The Wedgwood Monument on Bignall Hill
John Wedgwood, coal, and a mark left on the land
Jenna Goodwin
Photographer, artist, writer, historian, explorer, animal lover, and nonconformist
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
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
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
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
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
