Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Cross-Eyed Ramblings 1

The pub The Cross Eyed Rambler is thought to date back to as early as 1703. Originally built as a wheat, hops and barley barn, it soon started to serve its own produce. By 1705 chairs and tables had been added and 'a rickety old bar, the size of a mule'. At the foot of the peaks, it soon became known as 'The Rambler' and a popular resting place for passing travellers. But by the turn of that century, according to local records it was a 'home to vagabonds, twisters and thieving braggots. Local historian of the time, Joseph Thistle commented 'To take in the Rambler on your travels was to take a risk. You were no more likely to be served a fine tankard of ale than be split from ear to ear with a scabbard'. One such man to take that risk to disastrous effect was local landowner Charles 'Charlie' Butler who according to Thistle's diary, was a man 'so skewered, so scuppered, so cut into shreds, that his own brother failed to recognise him as they threw his giblets to the dogs'. Still to this day customers in the Hops Lounge claim to hear whispers of his name coming from the fireplace where they 'laid his body to rest like a hog to roast, leaving a smell so vile that the Inn was closed for days'.

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