Royal Stafford was fortunate enough to have a visit from BBC Radio 4. Presenter Matthew Parris brought along historian and former Labour Party politician, Tristram Hunt to talk about Hunt’s new upcoming book, The Radical Potter.

The Radical Potter follows English potter, entrepreneur, and abolitionist, Josiah Wedgwood. Heavily based on his notebooks, letters, and the words of his contemporaries, the book follows Wedgwood’s journey as a cornerstone of the pottery industry as well as his campaigns for human rights, more specifically the abolishment of slavery and his campaigns for free trade and religious toleration.

Royal Stafford has its own part in Wedgwood’s story as we are located on the original overhouse factory owned by Josiah Wedgwood’s cousins, Long John and Thomas Wedgwood. Managing Director, Norman Tempest was able to give some insight into Josiah Wedgwood’s history and also the lasting impact he left on how the ceramic industry operates today.

You will be able to listen to the interview during BBC Radio 4’s Great Lives series. Also, if you’re interested in learning more about Josiah Wedgwood, Tristram Hunt’s “The Radical Potter” will be released on September 2nd.