Thousands of bricks from The Crooked House are securely locked away in symbolic padlocking ceremony
Tens of thousands of bricks from the demolished remnants of The Crooked House were locked away in metal storage containers in a special 'padlocking ceremony' today.
More than 25,000 bricks have been salvaged, cleaned and stored on pallets at the site in Himley since last week, as campaigners have continued to call for 'Britain's wonkiest pub' to be rebuilt.
On Saturday, scores of people attended a 'ceremony of the locks', which saw the contractors and campaigners place a lock on the containers storing the original bricks of the building to secure them from theft.
Dudley North MP Marco Longhi also made a speech, thanking campaigners for their support together with contractors Putnam Construction Services for the work carried out.
He also announced his intention to meet with police on Monday.
He said: "I have my own personal relationship with the Crooked House as it was. I know that each and every one of you have your own special memories, that's why it means so much from a personal level.
"But for me, as a representative, I'm also thinking about our heritage.
"The Crooked House was so much more than a pint of beer, wasn't it? It's about our history, it's about what the Black Country did for the rest of the nation during the industrial revolution.
"This is about us, this is about our past, this is about heritage.
"This is why we also need a change in the law. Our whole history got torn away from us in the most appalling way.
"That's what I need to try and prevent happening in the future. Not just in Dudley, the Black Country but the rest of the country."
Paul Turner, admin of the Save the Crooked House (Let's get it re-built) Facebook page, helped to place the padlock on the storage container and will be keeping a tight hold on the key.
He said: "We were worried about what would happen to the bricks two weeks ago. We are confident they will stay here until something positive happens.
"There's been a good turnout. The community spirit has grown stronger over the last few weeks."
Ian Sandall, who is also a member of the pressure group, said locking the bricks away was "almost like the end of the first stage of rescue".
He added: "The ultimate aim is to get The Crooked House rebuilt."
After the ceremony, performers Hayley Johns and Black Country Gaz provided entertainment by singing.
Black Country Gaz – aka Garry Sawers – said he was happy to show his support for the campaign.
He said: "I have been to the Crooked House many times.
"It's heritage and it's unique. Why lose these things?"
Campaigner Emma Smith, 44, of Kingswinford, has been creating handmade t-shirts against the pub's destruction bearing the slogan '#Risefromtheashes' and 'Save the Crooked House pub'.
She said: "They have been very popular. I've posted out over 300 to people all over the country, Ireland, Florida and Switzerland. I just wanted to get the word out.
"I have been to the Crooked House a lot of times and I've been down here every single day after what happened.
"We want the pub to be rebuilt here."
The Crooked House burned down on August 5 and was totally demolished without permission two days later, with Staffordshire Police treating the fire as arson.
The police force's investigations continue, while South Staffordshire Council is carrying out its own probe.
The historic pub was sold by owners Marston’s to a private buyer just days before the fire.
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