Ray Griffiths
master brummie
My dad used to drive one of them for Midland Counties Dairy on Kingstanding Rd then he was promoted to a electric driven milk float
-
Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.
We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team
Birmingham's Working Horses
- Thread starter davidfowler
- Start date
Pedrocut
Master Barmmie
Short article on the “Notes from 19C Birmingham” Blog, entitled The Horses at Holiday Wharf...
birminghamhistoryblog.wordpress.com
The Horses at Holliday Wharf
Holliday Wharf is now the site of smart, modern flats. In the 19th century it had a very different function, serving for many years as the town’s cleansing department. In the first half of th…
birminghamhistoryblog.wordpress.com
JudiM
master brummie
I found the horses names interesting. I had riding lessons most of my childhood & came across many of those names, there doesn't seem to have been much of a change of style.Short article on the “Notes from 19C Birmingham” Blog, entitled The Horses at Holiday Wharf...
The Horses at Holliday Wharf
Holliday Wharf is now the site of smart, modern flats. In the 19th century it had a very different function, serving for many years as the town’s cleansing department. In the first half of th…
jmadone
master brummie
Nothing to do with horses but the link does provide an informative section on proceedings at the Birmingham Police Courts. I particularly enjoyed the the case of the parrot!Short article on the “Notes from 19C Birmingham” Blog, entitled The Horses at Holiday Wharf...
The Horses at Holliday Wharf
Holliday Wharf is now the site of smart, modern flats. In the 19th century it had a very different function, serving for many years as the town’s cleansing department. In the first half of th…
Richard Dye
master brummie
Pedrocut, some great insight in the Holiday Warf article...........Thank you!Short article on the “Notes from 19C Birmingham” Blog, entitled The Horses at Holiday Wharf...
The Horses at Holliday Wharf
Holliday Wharf is now the site of smart, modern flats. In the 19th century it had a very different function, serving for many years as the town’s cleansing department. In the first half of th…
izzy eckerslike
master brummie
My Father told me about the railway horses stabled at Curzon street, he started as a 14 year old boy on parcel delivery around 1933. Some of the horses were massive and some had a very bad temperament and would kick & bite at every opportunity.
He recalled having to sit waiting on the wagon whilst the driver stopped at a cafe on the way down new canal street and at practically every pub on the way back to the yard.
He recalled having to sit waiting on the wagon whilst the driver stopped at a cafe on the way down new canal street and at practically every pub on the way back to the yard.
izzy eckerslike
master brummie
a fascinating old film, did anyone notice those two lady time travelers were wearing Covid masks?
Richard Dye
master brummie
Wonderful video Pedro, and almost no cars!
Thank you.......
lmr3103
master brummie
G G Jean
Brummy Wench.
Thank you Maurice and Lynn. I did post this before the forum was hacked so thought I would attach it again. My granddad is buried in the small churchyard over the road from the Church Tavern with his little daughter Evelyn. Unfortunately over the years it has been covered over when the factories were built at the back. Hope you have snow Maurice over Xmas (only kidding)?. 
Hello
I've just found this thread as I am searching for information about what my Granddad did at Curzon Street Railway Depot - he was working as a Farrier and taxi repairer on the census 1911 when he was aged 15. But Mother remembers him working on a horse and cart for the Curzon Street Railway delivering stuff and that was when they lived in Holloway Head and outside the City.
Are there any sites that I can find him as an employee for LMS? or would they have worked for themselves. I know there were stables at Curzon Street Railway and a pen pit for the cattle that was transported.
I found all the photos on this site for Curzon Street Railway which are fantastic but I am working on my family tree and would be great to find photos and employee listing.
I've just found this thread as I am searching for information about what my Granddad did at Curzon Street Railway Depot - he was working as a Farrier and taxi repairer on the census 1911 when he was aged 15. But Mother remembers him working on a horse and cart for the Curzon Street Railway delivering stuff and that was when they lived in Holloway Head and outside the City.
Are there any sites that I can find him as an employee for LMS? or would they have worked for themselves. I know there were stables at Curzon Street Railway and a pen pit for the cattle that was transported.
I found all the photos on this site for Curzon Street Railway which are fantastic but I am working on my family tree and would be great to find photos and employee listing.
Very useful links Mike. Thanks. Viv
Warwick University Library have a number of railway trade union records.
From "Birmingham New Street 1860-1923" by Richard Foster the stables at Curzon St stabled all the horses for Curzon St and New St, together with the main provender depot for all the horses of the LNW. In 1895 the LNW owned in total 3,800 horses whose feed was supplied from there. (This compared to 2,750 engines). In 1914 Curzon Street itself housed 600 horses. I have got the general impression that outside companies were allowed access to the station, but the majority of the transport was on company carts. Below is a photo (from publication already mentioned} showing company wagons delivering produce to the market at about that time
Last edited:
Thank you for your advice. I will look to see if I can find anything.
Thank you this is a great picture and interesting facts. There is nothing like fleshing out what your relatives did for a living than seeing it with your own eyes. It’s amazing that 3,800 horses were being used.
thanks
Last edited by a moderator:
Johnfromstaffs
Johnfromstaffs
Post #67, can we assume that “Caggy” Stevens was left handed?
HorseCoper
proper brummie kid
The horses are fairly small; and the one on the left is a pony, probably about 14.2 hands (a hand being 4 inches, = 4 ft 10 ins at the top of the shoulder). The size of horse or pony bought would depend on the load to be hauled, and the steepness of the hills on its round. Nowadays, a haulier will buy the smallest vehicle which is up to the job, as the smaller the vehicle, the lower the purchase price and running costs - so with horses. The smaller the horse, or pony, the less it cost to buy and to feed. Bear in mind, too, that supplies being delivered were far lighter than a load of, say, coal - plus another advantage of a fairly light horse for deliveries is that they can move at a brisk trot between customers, so covering their rounds in less time.
Great Francis Street in 1884, I was surprised when I noticed how small these horses were but after another look I decided that the reason for small horses is small carts. I think.
HTH
Jack
G G Jean
Brummy Wench.
Great photo is Stitcher ok?.
Great Francis Street in 1884, I was surprised when I noticed how small these horses were but after another look I decided that the reason for small horses is small carts. I think.
Richard Dye
master brummie
Welcome to the Forum, HorseCoper. Enjoy!