People in a Merseyside borough have shared their fondest memories of a pub that has been victim to a suspected arson attack.
A fire that broke out in a formerly popular St Helens pub yesterday has left people saddened and encouraged many to reflect on the rich history of the town centre venue.
Crews from six fire engines tackled the blaze at the Raven Lodge on Church Street throughout the afternoon of Tuesday, October 19 - eventually extinguishing the fire after three hours.
Read More: Six fire engines tackle blaze at former pub as police cordon off road
Share your memories of Raven Lodge in the comments below
The Raven Lodge sits within the George Street Conservation Area of St Helens which is the oldest part of the borough's town centre.
The building dates back three centuries and forms one of the many sites that played a role in the zone being declared a Conservation area - these exist to protect the special architectural and historic interest of a place.
In that time it has accumulated a novels worth of tales.
It has been host to first dates, first meetings, first gigs and first meals after marriage.
In recent years plans of transforming the building into houses and apartments have come and gone but the building has remained derelict for a number of years now.
The last note of use was in 2017 when locals celebrated the reopening of the pub, however this was short lived and its doors quickly closed once again and have remained that way ever since.
Today members of the public shared their most valued memories of the pub - some told the story of meeting their loved ones there and others who celebrated weddings and anniversaries.
It is fair to assume that the Raven Lodge will have a special place in the hearts of many who have celebrated their love in this venue.
Richard Orrick said he met his wife at the Raven Lodge around 20 years ago back when it was a 'thriving rock pub' with the "best jukebox in town" following its "biker bar" era.
This was also Geoffrey Dixon's fondest memory who met his wife there in 1972 and Donna Knowles who said she met her "hubby" there in 1981.
Jacqueline Fishwick told the ECHO: "Had our wedding reception there in 1978 and I remember in the early 80's they used to make the most amazing pizzas.
"We used to order and when our pub closed at 11pm - strict opening and closing times back then - we used to go and pick it up."
Jacqueline was just one of the many who celebrated her big day at the Raven Lodge along with Joe Cunliffe who said his wedding reception in 1960 at the venue was "very nice" and Gill Thompson who had her wedding reception at the "lovely pub" in 1965.
Others shared funny anecdotes claiming they could always have a "good laugh" at the St Helens pub.
Sandra Chisnall said: "I recall in the early seventies a chap slipped and fell from the top of the stairs to the bottom whilst holding a full pint.
"He never split a drop.
"He got a tremendous round of applause from everyone who saw it happen.
"Some funny nights spent there in my youth!"
Ben Rimmer, who worked at the Raven Lodge back when he was 18/19, said that he has "proper good memories from that time of his life".
He said: "The metal nights they had was always a laugh with a fella called Sid running them I think."
While for others it transported them back to their "wild" youths.
Iain Maddox said his favourite memory of the Raven Lodge was the watching the early 90s live bands.
He added: "I can't remember what night of the week it was but to be fair most of the early 90s was a bit of a blur."
Sharon Roberts reminisced on her "denim leather and lots of bad hair" days when she used to be a regular at the Raven Lodge when it was a rockers pub in the 80s'.
This was also echoed by Jane Adair Melling who recalled her 80s memories of the Raven Lodge.
She said: "We use go there every Thursday night for rock n roll nights in the early 80s - great memories."
However some people were more of a fan of its former jazz nights.
Sandra Knowles said: "Monday nights in 1981 when we were courting was amazing.
"There was always the Fire Brigade's Jazz Band playing.
"They always did Aker Bilks 'Stranger on the Shore', even now if I hear it I am transported back.
"Happy memories.."
If there was one element of the Raven Lodge that all customers shared a mutual love for it was being the homeland to great music - which rang particularly true for Jasmine Heaton who had her band practise from the venue.
She said: "I learned how to play pool in there when I was about 15 (ten years ago), and when I was 17 we had our band practice upstairs in there every week.
"We held a gig night in memory of a boy in my year who sadly passed away."
Emma Louise Roberts also shares a musical history with the Raven Lodge as she was brought to the Raven Lodge after meeting her now-husband who's band used to play at the venue once a month.
She said: "Don't get me wrong it was as rough as they come but it had a great atmosphere and we always had a great night."
Investigations into the cause of the fire are now underway with police confirming the incident is being treated as a suspected arson attack.
