At Gradbach in the Staffordshire Moorlands, U.K., there is a legend that once appeared in print in a book called " Legends of the Moorlands", and is as follows : one day a flash peddler whose name was Ward of the Brook was making his way home close to Ludchurch when it started getting dark, he decided to call in at a lonely pub by the roadside (probably the Ship Inn at Wincle). While he was in the pub having a drink a young child runs up to him and saying "what fat hands you have! what nice pies they will make". Naturally upon hearing this the peddler decides to drink up and be on his way, as he had heard of strange goings on in this area. Making an excuse he quickly leaves and makes his way through the Backforest until he reaches the Black brook, which he follows down to Casters bridge, where the brook joins the river Dane.
Casters bridge, originally it would have been built of stone with castle like turrets either end, unfortunately this was destroyed during flooding when a tree was washed down the brook. Photo by Gary Tacagni.
By the time the peddler reaches Casters brook he can hear the shouts of men and also the sounds of hounds in pursuit of him, he then wades into the water and hides under Casters bridge, and even though the men and dogs are mere yards away from him his scent trail is masked by the water, where he remains hidden until they pass him by in their futile search. When he escapes the peddler alerts the authorities to what has occurred and shortly afterwards the occupants of a house close to the river Dane on the outskirts of the Backforest are arrested and executed on several charges of murder. Afterwards the house is demolished, but if you look hard you can still find evidence of where the house used to stand as there are still remains of its foundations.
The foundations of the cannibals house. Photo by Gary Tacagni.
Another view of whats left of the cannibals house. Photo by Gary Tacagni.
