Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, is launching a bid to create Staffordshire Day, to celebrate the history and traditions of the West Midlands County.
After much deliberation, Gavin chose September 18th, the birth date of Dr Samuel Johnson as the day to honour all things Staffordshire. Dr Johnson was said to be the second most quoted Englishman after Shakespeare. His dictionary was widely recognised as one of the most influential in the history of the English language. He also overcame significant ill-health and financial barriers to achieve success. He took a principled stands against slavery, colonialism and mistreatment of indigenous peoples and also urged better treatment of prisoners of war, and he once tried to save a convicted forger from the gallows.
A shortlist of notable people from Staffordshire was drawn up which included Vera Brittain, author of Testament of Youth, Reginald Mitchell, inventor of the Spitfire plane, Josiah Wedgewood, founder of the Wedgewood pottery company, Ethelfleda, Lady of the Mercians, who fought against the Vikings and Izaak Walton, author of ‘The Compleat Angler’ – the second most reprinted book in English after the King James Bible.
The shortlist also included important things that Staffordshire has given to the world, which can also be celebrated on Staffordshire Day. The largest collection of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver metalwork, the Staffordshire Hoard, was discovered in Hammerwich in 2009 which consists of over 3,500 items. Staffordshire is also home to two of the UK’s top ten theme parks, Alton Towers and Drayton Manor, the National Memorial Arboretum and the English FA’s new National Football Centre, St George’s Park.
Manufacturing has played a significant role in Staffordshire’s industrial history. North Staffordshire started to become a centre of ceramaic production in the early 17th century, owing to availability of clay, salt, lead and coal in the local area. Hundreds of companies produced decorative or industrial ceramic items. Staffordshire also has more miles of canals than any other County and is home to the National Brewery Centre.
Staffordshire is also home to many household food items, which are popular all over the country. The first jar of marmite was produced in Burton-upon-Trent and Branston Pickle also hails from the area. Staffordshire Oatcakes, Staffordshire Fruitcake and Staffordshire Cheese, made from an old monastic recipe, produced only with milk from Staffordshire farms, are also items made famous from the County, having already received a Parliamentary seal of approval last year at the Staffordshire Food Festival.
Gavin has called on Staffordshire County Council and the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire to gather as much support for Staffordshire Day as possible.
Gavin said: “I’ve seen other great counties pay tribute to their history and traditions and I think it’s only right that we honour the wonderful County of Staffordshire. As you can see there is so much to celebrate from history, food, tradition and people that hail from this extraordinary area.
“In my research for Staffordshire Day, I discovered so much about the area that I think more people should learn about, especially the younger generations. It’s a great opportunity for schools to get students involved in our history, as Staffordshire has played such a significant part in the shaping of our country.
“There are so many outstanding achievements from the County and it is providing a difficult decision to just choose one person to honour. My preferred choice so far would be to honour the birthday of Samuel Johnson, author of ‘A Dictionary of the English Language.’ As well as his literary credentials, he was a man who fought for the rights of those who were less fortunate than himself, which is a quality that we should all admire.
“I am interested to hear people’s views on how, who and what they would celebrate about the great County of Staffordshire. I have called on the Lord Lieutenant and the County Council in order to gather as much support as possible, to make Staffordshire Day a reality.”
Gavin is encouraging people to give their own suggestions on who or what to honour on Staffordshire Day. Suggestions should be emailed to gavin@gavinwilliamson.org.