Stoke-on-Trent is set to brew up something special this summer as part of its Centenary celebrations – with communities across the city invited to take part in a history-making Big Centenary Tea Party.

The event, which takes place at 11am on Monday, 8 July, will bring residents, businesses, schools and other organisations together for a shared moment of celebration, and the chance to break a world record.

The event, supported by a wide partnership of local organisations, will see tea parties hosted across the city and beyond, in honour of Stoke-on-Trent’s 100 years of city status.

From local parks and community halls to care homes, schools and office spaces, the Big Centenary Tea Party is set to bring communities together in celebration of the Centenary.

The tea party is being arranged by organisations including YMCA North Staffordshire, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, the Community Foundation for Staffordshire, Made in Stoke, Stoke-on-Trent College, VAST, and Stoke-on-Trent City Council, with support from the Ambassador Theatre Group and a wide range of local partners. 

The Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Councillor Lyn Sharpe, said: “This is going to be a fun-filled event involving so many people from across our city.

“I can’t wait to sit down, enjoy a friendly chat with others and tuck into a tasty cream tea. Our city’s tea sets are famous all over the world so I can’t think of a better way for us to get together for a brew in Stoke-on-Trent than this.”

“Many organisations are working behind the scenes to make this special event attempt happen as part of our centenary year celebrations. I’d like to thank them for pulling it all together.

“There is still time to take part, and you’ll help us get one [step] closer to possibly beating the record. If this happens, you’ll be able to tell your friends and family forever more, ‘I’m a record breaker!’”

The world record attempt aims to gather the largest number of people taking part in a simultaneous cream tea party across multiple venues. From garden gatherings and office events to street parties and family get-togethers, every cup of tea will count toward making history.

For more information on the Big Centenary Tea Party go to: staffordshirechambers.co.uk/tea-party.