Twin Stoke-on-Trent with an astronomical body!

Town-twinnings often occur almost upon a subterfuge platform with little, if any, effect or benefit being transmitted to the people inhabiting the towns or cities being forcably tied together. We began our drive to twin Stoke with an astronomical body in a genuine effort to open up the minds of the inhabitants of Stoke-on-Trent to both the wonders of the cosmos and also the physical and social history of their city.

We identified Stephan's Quintet as being the best candidate for this twinning for two major reasons. Primarily we linked the age of the light coming from Stephan's Quintet and the age of the coal deposits beneath Stoke as being from a similar era - 304 million years old. Secondly, Stephan's Quintet is comprised of five, possibly six smaller galaxies that are slowly merging to form one super-galaxy - this holds parallels with Stoke's own multi-centred identity.

If the twinning were made official, it would enliven Stoke as an exciting place with real physical relationships with distant, exotic locations. The potential for public stargazing events and other educational opportunities would also increase.

I please ask you to consider this drive seriously and pledge your support by signing the petition.

Many thanks,
Carl Gent, Campaign Manager.