Last of the old faithfuls plod up for auction
Manchester Evening News
NINE carthorses, Manchester’s biggest remaining string, did their last jobs today - towing wagons to land alongside their stables for their own auction. Horses, wagons and harnesses were all due to go under the hammer at the last sale of its kind ever likely in the city. The carters who looked after them have been given notice. And no-one knew whether the nine old-faithfuls would end up tonight in honourable retirement - or in the Knacker's yard.
Inquiries about the sale have been made by horse-flesh dealers and animal welfare societies. The horses belong to T. Huskinson and Sons, the Manchester firm of carriers. The stables at Ardwick are in a clearance area and the firm is being mechanised.
Cash Bid
Mr Arthur Thompson, secretary of the Humane Education Society, said today he believed he had raised enough money to buy all nine horses if the bidding was not forced too high. As well as the sum collected by the Society, an anonymous Manchester businessman has promised £400. Mr Thompson was meeting him shortly before the auction.
Among the eight men who have received redundancy notices is Manchester's oldest carter, 70-year-old Mr Joe Clark of Goldberg Avenue, Chorlton-on-Medlock. "It is the saddest day of my life," he said.
Note:
A later edition of the Evening News told the story of Mr Arthur Thompson's successful bid for all nine horses. Having been saved from slaughter, they were 'retired' to new, caring owners in the area and treated with the respect they so richly deserved.
We would like to thank Mrs MB Everitt of Manchester for the original article. Mrs Everitt is a strong supporter of animal rights and has been a valued member of the Humane Education Society for many years.
Photo: Manchester’s oldest carter, 70-year-old Joe Clark, says goodbye to his workmate horse, Joe, before auction today