Methodist Church in 1810. These camp meetings became a regular feature at Mow Cop, being held to celebrate the 100th, 150th and 200th anniversaries of the first camp. In the arts The village and castle are featured prominently in the 1973 novel Red Shift, by Alan Garner. This novel was filmed by the BBC in the 1970s, and later released in a restored HD DVD in 2014. Mow Cop and its castle also feature in Alan Garner's 1966 photo-story book for children, The Old Man of Mow. The castle has also been a magnet for artists, and can be seen in everything from local watercolour and oil paintings and postcards, to ceramics made in the nearby Potteries. An engraving of it also featured on a Royal Mail stamp book in 1981. Running and cycling Since the late 20th century, Mow Cop has been known for its Killer Mile, a one-mile running race from the railway level crossing on the western side of the hill up to the castle. The race was first organized in the early 1980s by John Britton. The climb is also well known among local cyclists and features in the 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs in Britain. Murder of Steven Johnson On 22 December 1990, the body of Stoke-on-Trent taxi driver Steven Johnson, a 25-year-old married father of two children, was discovered by a dog-walker on a farm track near Castle Road in Mow Cop. His body was found close to his taxi. Johnson had last been seen picking up a fare in Hanley Road, Hanley to be dropped off in Packmoor at around 3:30AM on 22 December. He then drove from Packmoor to Mow Cop. Johnson had been assaulted inside his taxi and his throat was cut, causing his death. It was reported by Staffordshire Police that cash and valuables were not taken from the taxi and motive for the murder was unknown. The crime was featured in the March 1991 edition of BBC Crimewatch and a reconstruction was filmed. One male suspect was arrested in 2014 and released on bail for five months, but no further action followed. The murder remains unsolved as of November 2020. Notable residents Ralph Barlow (1876 in Mow Cop – 1897), footballer who played for Burslem Port Vale in the mid-1890s. Emmanuel Foster (1921–1965), English footballer, played for Mow Cop, Stoke City F.C. and Stafford Rangers F.C. Alan Jones (born 1945),