The Red Haired Stokie

4 Nov 2024 · 4 min read

Discover Stoke-on-Trent’s Heritage Through the 2025 Calendar by The Red Haired Stokie

As a lifelong resident of Stoke-on-Trent, I’ve always felt a deep connection to this city’s history, culture, and industrial legacy. Every corner of Stoke has a story, and

9 Oct 2024 · 10 min read

400 Acres of Staffordshire Green Fields to Be Replaced by Industrial Batteries and Solar Panels in Werrington - Is This the Future of Our Countryside?

A massive solar farm project, stretching across nearly 400 acres from Wetley Rocks to Werrington on the edge of Stoke-on-Trent, has sparked outrage among local residents and environmental advocates. This

27 Sep 2024 · 8 min read

Reviving Stockton Brook Waterworks: Victorian Engineering Meets Modern Creativity

From Victorian Innovation to a Hub for Art, Nature, and Heritage Built-in 1884 by the Staffordshire Potteries Waterworks Company, Stockton Brook Waterworks was one of several pumping stations constructed to

10 Sep 2024 · 9 min read

The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance: Britain’s Oldest Folk Tradition

The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance is one of the oldest and most intriguing folk customs in Britain, and its unique combination of ancient symbolism, rural traditions, and local pride makes

29 Aug 2024 · 9 min read

Celebrating Potteries Bottle Oven Day: The History, Function, and Legacy of Bottle Ovens

The Industrial Revolution brought about tremendous changes in manufacturing, particularly in the ceramic industry. A key element of this transformation was the development and use of bottle ovens. These iconic

22 Aug 2024 · 6 min read

Heritage Meets Innovation: The Potteries Museum's Revamp for the 21st Century

The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, located in the heart of Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, has been the centre of cultural heritage for the city since its establishment. It was originally opened

22 Aug 2024 · 2 min read

Urgent: Foxfield Railway Needs Our Help!

This is a call to action! Foxfield Railway, our local heritage railway, has had its original Facebook page hijacked and rebranded as 'The Train Buff'. They’ve lost

21 Aug 2024 · 7 min read

Bethesda Chapel: Shaping the Future of the Cathedral of the Potteries

This morning, Bethesda Chapel in Hanley opened its doors for a special event, inviting the community to discuss the future of one of Stoke-on-Trent’s most treasured heritage sites. Often

16 Aug 2024 · 5 min read

A Piece of the Past: The History of Stafford’s Chapel Tower

If you've ever wandered through the Guildhall Shopping Centre in Stafford, you might have noticed a curious tower standing tall amidst the modern structures. It's easy

15 Aug 2024 · 5 min read

Explore Stoke-on-Trent’s History for Free: Highlights of the 2024 Heritage Open Days Festival

This morning, I had the pleasure of visiting the Etruria Industrial Museum, where I joined members of The Heritage Network to launch the 2024 Heritage Open Days festival in Stoke-on-Trent

12 Aug 2024 · 3 min read

Exploring Burslem's Past with The Red Haired Stokie - Guided History & Heritage Walk - 24th September 2024

Date: Tuesday 24th September Time: Meet at 10:00 AM Meeting Point: Market Place Café, next to the Town Hall Distance: Approximately 3 miles Duration: Around 3 hours Guide: Jenna

2 Aug 2024 · 5 min read

Spode Factory’s Future: A Community-Led Regeneration Rooted in Heritage

During a meeting held yesterday at the historic Spode Factory site, Stoke-on-Trent City Council unveiled ambitious plans for the site’s future. Led by City Director John Rouse and Jonathan

23 Jul 2024 · 9 min read

Tilstone House, Cheshire: From Aristocratic Splendour to a Tragic End

Tilstone House, a majestic neo-Tudor mansion built in 1888, has stood as a testament to aristocratic elegance and architectural grandeur for over 130 years. Originally commissioned by the Old Etonian

17 Jul 2024 · 5 min read

From Heritage to Innovation: Stoke-on-Trent Awarded Prestigious World Craft City Status

Stoke-on-Trent, affectionately and famously known as "The Potteries," has proudly been awarded World Craft City status by the World Crafts Council. This prestigious accolade propels the city onto

8 Jul 2024 · 5 min read

Hidden History in the Woods of Keele University: The Bofors WW2 Gun Mount

Nestled within the tranquil woods of Keele University lies a piece of hidden history: a solitary Bofors gun mount, a relic of a time when the university grounds played an

27 Jun 2024 · 6 min read

Vernon's Folly: The Eccentric Deercote of Sudbury Hall

As you drive along the A50 between Stoke-on-Trent and Ashbourne, you may have noticed a strange castle-like structure in a field alongside the road. Tucked away within the lush grounds

10 Jun 2024 · 20 min read

Meir Aerodrome - The Lost Airport of Stoke-on-Trent

Meir Aerodrome, also known as Stoke-on-Trent Municipal Airport, has a rich and varied history that mirrors the broader changes in aviation and military history throughout the 20th century. Located in

6 Jun 2024 · 6 min read

80 Years On - The Staffordshire Yeomanry's Crucial Role in the D-Day Landings at Normandy

Sword Beach and Beyond: The Staffordshire Yeomanry's D-Day Story On June 6, 1944, Allied forces launched the largest seaborne invasion in history, known as D-Day, marking the beginning