The Red Haired Stokie

31 Mar 2025 · 18 min read

Did You Know the UK’s Ambulance Service Started in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent?

Long before paramedics in green uniforms and flashing blue lights became part of everyday life, a man in Burslem quietly changed the course of emergency care forever. In 1874, Hiram

27 Mar 2025 · 21 min read

The Terrifying Tale of Thomas Meakin, Buried Alive in Staffordshire

A chilling local legend in North Staffordshire tells of Thomas Meakin, a young man who was allegedly buried alive in 1781. The story spans the quiet village of Rushton Spencer

24 Mar 2025 · 3 min read

The Hidden WWII Pillbox Disguised as a Cottage at Rudyard Lake

Ever noticed this little brick building on the road to Rudyard Lake? It might look like an old cottage or utility building – but this curious structure is actually a WWII

22 Mar 2025 · 1 min read

Stoke Lantern Parade 2025

Stoke-upon-Trent was glowing last night for the annual Lantern Parade! The streets came alive as crowds gathered outside Stoke Library to take part in a magical evening of light, colour,

20 Mar 2025 · 4 min read

Why Bramshall Road Park in Uttoxeter is a Window into Staffordshire’s Past

We were up bright and early this morning and took the dogs for a walk at Bramshall Road Park in Uttoxeter, a place I’d never explored. Imagine my surprise

19 Mar 2025 · 5 min read

A Morning Well Spent in the Churnet Valley

This morning, I woke up, saw the sunshine, and thought, this weather is too good to waste! So I grabbed my bike, my drone, and my phone and headed off

16 Mar 2025 · 1 min read

USATC 6046: A Hardworking Steam Survivor in the Staffordshire Countryside

🚂 USATC 6046: A Hardworking Steam Survivor in the Staffordshire Countryside 🚂 Today, I filmed USATC 6046 powering through the Churnet Valley Railway, cutting through the stunning Staffordshire landscape and the post-industrial

14 Mar 2025 · 33 min read

How Stoke-on-Trent’s Six Towns Shaped the City’s Coat of Arms

Stoke-on-Trent is famously composed of six historic towns, Burslem, Fenton, Tunstall, Stoke-upon-Trent (often called Stoke Town), Longton and Hanley, each of which developed its own coat of arms or heraldic

11 Mar 2025 · 1 min read

Stoke-on-Trent's Forgotten Pauper's Graveyard - Chell Workhouse

Did you know a nearly forgotten pauper's graveyard is hidden in the middle of a housing estate in Chell, Stoke-on-Trent? Opposite the old Chell Workhouse, later Westcliffe Hospital,

5 Mar 2025 · 1 min read

The Great Pottery Throwdown Bird Baths & Gladstone Pottery Museum

Join me as I take a look at the stunning bird baths from The Great Pottery Throwdown before exploring the Gladstone Pottery Museum and Stoke-on-Trent’s incredible ceramic heritage. From

27 Feb 2025 · 1 min read

New Guided History Walks for Spring & Summer – Now Available to Book!

🌿 Spring & Summer Walks are Now Live! 🌿 Exciting news! I’ve added brand-new guided history walks to my website, perfect for spring and summer. This year, I’m expanding beyond

24 Feb 2025 · 6 min read

Historic Weatherby’s Falcon Pottery Factory in Hanley Demolished – A Cautionary Tale for Heritage Sites

The historic Weatherby’s Falcon Pottery factory in Hanley is being demolished following a Section 78 order from Stoke-on-Trent City Council. The order mandated that the owners either demolish the

15 Feb 2025 · 1 min read

Ales, Tales & Taverns: A Historic Pub Walk of Newcastle-under-Lyme

Looking for the perfect Father’s Day gift? Celebrate National Beer Day with me, Jenna Goodwin – The Red Haired Stokie, in collaboration with Newcastle-under-Lyme BID, on a fascinating pub walk

11 Feb 2025 · 1 min read

The Ruins of Woodseat Hall, Rocester: Victorian Scandal, Madness & the Fall of an Estate

Step into the scandalous past of Woodseat Hall, Rocester, Staffordshire. A tale of madness, betrayal, and inheritance battles that rocked Victorian Britain. From family feuds and eccentric heirs to courtroom

4 Feb 2025 · 1 min read

🔪✨ Mysteries, Murders & the Macabre: Discover The Dark Side of Staffordshire's History at The Mere Inn – 6th March 2025✨⚖️

🔪✨ Mysteries, Murders & the Macabre: Discover The Dark Side of Staffordshire's History at The Mere Inn – 6th March 2025✨⚖️ Join me, Jenna Goodwin, The Red Haired Stokie, for

2 Feb 2025 · 3 min read

Fossil Hunting at Lathkill Dale, Derbyshire – Ancient Sea Creatures & Hidden History!

Lathkill Dale, nestled in the heart of the Peak District, is a breathtaking landscape rich in history, geology, and natural beauty. Just a short journey from Stoke-on-Trent, this picturesque dale

30 Jan 2025 · 2 min read

Castle Classics 2024 – Join Us for the Next Show on 15th March!

Castle Classics 2024 brought the streets of Newcastle-under-Lyme to life with an incredible display of classic and retro vehicles! From iconic British classics to American muscle and rare collectables, car

17 Jan 2025 · 19 min read

Staffordshire's Forgotten Treasure: The Uttoxeter Casket, One of England’s Rarest Medieval Relics

The Uttoxeter Casket, carved in England around 1050, is a rare and remarkable glimpse into the world of late Anglo-Saxon craftsmanship. This beautifully carved wooden artefact, now housed in the