Members of the Friends of Wednesfield Burial Ground teamed up with the 2nd Wednesfield Explorers for a creative workshop inspired by Minton encaustic tile designs. The result is a striking installation that now forms the centrepiece of a new exhibition at Wolverhampton’s Central Library between 29 September – 9 October 2025.

A report on the opening of the mortuary chapel stated:

“The floor is tastefully laid with Staffordshire tiles, and the small communion with Minton’s encaustic tiles.” 

28th May 1861, Birmingham Daily Post

The starting point was a fragment of patterned tile which was discovered at the site of the former Mortuary Chapel in the burial ground. We know that these decorative tiles would have been behind the communion rail and the remainder of the chapel was laid with blue, red and white Staffordshire tiles. The fragment was matched to a tile pattern in a catalogue titled ‘Examples of Old English Tiles Manufactured by Minton & Co.’

Reproduced courtesy of ‘Stoke-on-Trent City Archives’.

Led by Marie Sewell, with Creative Support from Graham Stubbs, the workshop was inspired by Victorian tile stencilling, a technique once widely used in homes and public buildings in place of costly decorative tiling. 

The Explorers first applied a base coat and let it dry, before taping one of three stencils in place and carefully stencilling on the pattern. The completed tiles were laid in position on the board to complete the display.

After the event, the Explorers said they had enjoyed learning about Wednesfield’s history. The project also helped them earn their Creative Arts Activity Badge, which involves taking part in a creative project and exhibiting their work.

With thanks to 2nd Wednesfield Explorers, Wednesfield History Society, St Thomas’ Church, Wednesfield, and Stoke-on-Trent City Archives.

This project is supported by Hands On Wednesfield and Creative Black Country as part of Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places National Portfolio programme.