Crooked House calendar captures pub's history

PA Media The front of The Crooked House pub, which is crooked due to subsidence causing one side of the pub to partially sink. The Crooked House sign is over the front door in gold letters with Banks's Ale twice at the top of the building in white letters. A green sign in front of the pub says "The Crooked House - Fine Banks's Ales".PA Media
The Crooked House was known as Britain's wonkiest pub

Campaigners who want to see Britain's wonkiest pub rebuilt have created a calendar featuring historical pictures of the venue and its customers.

The 18th Century Crooked House pub in Himley, near Dudley, was the subject of an arson attack and then demolished 48 hours later, causing shockwaves across the country.

Its owners have been ordered to rebuild it, but they have lodged an appeal and an inquiry is due to be held in the spring.

Members of the Save the Crooked House campaign group hope the calendar will help people recognise the importance of the pub to the area's heritage.

Campaigner Ian Sandall told BBC Radio WM the calendar was all about telling the story behind the pub as well as the people who worked and drank there.

"It's heritage, it's culture and it's part of our history," he said.

"We've tried to vary the photos in there but they're all of people who've got memories [of the pub]. People can look at these photos and reminisce throughout the year."

Many of the images featured in the calendar, being sold to raise campaign funds, have been sent in to the group.

A calendar with a brick pattern in the background and featuring pictures of people outside the Crooked House pub over the years. The top says 2025 Calinda and the title at the bottom says People of the Crooked House.
The calendar has been written in Black Country dialect

Mr Sandall said some of the photos included had never been seen by the public before, with one dating back almost 100 years.

As well as the calendar, Christmas cards featuring the pub have also been made for the second year running.

Mr Sandall said the creations would help to keep the pub at the forefront of people's minds while they wait for the inquiry.

"The ultimate aim is to get the pub rebuilt in its former glory so we can all go back and be stunned and amazed by the crookedness of it," he said.

A display of Crooked House Christmas cards and the new calendar placed on a table in the BBC Radio WM studio. The walls behind are purple and two BBC Radio WM microphones are set up behind the display.
The calendar, pictured on the right, showcases the venue's history

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