We are bringing our live coverage of Stoke-on-Trent Day to a close.

Thank you for ing us and a very happy 100th birthday to Stokies for their city!

During BBC Radio Stoke's bus tour around the city, the team spoke to of the Stoke City Old Boys.

Among them was former commentator Nigel Johnson, who covered the team for BBC Radio Stoke for 44 years in two separate spells.

“People here embrace you, I’ve been here a long time and I’m proud to be associated with Stoke-on-Trent," he said.

“This place has made a wonderful contribution to the world.”

Buried during King George V's visit in 1925, the time capsule was finally opened today, seven years after it was found at the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary.

We all want to know what treasures it held, right?

Well, among the items inside was a letter from the president of the infirmary's council to the King, a sovereign, a half sovereign, an old pound note and a number of documents.

The box also contained books, newspapers - including a copy of The Sentinel, the local newspaper - and what the hospital called "interesting facts".

The programme of King George V's visit to Stoke-on-Trent in 1925 has been displayed on the Keele University website, external.

The images, from the Warrilow Collection at the university library, detail the events and people involved throughout the day 100 years ago:

Image source, Warrilow Collection, Keele University Library

Image source, Warrilow Collection, Keele University Library

Image source, Warrilow Collection, Keele University Library

Image source, Warrilow Collection, Keele University Library

Tom Dunn
BBC Radio Stoke

The City of Stoke-on-Trent train which rolled into the station today brought a number of civic leaders from London.

Avanti West Coast managing director Andy Mellors told BBC Radio Stoke: “It’s been a really great day, being able to work with our partners to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Stoke-on-Trent becoming a city.”

He said it was great that everyone had come together to celebrate the “momentous” occasion.

Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Gareth Snell was on board the train and said it was “brilliant”.

“The city has really come together to show off the best bits of who we are and what we do to celebrate the centenary,” he added.

Deputy Lord Mayor Joan Bell, who was present at the opening of the time capsule, said 5 June 1925 was a "moment that recognised our rich industrial heritage" as well as the "strong spirit of our people".

Speaking of the time capsule itself, she said: "This box, hidden for nearly a century, is a remarkable link to our past."

She went on to to thank those who have contributed to the centenary celebrations and staff at University Hospitals North Midlands who have "given so much over the last 100 years".

Image source, UHNM

Former Stoke-on-Trent North MP Joan Walley will be among nine people who will be awarded the freedom of the city during a special council meeting later today.

Speaking of the award, she said: "I’m humbled and honoured to be amongst those to receive the freedom of the city later today."

Other people who will receive the honour include Bet365 founder Denise Coates, Port Vale co-owner Carol Shanahan and music promoter Mike Lloyd.

As you might have seen earlier on our page, BBC Radio Stoke's Stuart George has been touring the city in an open-topped red bus.

Previously this week he was hit by a tree branch while the bus was trundling past Tunstall Park.

He later accused the trees of "taking no prisoners" as he spoke to breakfast presenter Lee Blakeman with a bandage around his head.

As you can see from the image, he seems to have learned his lesson and has come prepared with a crash helmet, external today, to prevent any further injuries from future attacks.

We'd love to hear your stories of growing up and living in Stoke-on-Trent, especially what makes the city so special.

Get in touch with us.

As part of the centenary celebrations, BBC Radio Stoke has been travelling across the city and getting people to sign a huge card in the shape of an oatcake - a popular local delicacy.

Earlier today, the card was presented to the Lord Mayor Councillor Steve Watkins during presenter Stuart George's bus tour of the city.

Image source, Stoke-on-Trent City Council

Cyclists gathered at Hanley Park before starting a bike ride through the city to mark the centenary.

It followed the city's scenic China Trail, ing factories, potteries and museums, and offering people a "poignant reminder" of the area's rich ceramic heritage.

BBC Radio Stoke has been gathering the stories of people in Stoke-on-Trent about their city.

In this one, Sue Smith reveals how she ended up in the city by chance - and loves it!

Stuart George
Presenter, BBC Radio Stoke

After opening the 100-year-old time capsule, University Hospitals North Midlands NHS Trust chief executive Dr Simon Constable said people had been "very patient" since it was found in 2018.

He said inside there was a letter from the president of the Royal Infirmary's council to King George V, a sovereign, a half sovereign, an old pound note, a number of reports from the infirmary about the state of the building and an annual report from the hospital.

Dr Constable spoke about the differences between the hospital back then and the situation now, particularly as 1925 pre-dated the creation of the NHS by 23 years.

He referred to one of the reports that said the average inpatient stay at the time cost eight pounds, nine shillings and eight-and-a-half pence.

"I think that link from the past just shows you how far we've come," he added.

Image source, Isla Telford

The centrepiece of Stoke-on-Trent's centenary will be the People's Parade taking place on Saturday.

Hundreds of people will take party with the procession set to walk 1.5 miles through Hanley before ending at Hanley Park.

It will feature giant puppets - including one called the Spirit of Stoke - which will lead the parade, as well as 100 dancing cupcakes and a marching band.

Organiser Isla Telford, from community group Stoke Creates, said people from across the city were involved in bringing the parade together.

"It will all come together on the day and be absolutely incredible," she added.

Image source, Stoke-on-Trent City Council

A special City of Stoke-on-Trent train has ed through the city to celebrate its 100th anniversary.

The Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390129 was unveiled at London Euston this morning and features a City of Stoke-on-Trent nameplate as well as the city's crest.

It was welcomed by the Lord Mayor Steve Watkins as it arrived in Stoke-on-Trent, who said it was a "great honour" to see the city's name carried along the west coast line.

“This is a special moment in our Centenary year, reminding us not only of our proud past but also of the journey we continue to make as a city," he said.

"It’s a celebration of our identity, our communities and our place on the national map.”

There will be clangers dropped this evening - and on purpose - as, for the city's 100th birthday, the bells of all six towns of Stoke, Hanley, Fenton, Burslem, Longton and Tunstall will ring out at 18:30 BST.

They will chime in unison as a symbolic reminder of the "unity and shared identity" that brings them together, the city council said.

Lord Mayor Steve Watkins said: “Each bell represents the unique character and history of our six towns, and when they ring together, they remind us all of the strength and unity that define our city.”

Liz Copper
Staffordshire reporter, BBC Midlands Today

Image source, Victoria Theatre Archive

The last play written by a leading dramatist from Stoke-on-Trent received its world premiere as part of the centenary commemorations.

Arthur Berry, who grew up in the Potteries, became a prolific writer and artist before his death in 1994.

His final play, Whatever happened to Phoebe Salt, is being staged at the New Vic Theatre.

Isabella Rossi, who stars in the production, said: “To be able to be here which is a theatre which I grew up in coming to watch shows and now to be on the stage, doing a show and for such a celebration - for Arthur - for Stoke - it is just a full circle."

The show's run began on 31 May and will end on 21 June.

Throughout the day, we will be highlighting the history of Stoke-on-Trent, including the six towns that make up the city - Stoke, Tunstall, Burslem, Longton, Hanley and Fenton.

In the early 1960s, mining engineer turned local historian Bert Bentley set out to document the entire city, taking photographs of buildings or sites that existed in 1925.

Reproduced courtesy of Stoke-on-Trent City Archives, the collection of more than 6,000 images provides a visual bridge between 1925 and 2025.

Below are three of those pictures from the towns of Fenton, Hanley and Longton.

Image source, Bert Bentley/Stoke-on-Trent City Archives

Image source, Bert Bentley/Stoke-on-Trent City Archives

Image source, Bert Bentley/Stoke-on-Trent City Archives

On 5 June 1925, a time capsule was buried during King George's V's visit when he officially granted Stoke-on-Trent city status.

The box was buried at the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary and was found behind a foundation stone by a team at University Hospitals North Midlands (UHNM) in 2018 - six years after the hospital closed.

The time capsule, which contains items like coins and documents, was opened this morning by UHNM's chief executive Dr Simon Constable.

He found a letter inside the box, which he read out during a ceremony at the site this morning.