Welcome to
Good News for Stoke & Staffordshire đ
The Knot is Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshireâs source of independent, quality and optimistic journalism. Weâre tired of our region being misrepresented by clickbait. Weâre tired of the local news focusing on feeding negativity to the masses for more pop- up ads. We deserve better. Weâre here to do better.
The Knot is for people who are passionate about Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire and who are curious about how the region is changing. We are here to be a force for good in our region and we want the best for our people. We believe by providing an honest, challenging and bold form of news - weâll play our part in regenerating Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire for the better.
What to expect đđź
âď¸ Monday, Good News: A round up of positive and inspiring stories about whatâs going on in our region, the weather for the week, a weekly cartoon and our most-loved stories.
â ď¸ Tuesday, Whatâs On: A comprehensive list of events and things to do across Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire.
âď¸ Wedneday, Feature: A featured article on an inspiring individual in our region, an episode of The Knot Podcast or a piece of investigative journalism
We donât currently cover sport, crime, births/deaths. We focus on culture, entertainment, arts, business, politics, community and profiling inspiring people.
Our editorial guidelines đ°
Positive. We will focus on good news and whatâs going well.Â
Hopeful. We will champion S-O-T & Staffordshire.
Balanced. We will try to see every side of every story.
Challenging. We will not be afraid to say what needs to be said.
Our Geography đşď¸
The Knot has a unifying belief at itâs core. Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire are stronger together. Therefore our journalism and media will work to connect them.
Any news from across Staffordshire is relevant to us and we want to encourage co-operation, collaboration and a shared identity across Staffordshire.
Our current focus is on Stoke-on-Trent & North Staffordshire. However our long term vision is to give equal reporting across the whole of Staffordshire.
Whoâs writing The Knot âđź
James Routledge - Founder
Born in Meir Heath. Family across Stoke-on-Trent. A family tree in North Staffordshire for 200 years. School in Staffordshire Moorlands. Other halfâs family in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Many nights out âup Hanley and 'Castle in my late teens/early twenties. Now living in Stone. Close friends in Lichfield. Big fan of Cannock Chase. I travelled around and lived in London for 10 years. I found myself back here and made it my mission to tell a new story about this place. Founded mental health business, Sanctus. Wrote a book with Penguin on Mental Health at Work. Created MSc Entrepreneurship with Uni of Staffs. Current Album: The Knot. Favourite spots: BEAR, Little Dumpling King & Whitmore Lakes. I love a challenge.
Get in touch about: big stories, partnerships, sponsorship, feedback on The Knot.
Email: james@theknot.group
Helen Dalley - Editor
Born in Stoke-on-Trent on the same day as Robbie Williams, freelance writer Helen Dalley often finds herself explaining where she lives (the little village of Fulford near Meir Heath) to other Stokie residents. She began her journalism career on Guitarist and Total Guitar magazines and is still totally obsessed with music, especially the loud guitar kind. Helen lived in Hong Kong for 12 years and swapped the concrete canyons, 7-11s and on-tap taxis for sleepy village life once her two kids were born. She writes the Good News, What's On and Unsung Heroes columns for The Knot. When not writing, she loves running (very slowly) down country lanes looking for rabbits, going to gigs, decaf coffees at BEAR and getting muddy at the Shugborough Estate.
Get in touch about: stories, events, press releases, press passes, good news, features, inspiring people.
Email: dalley.helen22@gmail.com
Hannah Hiles - Writer
Iâm a freelance journalist and writer with a strong interest in heritage, regeneration, arts and culture. I live in my hometown of Newcastle-under-Lyme and I love it here. Iâve previously been a senior journalist at The Sentinel/ Stoke-on-Trent Live (with stints in the 2000s and the 2020s) and the Birmingham Mail. I believe deeply in the power of local journalism to shine a light into dark places and to celebrate all the things that are great about our city.
Away from work I have two sons and a dog, and can usually be found reading a book or watching Port Vale FC (but don't hold that against me!).
Get in touch about: things of interest that you know about but we might not
Email: hannah.hiles@gmail.com
Get in touch about:
Email:
Jenna âThe Red Haired Stokieâ Goodwin - Heritage Writer & Creator (The Knot Life)
Jenna Goodwin, born & bred in Stoke-on-Trent, known as "The Red Haired Stokie" is dedicated to uncovering and sharing the hidden stories of the Potteries through her work as a writer, historian, photographer and artist. Her videos and writing focus on bringing the cityâs past to life, from documenting the remnants of Stoke-on-Trentâs industrial history to highlighting the vibrant communities that continue to shape its future.
Through The Knot and her other projects, Jenna invites people to discover the regionâs hidden gems, find beauty in the familiar, explore the city's hidden corners, hear the whispers of its past, and fall in love with the beauty in even the simplest of subjects.
Get in touch about: history, heritage, historic buildings, events in Stoke-on-Trent & North Staffordshire, theknot.life
Email: trhstokie@gmail.compport of our members and sponsors keeps our fire burning.
Business Model đ¸
The Knot is supported by our readers and by our sponsors. Our readers opt to support our work by subscribing to become a paid member. Sponsors pay to be included within our newsletters.
The support of our members and sponsors keeps our fire burning.
Join our community. Join our movement. Join The Knot.
And remember, whenever you see something positive happening in Stoke-on-Trent or Staffordshire, just think; âthatâs one for The Knot!â
