Lemmy mugs created in Motorhead singer's hometown

Alex McIntyre,BBC News, West Midlandsand
Paula White,BBC Radio Stoke
News imagePA Media Lemmy Kilmister - a man with a black cowboy hat, with a silver skull and crossbones on the front, sunglasses and a black shirt, holds an orange and red bass guitar while standing on a stage. PA Media
Lemmy Kilmister was born in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, in December 1945

A pottery firm based in Lemmy Kilmister's hometown has created a range of mugs in memory of the Motorhead singer.

Moorland Pottery, in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, made the Burslemmy mugs after being approached by artist Andy Edwards, who sculpted the recently-unveiled Lemmy statue.

A number of the mugs were sold at a festival on Sunday celebrating the rocker's life, to raise money for a project to turn a vacant theatre in the town into an 800-seater concert venue.

Jon Plant, director designer at Moorland Pottery, told BBC Radio Stoke the opportunity to create the range came "out of the blue".

"I didn't even have to think about it, it's just too good of an opportunity to miss out on," he added.

Mr Plant said his children were fans of Motorhead and they showed him a documentary about the singer, who died in 2015.

"What a bloke. I've always loved the music, what they [Motorhead] did and how important they were," he said. "I did love Lemmy but I love him even more now."

News imageJon Plant/Moorland Pottery A man with short hair, glasses and a blue and white shirt, smiles as he holds out two of the Lemmy mugs. Jon Plant/Moorland Pottery
Moorland Pottery's Jon Plant said the firm had created two designs in memory of Lemmy

Mr Plant recalled visiting the statue and speaking to people from across the world who had made the trip to see it.

"It was unbelievable, there's a real interest in Lemmy," he added. "I think the fact it [the statue unveiling] happened in Stoke-on-Trent's centenary year is brilliant and it's giving the city more momentum.

"It's such a positive thing and I really hope Burslem goes from strength to strength from this. I'm sure it will, because it's not going to stop here."

News imageReuters People gathered in front of the Lemmy statue in Burslem. Some are holding up their phones to take pictures. A large tree is behind the statue and a theatre building is visible behind it. Reuters
The statue of Lemmy Kilmister in Burslem was unveiled on 9 May

As well as a concert venue, the proposal for the Queen's Theatre revamp also includes a cafe, museum and music studios.

The venue would be called Kilmister Halls in memory of Lemmy, who was born Ian Fraser Kilmister in Burslem in 1945.

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