What’s the most famous address in Stoke-on-Trent? The Wedgwood Museum perhaps or the Potteries Shopping Centre?

Thanks to Titanic mania, we have a new contender – Well Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.

This unassuming terraced street was the birthplace of a certain Edward Smith – humble beginnings for someone who rose to be Commodore of the White Star Line and Captain of RMS Titanic.

Of course, this would have been an unremarkable footnote in British history, if it wasn’t for that iceberg.

Captain Smith went down with his ship on 15 April, 1912 – and 100 years later his birthplace has suddeny become a major story.

Well Street has seen a procession of journalists, camera crews and photographers in recent days. It was namechecked on BBC’s the One Show and  featured on national and regional news programmes both in the UK and as far away as Russia.

It is a good bet that not many people knew of the link between the back streets of Hanley and the Titanic disaster until recent times.

Titanic Brewery, based in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, was named as an affectionate tribute to the little known link.

Many months ago, discussions began on how the brewery could commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Titanic disaster in an appropriate manner.

I have worked with Titanic Brewery on their media relations for several years and, so, became involved in the plan to sponsor a plaque in tribute to Captain Edward Smith.

The rest, as they say, is history…….