A More Inclusive Stoke-on-Trent
A dramatic drop in exclusions in Stoke's primary schools, six year old raises £5k for Dougie Mac and £2.3m Green Technologies Hub in Burslem...
Hey Knotters, a little (k)note from James here… We’ve had requests for a rate card for advertising in The Knot. So, I made one. It’s here. If you’re interested in advertising with us - fill in this form. For our first 5 advertisers, it’s 50% off. You can advertise in The Knot for as little as £20!
p.s read all the way to the bottom to tell me what questions I should ask Tim Heatley (co-founder of capital¢ric) about developments in Stoke ⬇️
Good News 🎉
🤗 A More Inclusive Stoke is Possible. Residents, businesses and community groups are being asked what more can be done to make Stoke-on-Trent a more inclusive and welcoming place to live following the public disorder in August 2024. As part of the One Stoke-on-Trent campaign, people from all backgrounds are being invited to share their experiences of living, working or studying in the city. Over the past five weeks, UK charity Protection Approaches has been carrying out the listening exercise to help build a deeper understanding of what brings communities together – and what drives them apart. Want to have your say? Fill in the online survey here. Deadline for responses is midnight on 21/09.
👩🎓🧑🎓THE KNOT’S PERSON OF THE WEEK – ELLIOT BRAMWELL 👩🎓🧑🎓
We all know someone who’s been affected by cancer, which is why continued research into the disease is so important. Elliot Bramwell, a PhD candidate in Life Sciences at Keele University and recipient of the Royal Society of Biology’s Top Student Award, is carrying out research into possible new treatments for a rare and aggressive form of cancer that primarily affects children and young people.
The study will aim to help people with Ewing sarcoma, a rare type of bone and soft tissue cancer known for its tendency to spread quickly that most commonly affects people between the ages of 10 and 20. Brightwater Research, a Shropshire-based cancer research charity, is joint-funding a new doctoral research post with the university, that will focus on finding a specific cause for why the disease spreads so rapidly and efficiently through the body.
📚 Permanent Exclusions Drop By Three Quarters in Primary Schools. Permanent exclusions have reduced in schools across Stoke-on-Trent, helping more children to remain in school. In the city’s primary schools, permanent exclusions have dropped by 76.2% compared to the 2022/23 academic year. Across all schools, the number of exclusions has fallen by 22.3 per cent over the same period. This marks a significant step forward in efforts to keep children engaged in learning and supported within mainstream education. The reduction is the result of the city council’s Education Re-engagement team and schools working closely together to understand the reasons for permanent exclusions, and find alternatives to them as well.
🔨 Construction Begins on £2.3M Advanced Green Technologies Hub at Stoke on Trent College. Stoke-on-Trent College Burslem Campus is getting some levelling up money to create a new facility that will support construction and engineering education. The campus will focus on green technologies and routes to higher-level apprenticeships in surveying, digital modelling, and advanced manufacturing.
👔 Love NUL Business Awards Are Back! Shining the spotlight on everyone from community champions to hospitality heroes, the 2025 LoveNUL Business Awards, will return on Friday 10 October at the NSCG Performing Arts Centre. Businesses can nominate themselves and the public can champion their favourites across 11 categories. For more info on the wards, including award categories and sponsorship opportunities, visit the website.
💰 Six Year Old Raises £5k for Dougie Mac. In memory of her nan, Karen Griffin, who was supported by Macmillan nurses before her death, six year old girl Frankie Griffin climbed Snowdon to raise £5,100 for the charity. Enduring temperatures of up to 32 degrees, the Griffins ascended the summit after five-and-a-half hours, a year to the day Karen died. Frankie received a certificate and a medal for her efforts and said it was a hard slog going down Snowdon.
🎾 Padel is popping off at Draycott Sports Centre. One of the first Padel courts to open around Stoke and Staffordshire, Draycott are seeing their club boom thanks to the new courts.
Exceptional 6 Bed Detached Property on Exclusive Trentham Estate (Property of the week with Heywoods). Ewelme, located at Park Drive, Trentham, includes not only a beautifully restored four-bedroom main residence but also a self-contained two-bedroom annex, offering flexible accommodation across a fifth of an acre of private, landscaped grounds. Originally designed by Sir Charles Barry, the visionary architect behind the Palace of Westminster this home gives a balance of heritage and modern luxury. View more here.
👩🍳 The Moat House Reimagined. Fancy a casual dining experience close to home? The Moat House at Acton Trussell is entering a new chapter, as on 18/09, the historic venue will unveil a more informal approach to dining. Bringing together its bar and restaurant, it will offer a relaxed space designed for cosy meals with friends and family. The menu will showcase seasonal cooking with the comforting British classics the venue is renowned for. And, as an aside, just how cool do the rooms look with that gorgeous leafy backdrop? Bookings open now.
🥨 Good Vibes Only: A word from Helen, writer at The Knot
The public disorder that ensued last August following the stabbing of three young girls from Southport fuelled by false claims that the perpetrator was Muslim and an asylum seeker swept across every corner of the country. From Sunderland to Dover, protesters attacked hotels housing asylum seekers as well as homes and businesses owned by immigrants. Anti-migrant protesters descended on Hanley, too, with 10 arrests made, while the Holiday Inn Express in Tamworth was also targeted.
During this torrid period in early August, I was due to meet an old friend from Hong Kong, where I used to live, in Derby with my family - but protests were planned that day. Concerned about what we might encounter on the train and in the city centre, we decided it would be best if my husband, who is Chinese, and my two Eurasian kids stayed at home. I remember boarding the train in Stoke feeling angry that it felt unsafe for my family to visit a nearby city on public transport, and disappointed that my youngest son wouldn’t get to see his godmother this time.
Thankfully, the counter-protests up and down the country, mobilised by groups including Stand Up to Racism, heavily outnumbered the rioters, and things began to stabilise. In response to the unrest, Stoke-on-Trent City Council launched a campaign, One Stoke-on-Trent, aimed to build social trust and promote community cohesion. What do you think Stoke do to become a more welcoming and inclusive place? There are no easy answers, but you can make your voice heard in the survey here.
Even writing The Knot and constantly seeking out positivity in Stoke, things can feel pretty depressing sometimes, and I’m currently on something of a (bad) news hiatus myself as it was starting to affect my mental health. Nevertheless, it feels important at this juncture to say that hate won’t win, and we can help ensure our city is a place where everyone feels more connected.
Really Good News 🎉 Your favourite news from the last week
🥨 Heritage Open Days Are Here: some great events coming up in September…
🎸 Meet FOARN, Stoke’s Finest Indie Rockers: these guys are going places…
🏚️ The Knot Goods Yard Review: switch to a paid subscription and you can find out what James really thinks of Goods Yard…
The Knot Interviews: We interviewed George Bettany, founder of MARA RC this years sponsor of Potters ‘Arf.
This week we are interviewing Tim Heatley (co-founder of capital¢ric) about developments at Goods Yard, Spode and NUL. What would you like to know?
Weekly Weather (Stoke-on-Trent):
Mon ☀️ 25° (14°) Tue 🌦️22° (11°) Wed 🌦️ 20° (10°) Thu 🌦️ 19° (10°) Fri 🌦️ 18° (11°)
Sat 🌦️ 18° (10°) Sun 🌦️ 17° (9°).
Sunrise 01/09 ☀️06:18 Sunset 01/09 🌅 19:59