An April Fools' Day Prank: The Day Currywell Replaced Crudwell

In a lighthearted April Fools' Day prank, the peaceful Cotswolds village of Crudwell briefly adopted a new name, becoming ‘Currywell’ until noon. The elaborate jape involved the installation of new road signs, creating a comical twist for the village near the Wiltshire border with Gloucestershire.

The original name of Crudwell derives from either the stream flowing through the village or a mineral spring southeast of the church. However, as part of the April Fools' Day prank, villagers were playfully informed of supposed suggestions to officially rename the village to ‘Currywell’.

As a part of the playful hoax, villagers were mischievously quoted a ‘Currywell’ resident of over 30 years, Keith Hodgson, who humorously suggested that the name change reflected “the modern dietary attitude” of the village. This village, once a part of a 13th-century farmstead of Malmesbury’s Brokenborough estate, seemed to now embrace a culinary identity.

According to the pranksters, the renamed village was even said to have welcomed its first Indian-inspired restaurant, located within Pettifers Freehouse Hotel at the heart of ‘Currywell’. The attention brought by the prank also highlighted Sasa’s Indian Bar and Kitchen, which opened in Pettifers in August 2024 and has notably become a beloved establishment in the “temporary” ‘Currywell’.

Foyez Rahman, the owner of Sasa’s Indian Bar and Kitchen, expressed contentment with the playful name change, acknowledging its potential significance for the fusion of culinary traditions his restaurant represents. He mused, “I am not sure if it is all about us, but we are happy to accept this,” suggesting a hint of pride in the village’s momentary homage to their culinary endeavors.

As a lighthearted stunt and publicity opportunity, the prank succeeded in bringing a dose of joviality and attention to the village of Crudwell, now remembered as ‘Currywell’ for a playful few hours.