The Red Haired Stokie

30 Mar 2026 · 2 min read

The History and Tragic Demolition of Leek’s Big Mill

The skyline of Leek, Staffordshire, has changed forever following the catastrophic fire and subsequent demolition of its most iconic industrial landmark: The Big Mill. Built in 1857 during the peak

4 Jan 2026 · 7 min read

What’s Left of Hagley Hall? Exploring Rugeley’s Forgotten Estate

Researching Hagley Hall does not start in an archive. It starts on the ground. This walk through Rugeley follows the surviving traces of a medieval moated manor, a later demolished hall, and the wider landscape that once supported the estate.

1 Jan 2026 · 8 min read

The Gunpowder Plot’s Forgotten Ending in Staffordshire

Most people know the rhyme. Bonfires, fireworks, Guy Fawkes masks, and school lessons that start and end in London. But the Gunpowder Plot didn’t finish beneath Westminster. Its final

29 Dec 2025 · 5 min read

The Wedgwood Monument on Bignall Hill

John Wedgwood, coal, and a mark left on the land

28 Dec 2025 · 7 min read

A Quiet Walk Through Stafford and Victoria Park

Today we took the dogs for a peaceful wander around Victoria Park and through the heart of Stafford, stopping to linger at places that so many people walk past every

16 Dec 2025 · 1 min read

Urban Wilderness Winter Gathering 2025, Queen's Park, Longton, A Free Local Lantern Parade for Everyone

We headed down to Queen's Park in Longton for the Winter Gathering 2025 by Urban Wilderness CIC, and it was genuinely lovely to see just how many people

11 Dec 2025 · 1 min read

Step Back in Time: Newcastle-under-Lyme on Film, 1960s

Newcastle-under-Lyme as you may never have seen it. I came across this wonderful old film, which looks, judging by the cars and shopfronts, to be from the 1960s. If anyone

9 Dec 2025 · 1 min read

Fred Hughes on 100 Years of Stoke on Trent, Recorded Live at His Book Launch

Today I had the privilege of attending the launch of Fred Hughes’ new book, Stoke on Trent, The Story of a City 1925 to 2025, held at Stoke Minster as

7 Dec 2025 · 4 min read

The Failure of Grade II Listing: Why Heritage Law Must Change After Burslem's Hill Works Arson

The tragic demise of the Hill Works in Burslem is more than a local disaster; it is another profound failure of our current heritage protection system.

30 Nov 2025 · 1 min read

The 47th Star Bikers Charity Toy Run, Stoke on Trent’s Most Iconic Festive Ride

Today, we headed out to support one of Stoke-on-Trent’s most treasured traditions: the 47th Star Bikers Charity Toy Run. We began at the Britannia Stadium before heading over to

29 Nov 2025 · 2 min read

Last chance to order your 2026 Stoke-on-Trent Calendar

This weekend is the very last chance to order the 2026 Stoke-on-Trent calendar. Pre-orders close on 1 December, then they go straight to print and will be posted out, so

10 Nov 2025 · 1 min read

Come with me to build a community on Patreon

Most of you never actually see my work. Across all platforms, I have over 76,000 followers as The Red Haired Stokie. On Facebook alone, I have nearly 40,000

20 Oct 2025 · 2 min read

The Staffordshire Signal Has Landed – My Biggest Project Yet!

The first edition is available to read now

12 Oct 2025 · 1 min read

What’s Really Happening in Hanley: Stoke-on-Trent’s City Centre Has More Than You Think

Hanley, the city centre of Stoke-on-Trent, has had more than its fair share of bad press. Online, it’s often painted as a ghost town, a place that’s had

30 Sep 2025 · 4 min read

The Origins of Potholes: Did Stoke-on-Trent Give the World Its Most Hated Word?

Ask anyone in Stoke-on-Trent where potholes came from and you may hear the same answer: “Potters dug clay out of the roads and that is why we call them potholes.

30 Sep 2025 · 1 min read

Win a Stoke-on-Trent 2026 Calendar for just £1

And support a good cause!

23 Sep 2025 · 1 min read

We’ve Been Shortlisted for an Award – and We Need Your Vote!

I’m so excited to share some incredible news – The Staffordshire Signal CIC, a project I created alongside my work as The Red Haired Stokie, has been shortlisted for Community

17 Sep 2025 · 2 min read

Discover Stoke-on-Trent’s Heritage Through the 2026 Calendar by The Red Haired Stokie

Available to pre-order now