In June The Arts Society Chief Executive, Dr Florian Schweizer, passed through the potteries area as part of his sponsored run to raise awareness for the work of The Arts Society and the activities at the grassroots of the organisation. Seen off by the deputy Lord Lieutenant, Julie Arkle, from the Portmerion shop in Longton, and sustained by the area’s famous oatcakes, Florian routed through the six towns of Stoke-on-Trent, Fenton, Stoke, Hanley, Burslem and Tunstall where Lillian Dodd, Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, presented him with the cheque for £1,000 raised by the Arts Society North Staffordshire.

Starting in in the Chilterns in January this year (2018 being the Golden Anniversary of The Arts Society) Dr Schweizer has been running fifty 10-km distances in various locations around the UK and abroad to reflect the diverse communities and landscapes our Societies operate in.
Florian’s aim is to visit places where our societies have local impact and connect with historic buildings, arts centres and many other venues of artistic interest.

Pictures show: (L-R) John Snape, Margaret Thompstone (Chairman), Dr Schweizer, Lillian Dodd (Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent), Bill MacAuliss (pathfinder), Geoff Thompstone and Bronwen Montgomery; and (above) receiving the cheque.