lesson; it is a community effort to ensure the legacy of its industrial ancestors is not just remembered, but actively celebrated and understood for generations to come.

For more information visit: www.tamworth.gov.uk/locals-invited-explore-gibbs-and-canning-industrial-heritage-after-grant-success or to get involved email: emma-carter@tamworth.gov.uk

Image Credits: Txllxt TxllxT & Oosoom via wikipedia.org