A 73-year-old pensioner from the Midlands has found unexpected success with a controversial new calendar that features the world's most notorious serial killers, including Ted Bundy and the Yorkshire Ripper.
From Pub Chat to Publishing Success
Kevin Beresford, from Redditch in Worcestershire, is no stranger to quirky calendars, having previously produced editions on subjects like roundabouts, allotments, and car park designs. The idea for his latest macabre offering, however, came from an unlikely source during a visit to his local pub.
"One of the barmaids at my local pub, The Black Tap, said 'you should do a serial killer calendar'," Kevin explained. His initial reaction was one of disbelief. "I said 'I can't see anybody buying that' but lo and behold, it's turned into a best seller."
A Macabre Line-Up for Every Month
Produced over the summer with his 50-year-old son Scott, the calendar dedicates each month to a different infamous murderer. The chilling roster includes:
- January: Ted Bundy
- February: Peter Sutcliffe (The Yorkshire Ripper)
- March: David Berkowitz
- April: Harold Shipman
- May: Nannie Doss
- June: Richard Ramirez
- July: John Wayne Gacy
- August: Reginald Christie
- September: Jeffrey Dahmer
- October: Aileen Wuornos
- November: The eight Zodiac killer suspects
- December: Jack The Ripper
The retired printer, who also founded the Roundabout Appreciation Society, was genuinely surprised by the calendar's popularity, particularly when sales surged at the end of October. "It's selling on places like Amazon, which was surprising," he admitted. "It surprised me because I thought 'who would want to put serial killers on their wall?'"
Understanding the Public's Dark Fascination
While Kevin describes the calendar's success as a "headscratcher," he has a theory about its appeal. He believes it taps into a deep-seated public fascination with the macabre and the psychology of evil.
"We're all fascinated and horrified by serial killers. We've always been," Kevin reflected. "They're almost heroes, like Hannibal Lecter. We almost like them. We are drawn to them. It's a strange one. We like the macabre. Horror films are a good example of it."
Despite the contentious subject matter, Kevin reports that he has received no hate mail or formal objections. He views most of his calendars, including this one, as novelty "wind-up gifts" meant for a dark laugh. "A lot of people say 'I'll send that to my mate, he's always on about roadworks' and it gives them a laugh," he said.
The serial killer calendar is currently available for purchase on Amazon, eBay, and Kevin's personal website for £12.99. It follows other unexpectedly popular editions from Kevin, including a calendar documenting the 2023 bin strikes in Birmingham.
