We heard this story from the lovely guide at Crich. If you have not been, go. It is great. In the bustling centre of early 20th century Stoke on Trent, a pub stood next to a tram stop. Across the busy road, hopping from one foot to another, a boy stood holding an urgent message. At last, there was a slender gap in the tireless procession of trams and carts. He dived across and dashed in through the pub doorway. ‘Message for the master!’ he chirped. The landlord looked at him kindly, took the message and gave him a coin. ‘Get the tram home’, he said, ‘You’re a good lad.’ Riches untold. The enterprising child thanked the landlord, pocketed the coin and sneakily jumped on the side of the next tram, holding on and ducking down. There was a jolt, a scream… he fell under the tram and on to the track. They carried his broken body into the pub, but he died before a doctor could be found. A hundred years later, the pub was dismantled, brick by brick and tile by tile. It was carried to Crich Tramway Village, reassembled and reopened. Soon after, staff working there started to see the shadow of a young boy, moving around in the upstairs room…. Haunted pubs! Why are there so many of them? Is it because a lot of pub buildings are old, and have been full of life for a long time? Is it because stories get told in pubs, and there is no reason to let a boring fact spoil a good yarn? We have been told, at one time or another, that these Belper houses have something lurking within:
The George and Dragon
Yardley’s
The Black Swan
The Nag’s Head
Four, all within the small town centre. They probably represent the tip of the iceberg. We would love to hear from anyone who knows more, or who can fill out the stories we have so far…
