Interview with Alfie Crellin about horses and the horse-drawn coaches from Ramsey to Douglas
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Date(s): 1950-1970
Creator(s): Manx Museum
Scope & Content: Alfie Crellin talks about the last horse-drawn coach from Ramsey to Douglas in 1926. He talks about Walter, the regular driver, thrown off a horse leaving him as a boy to drive; horse dying of colic near Glen Mona; coaches leaving Ramsey at 10am and the route with stopping points from Audlyn Road, Ramsey to Douglas via Laxey and Onchan and the Promenade to the Coffee Palace; time the journey took and the fares; number of people and horses; children putting slippers on the wheels when there was snow and ice; his dad, Bob, as the driver and his grandfather; number of horses and how to stop horses from kicking.
He mentions other coaches going from Ramsey to Peel; the Coffee Palace, near McDowell's stables; 'Black Jack' (nickname as he never washed) meeting the coach; how coaches were made and the tradesmen who worked on them; characters he knew and famous Manx horses; bullocks pulling carts; bullock shoes; prices for a light horse and heavy horse; story about man refusing to sell a horse during the First World War; horses loading and unloading boats; livery stables including Dawsons, Surridges and Atkinsons; harness makers; betting on horse races and trap races on Ramsey shore; basket panniers to carry loads on horse; going to the mountain to cut rushes for thatch; horse traffic in the main street; Harry Stagg the coalman getting his cart stuck; breeding horses in the Isle of Man and Ireland; famous stallions; his first horse called King.
Administration / Biographical History: This recording was made for the Manx Folk Life Survey.
Language: English
Extent: 22 min. 50 sec.
Item name: magnetic tape
Collection: Sound Archive
Level: ITEM
ID number: SA 0066
Access conditions: All reasonable attempt has been made by Manx National Heritage to trace and request permission (where needed) from the copyright holder(s) in this sound recording. If however you think you are a rights holder then please contact Manx National Heritage.
Subject tags : #UOSH, #UOSHManxFolkLifeSurvey