Towns and Villages

Funky Facts about Stone...

Stone is the home of the John Joules Brewery, that brewed its very own Staffordshire produced beer from 1758.
As late as the 1950s, the company had the telephone number ‘Stone 1’.

We're told too that the town is the name behind 'stoneground' bread and flour, not because it's ground on a stone.
Bread-making was important in the town, and Hovis Bread was both invented and made here.

One Stone celebrity was Eva Morris, who was the oldest person in the world from December 1999 to her death in November 2000. She was a few days off her 115th birthday when she died.

Most Stone-ites reckon it's the canals that bring visitors into Stone, which is why it is nicknamed 'Canal Town'.

Weblinks

For links to websites about Stone, see the links box in the top right-hand corner of this page.
If you know of any that aren't listed there, please contact us at: staffordshire@bbc.co.uk

Comment

You've been contacting us on the messageboard (see below) with things to say about the town, including more Funky Facts. To add your comment, click on the link below

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What do you think about Stone?

Here are some of your comments....

If you're fit enough, the old cross-country run route from Alleyne's via Oulton to the canal & back through the fields (phew!) is highly recommended by Troll.

Chris Brookes thinks that the lack of any formal acknowledgment or memorial of the great local landscape water-colourist Peter DeWint is the worst thing about Stone.

Jean Hammond: Does anyone remember the underground shelter on Stone Downs banks ?

Stephen Edwards: Stone is my home town I grew up playing in the muddleys and downs banks. Many happy hours we all used to go in the summer to hunt Bull Ruggers (fish) and dam the stream, and to the Muddleys to Sledge in the winter.
Christ Church Middle was a great School with Mr Brewer a gentleman and likewise Mr Woods at Alleynes, not to forget Miss Lester a legend to all. And all the other great Teachers.
Our Town’s past is a marvel to ponder with the Muddleys built by the Duke of Cumberland to defeat Bonnie Prince Charlie who heard and took a detour!
The Breweries of Joules and Bents - a fine ale I am told (alas too young to sample the original).
Our Town's Military history is long and proud, the first volunteers being formed during the Napoleonic wars, and even a troop of cavalry; the Downs Banks being used as a rifle range from 1790 to 1940's - not to forget Admiral Jervis, Nelson's senior Officer at Trafalgar. The rifle volunteers were an integral part of the town with its band a forerunner of Stone Town Band.
During WW1 the members of the 5th North Staffs proudly marched away in 1914 to suffer many losses - remember Hohenzollern 1915 when the town lost its first major group of Heroes. Of course people served in all branches just look at our memorial and remember the same during WW2 - Brave men and women went to serve and many more were lost to defend our homes. Give then a thought as you pass by take your time read the names. Perhaps join the people of our Town on Remembrance Day.

According to Muttley the most famous thing about Stone is the County Cricket ground.

PAL says the best things in Stone are the bars - and the canal, Keith also agrees. In fact Tup loves the high standard of beers available in all the local pubs! Andrew agreed and suggests that families would find Stone a great day out as the pubs are children-friendly...

Most famous things about Stone -

Elaine wrote in: "In the 1880s we have Richard Smith from our town inventing Hovis bread (though he is buried in Highgate, London. I saw a 'Hovis House' in Yoxall Ave in Penkhull. Is that anything to do with the bread?"
Joules' Brewery - which Bass took over and closed after over 500 years of brewing.. says earlstvincent
JM says: The Canal & St Michaels Church (apparently built on the site of an ancient priory)
Den Perry suggests... how about the Quireboys ... 1987/8 Glam Rock type of band
Home of Hovis, and the Trent and Mersey Canal, Duke of Cumberland (his troops stopped there in the 17th century before a big battle), was the stopping point on the Liverpool - London post route....the list goes on!

Memories
Terry now in Wolverhampton asks: Does anyone remember "Raggitts" in the square by the Crown, or J.G.s {Jimmy Greaves"!) - and where is Dave Roycroft now?