Spirited Stoke: Spiritualism in the Everyday Life of Stoke-on-Trent (SpELS)

“Spiritualism in the Everyday Life of Stoke-on-Trent”（SpELS）是一个研究项目，研究精神和灵性是如何在斯托克市被承认或隐藏的（“斯托克”是流行的集体名称，用于组成斯托克市的六个城镇：朗顿，伯斯勒姆，芬顿，汉利，斯托克和通斯托尔）。招魂术是一种哲学和宗教，其基础是相信灵魂在肉体死亡后继续活着，并且通过训练有素的媒介与精神进行沟通是可能的。人们常常认为招魂术是一种过去的宗教，然而，从最新的人口普查数字和英国招魂术教会的持续存在来看，毫无疑问招魂术今天仍然在实行。作为一个在工业衰退后一直试图更新其身份的城市，斯托克主要专注于重建其建筑环境和提高其陶器遗产的计划。然而，这座城市一直在努力改变人们对其终极平凡的看法。然而，我们觉得斯托克比它的工业过去能提供更多。例如，很少有人知道在七英里半径内有三个非常活跃的招魂教堂，其中一个是戈登希金森的家，他是招魂全国联盟任职时间最长的主席。随着城市的工业衰退，斯托克也是一个蓬勃发展的招魂运动的国家中心。我们相信，这一隐藏的遗产揭示了斯托克神秘而迷人的一面，这一面已被其工业遗产所掩盖。SpELS研究项目旨在通过将城市，博物馆和通灵教堂的成员聚集在一起进行对话，揭开斯托克隐藏的通灵过去。为了做到这一点，该项目将在格莱斯顿陶器博物馆举办一个展览，并将其与“精神之路”联系起来，这些精神之路将通往陶器博物馆和艺术画廊的永久收藏品，以及贯穿城市的突出地方，这些地方的历史中有精神。公众人士亦有机会参加活动和通灵示范，并分享他们的灵性经验。我们希望，这将鼓励人们反思精神在其生活中的作用，并让人们看到往往被视为禁忌的经历。

'Spiritualism in the Everyday Life of Stoke-on-Trent' (SpELS) is a research project looking at how spirit and Spiritualism are acknowledged or hidden in the city of Stoke ('Stoke' is the popular collective name used for the six towns which make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent: Longton, Burslem, Fenton, Hanley, Stoke and Tunstall). Spiritualism is a philosophy and religion based on the belief that the soul continues to live following the death of the physical body and that communication with spirit is possible through the channel of trained mediums. It has often been assumed that Spiritualism is a religion of the past, however, from the latest Census numbers and the on-going presence of Spiritualist churches in Britain, there is no doubt that Spiritualism is still being practised today.As a city that has been attempting to renew its identity following industrial decline, Stoke has mainly focused on plans to regenerate its built environment and heighten its pottery heritage. However, the city has struggled to change the perception of its ultimate ordinariness. Yet, we feel that there is more that Stoke has to offer than its industrial past. For instance, few are aware that there are three very active Spiritualist churches within a seven mile radius, and one of them was the home to Gordon Higginson, the longest serving President of the Spiritualist National Union. As the city's industries were declining, Stoke was also the national hub of a thriving Spiritualist movement. We believe that this hidden legacy reveals a mysterious and enchanted side to Stoke that has been overshadowed by its industrial heritage.The SpELS research project aims to uncover the hidden Spiritualist past of Stoke by bringing together the city, museums, and members of the Spiritualist churches in conversation. To do this, the project will feature an exhibition at the Gladstone Pottery Museum and link it with 'spirit trails' that will run to the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery's permanent collection as well as through the city - highlighting places that feature spirit in their histories. Members of the public will also have the opportunity to attend events and mediumship demonstrations, and share their own spiritual experiences. We hope that this will encourage people to reflect upon the role of spirit in their lives and give visibility to experiences that are often considered taboo.