The Great Heywood ‘Monstrous Birth’ of 1683, Staffordshire’s strangest medical mystery Over 300 years ago, a traumatic labour in Great Heywood, Staffordshire led to one of the strangest medical cases ever recorded in Staffordshire. This case would go on to reach Robert Plot and the Royal Society.
Beneath Victoria Hall, the old cells hiding under one of Hanley’s grandest buildings Beneath Victoria Hall lies one of Hanley’s most unusual surviving historic spaces, old holding cells once linked to the civic and judicial life of the Town Hall complex, now cleverly reused as dressing rooms.
facism The Rise of Fascism in Stoke-on-Trent The language feels disturbingly familiar: a forgotten people, a broken system, and promises that only a strong leader can put things right. But this is not just a story about today. It is a warning from Stoke-on-Trent’s own past, when division, blame and extremism found a foothold in the Potteries.
leek 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 of the Victorian industrial boom, this Grade II listed structure stood for nearly 170 years as a testament to Leek’
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.
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 moments happened here, in Staffordshire, at Holbeache House, on the Staffordshire-West Midlands border. And for something so closely tied to
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 day without really seeing them. It was one of those days when the town feels calm, and you start noticing
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 turned up for a free, local event that anyone could enjoy. The park was busy without being overwhelming, full of
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 can date it more accurately, please do let me know in the comments. We are so lucky that people loved
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 part of the city’s centenary. Fred invited me as his guest, and I recorded his speech so everyone who
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.
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 Bentilee to watch the huge procession ride past, and I honestly don’t think I have ever seen as many
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 if you’ve been meaning to get one, now is the moment. A huge thank you to everyone who has
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 followers, and I actually worked it out… on average, only 0.76% of you ever get shown my posts. Less
The Staffordshire Signal Has Landed – My Biggest Project Yet! The first edition is available to read now
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 its day. But that isn’t the full story. In this video, I take a walk through Hanley on a
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.” It is a story that has been told for generations in the Potteries, but how much of it is true?
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 Project of the Year at the LoveNUL Business Awards 2025. Out of more than 650 nominations, we’ve been chosen
Discover Stoke-on-Trent’s Heritage Through the 2026 Calendar by The Red Haired Stokie Available to pre-order now
Oliver’s Mill Middleport - Stoke-on-Trent’s Forgotten Flint Mill Oliver’s Mill in Middleport, Stoke-on-Trent, is opening its doors for Heritage Open Days. Built in 1909 by Oliver & Sons of Burslem, this Grade II listed flint mill was once home to three historic calcining ovens known as Jumbo, Middle and Office. These ovens fired flint stones for three
Who is Tim Heatley? Social Impact, Stoke-on-Trent & The Story Behind Capital & Centric I sat down with Tim Heatley, founder of Capital&Centric, for a chat about their developments in Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme.
England’s Oldest Legible Gravestone – Anne Green at St Peter’s Church, Alstonefield, Staffordshire Did you know that Staffordshire is home to the oldest legible gravestone in England? Nestled in the peaceful churchyard of St Peter’s Church, Alstonefield, the gravestone of Anne Green, who died in April 1518, has survived over 500 years and remains clearly readable today. The gravestone is circular, with
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