A REDDITCH pub enthusiast has produced a bizarre 2017 calendar – dedicated solely to derelict pubs in the town and surrounding area.
Kevin Beresford’s unusual calendar features photographs of his 12 favourite boozers that have shut their doors in the last decade and the ‘Perished Pubs of Redditch’ project showcases the boarded-up watering holes alongside bitter captions documenting their downfall.
Kevin, who also founded the Roundabout Appreciation Society, photographs traffic islands, telephone boxes and prisons too, capturing slices of life that people don’t normally bother with.
The project took about a month to complete and Kevin’s inspiration came from looking at the changing society and landscape around him.
He said: “You could put it down to the high tax on beer, the smoking ban or cheaper alcohol in supermarkets – but whatever the cause, these pubs and the British pub culture is unlikely to return in quite the same way and I think that’s a pretty sad thought.
“There are some great pubs still in Redditch – and businesses like the Black Tap are real examples of success stories – but there are many stories of failure too.
“I don’t wish to dwell on these, but they are a fact of life in the town and I think keeping a record for posterity is a good thing.”
Kevin’s favourite local in Redditch is the Oddfellows in Astwood Bank, although he admits it is not quite as easy to roll home after a swift pint or two as it was before the White Lion closed.
“I hope people might take some pleasure in remembering these old pubs and that it might stir up some bittersweet nostalgia,” he added.
The calendar costs £10 and is available on Amazon or at www.roundaboutsofbritain.com/ to find out more and to purchase Kevin’s wares.
