1975: ATV visit ‘The Crooked House’

The Crooked House, which had become the pub’s name in recent years, was back in 1975 still known as the ‘Glynne Arms’ at Himley in Staffordshire. The building which was originally a farm house was built in 1765. A coal mine tunnel running under its left side saw it subside in the 1800s. It first opened as a bar ‘The Siden Arms’ and became famous for its wonky interior which saw bottles roll ‘up hill’.

The building was condemned in 1950, but the brewery made significant structural additions which made it good enough to stand for another 100 years. In 1982 The Good Pub Guide named the Glynne Arms as ‘the most extraordinary pub in Britain’. It often attracted people from all over the world to visit its unique features.

The building was sold last month, and burned down over the weekend. The cause of the blaze is being investigated but it has left many calling for it to be restored to its former, wonky, glory.

But back to happier times when in 1975 Peter Green interviewed then landlord Arthur Love and his wife…