We see an archaeological dig in the yard of a Stoke on Trent pottery. The history of the local industry is explained by David Seckers, the curator of the Gladstone Pottery Museum using stills and illustrations. The story is continued by another piece to camera from expert Robert Copeland who talks about coal and canals and their role in the pottery industry (also using many illustrations).
We then see a canal and flint grinding mill and views of a stationary steam engine in operation. This links to shots of the pottery kiln at the Gladstone museum and b/w archive of smoking factory chimneys in Stoke (from 'The Five Towns'). We then see views of derelict kilns and one being demolished. Back at the Gladstone museum a man restoring brick work talks about kiln construction techniques and inside a kiln Douglas Challinor explains how the firing process worked illustrated with b/w archive film of a kiln being loaded with saggers. After a display of finished pottery items we visit a disused brick works which includes rows of derelict brick beehives (19th century industry used millions of bricks).
Next we see a brick built glass cone at Stuart Crystal near Stourbridge where Dr John Fletcher interviews Mr Stuart who worked in the factory before it closed in 1938. After b/w stills of glass workers we see views of modern glass blowing.
Programme Consultant: Dr Jennifer Tann
Commentary spoken by Gwyn Richards
Camera: Kevin Latimer
Sound: John Marshall
Film Editor: John McCarthy
Producer: Donald Shingler