European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 10, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                By Amy Geiszler Jones . Bureau the crooked House where the crooked Man of Mother Goose lame lived actually does exist. It s in Lavenham a a place that is considered one of the finest examples of a medieval Village in All of England. The crooked houses half timbered Oft entered facade is characteristic of Many of the buildings that line the streets of Lavenham. Rows and rows of the half timbered houses Many in the characteristic link color of Suffolk county lean sideways and outward. Lavenham like nearby Long Mel lord is know n As a Venham Adlong Melfort monuments to the Days when Wool was Kings amps photos by Dave Didio Wool Tow n Bei arise of the ome pro Pei Ous Wool Trade that i nuanced the i on strut Tion of the enormous i Hurt Hes anti other Lant Maiks that Grace the two towns in Eastern England. In the Early to Mitl-1 500s. I a Enham was Rankl d As the 1 4th-richest town in England. But As the Wool Industry declined the town lost much of its wealth. Some of its half timbered buildings were remo de trom the town in the Early 1000s when it was fashionable to dismantle the structures and Moe them onto estates of the wealthy. Some of the other buildings that i main Are for Sale Ini luding the crooked i Louse w he h now houses a souvenir a shirt and confectionary store and can be had for .100,000 pounds about s  the Tow n of 1,700 people now depends on tourism for much of its income. Visitors wander the streets looking at the old buildings browsing in the Small i rails shops and seeking out the Swan i Lotel Tor Tea. The Swan hotel is considered one of the Quot in Quot  is in All of England to enjoy the Fine tradition of Tea time. It s not known exactly when the hotel iame into being although it owes its existence to the wealth of the Wool Era. It grew out of a group of House s and the Wool i tall a former Guild Hall. In the 1800s, it included a stable with stalls for 50 horses. The Terra Cotta floor bricks in the old bar were once used As ballast on Wool ships. Tea is served daily Between 3 . And 5 a . At Little clusters of tables scattered around the hotel. The repast is More than something to drink. It offers a Choice of a i Ream Tea costing 4.50 pounds about $8or a traditional English Tea at 7.5 3 pounds about $13.50. Cream Tea comes with homemade scones hot buttered Toast and Tea. Smoked Salmon and Cucumber sandwiches an egg and watercress Roll and cake Are the added Perks of traditional English Tea. Those after something a Little less refined can head for the old bar a popular place for american world War ii veterans and others to reminisce about the past. Customers can Swap War stories As they sit surrounded by medals patches and other Memorabilia from the last world War. Many of the artefacts were donated by members of the former . Army air Force. The old bar was a favorite hangout Tor americans continued on a a it 4 in totter Ita strip s m