Unidentified pub

eddie666 · Post by **eddie666** » Fri 23 Jan, 2009 3:57 am

sundowner wrote: Si wrote: Geordie-exile wrote: Crooked Billet is quite a common pub name and originates from the days when the innkeeper would hang an identifier outside his premises - in this case a crooked branch of a tree, or crooked billet. I didn't know it was a common pub name - I don't know of any others. So you can have a billet of wood as well as a billet of metal? The forge being nearby is just coincidence, then?I bet some beer was spilt when the hammer was going! Hi Si I think i am right when i say there is a pub called the Crooked Billet in Towton near Sherborn In Elmet no steel works around there but there was a famous battle in the wars of the roses.If i am right about the pub could it refer to the troops quarters?Idont mean they stopped at the pub. Ps Just been on Google there is a Crooked Billet in Towton tradition has it it was the headquarters of the Earl of Warwick. There definately is a pub called Crooked Billet in Towton. I used to go out with a girl that worked there.Get yourself down to Towton on Palm Sunday for the Battle of Towton Day, last time I went it was £2 in and well worth the money. The had falconry, Archer display including Englands finest Longbows/Warbows, also the do a walk around the battle field and along Cock Beck were the rivers supposedly run red with blood. Brilliant day that explains the bloodiest battle on English soil.

Brandy · Post by **Brandy** » Fri 23 Jan, 2009 3:00 pm

Sounds good eddie,i might just pop along to that.

paul m · Post by **paul m** » Tue 24 Mar, 2009 11:11 pm

Many thanks to drapesy and geordie-exile and everyone else who has helped me out on this thread - I agree it most probably is the Crooked Billet.My great grandfather, Benjamin Speight Holmes (in the photograph) has been a bit of an enigma. I feel he had a very interesting life though he never talked about it to his children and certainly not to his grandchildren - my mother knew him for a while but knew nothing about him.Thanks again,Paul

paul m · Post by **paul m** » Tue 24 Mar, 2009 11:28 pm

Thanks again,The original enquiry was on Yorkshire Indexers athttp://www.yorkshireindexers.co.uk/forums/show ... hp?t=665If anyone can provide more information please get in touch ...I will get over there and photograph the war memorial soon ...Paul

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Wed 25 Mar, 2009 2:12 am

Paul - next time I am in Leeds central Library I will try to establish when William Bonner was at the Crooked Billet from Trade directories.

paul m · Post by **paul m** » Sun 29 Mar, 2009 4:10 pm

Thanks Drapesy,I would really like to put a date to the photograph.I think it probably was taken at the unveiling of the War Memorial across the road from there, in 1946, I think.Steve Miller at Yorkshire Indexers has photographed and transcribed the memorial athttp://www.yorkshireindexers.co.uk/forums/link ... &l=1249I'm going to get a print of the original and give it to the landlord/lady at the Crooked Billet. I understand they have a collection of old pub photos there ?Cheers,Paul