The glass Corona bottle was unique with its flip top and four bottles filled each wooden crate. However, I’m not here to talk about the drinks, but the bond between the drayman named Fred (whom I knew well) and Corona’s beautiful Shire horse named Frank, whose stabling was between Pender Plating and Edith Lyle Hall.

As a boy in the late 1930’s, on Saturdays I had the good fortune to travel with Fred and Frank on deliveries, when Fred and I would have some fun and laughs. But one particular Saturday morning he was strangely quiet. Later he explained why.

The depot was to be relocated and mechanised, which meant the loss of his job and beloved horse.

Well, I thought, no more fun on the horse and cart, I would miss it. The time came to do the final delivery with him and to my surprise he seemed rather buoyant. How strange…. Then he proceeded to tell me the good news. All we folk in Old Poole and Hamworthy knew of ‘Walter Curtis’ who owned a horse-drawn haulage business and covered land in the Turlin Moor/Sandy Lane area. When Fred heard that Walter Curtis had purchased Frank at an auction, he decided to approach Mr Curtis for a drayman’s job. To his delight he was accepted.

Once again Fred and Frank were re-united, but their new work was very different. The Corona transport was the Rolls Royce of wagons, with red paintwork and pneumatic tyres, but the draycarts and wagons that Fred and Frank were now familiar with were basic and sported green rimmed wooden wheels.

The pair now transported timber for Sydenham’s, pebble stone for Carters, sacks of grain for Bradford’s and did various other tasks. I was so pleased to be able to travel with them again.

Sitting below Fred, him at the reins, Frank would swish his tail, badly stinging my legs – uncovered in those ‘short trousers’ days!

When the rain started, my retreat was to sit under the wagon on the rear axle housing, but I needed to be alert and lift my feet well up if the horse did a poo!

Fred once allowed me to back Frank into the shafts at the Carter site. This massive shire stood on my foot. I was in agony and my left big toe has suffered ever since!

“Frank, let’s go home,” were always Fred’s words at the end of a hard day’s work.

The horse would break into a lovely trot along Blandford Road, Hamworthy, turning into his field by a row of Almshouses, now called Old Rope Walk opposite Riglar Road.

After removing his harness, Fred would throw me up onto Frank’s back, give him a whack and the horse would go galloping off with me hanging onto his mane – the highlight of my day!

Although I‘ve not been on a horse again since those days!

“It must have been a very high tide last night”

This cartoon was published in CT Poole July 2008
at the height of the volleyball craze on the beach

I was asked to work overtime one evening to finish a project. I didn’t mind, but by the time I left work for home it was dark and miserable with rain. Even though I had no lights I decided to cycle home to Harbour Road, on the Hamworthy side of the bridge from Number 2 yard at West Quay Road, it wasn’t far. As I rode someone came right across my path also on a bike but this one had lights glowing. It was a policeman lads like me knew well, PC Frazier.

Standing in the rain he took down all the particulars of the offence. Then, when he was gone I cycled the rest of the way home! Eventually I received a summons to the court but before I went, the chief draughtsman at Bolson’s, Mr Wilson, called me into his office. I was worried that I might be in even more trouble but Mr Wilson offered some advice for the hearing. He told me to say that I was working on a very important job, earning dollars for our country to pay back the war debt we owed to America. He reckoned that the magistrates would be impressed and let me off “Scott-free”.

Well it didn’t work out like that. In court I stood in the dock not saying a word while PC Frazier read out the evidence (I think he became a Sergeant soon after that). There were three magistrates on the bench, the main one being Miss Lewellin, who asked why I had decided to ride my bike without lights. I replied that it had been raining at the time so I took a chance. The magistrates had a pow-wow and reached a decision. Miss Lewellin delivered the verdict “You took a chance and you got caught, I fine you ten shillings for no front light and ten shilling for no rear light”. That was harsh seeing as my wages were only nineteen shillings and four pence a week, but I was ready for it and paid up there and then.

Back at work I was sent for by Mr Wilson. “Right Scott” he said “Tell me all about it, did you tell them what I told you to say?” “No sir” I replied, I was a bit scared. Then he gave me a lecture on how to fight my corner and not give in too easily. “Always make your point and talk with authority” he said. How on earth he expected a fifteen year old to talk with confidence over magistrates I don’t know but he grinned and sent me back to work. In those days if you were an apprentice to a good man he would not only be concerned how you made progress at work, but also about your welfare at home.

At the end of the week Mr Wilson called me into his office again and said “Now look Scott remember what I said and you’ll be a stronger person for it” then he opened his wallet and gave me a one pound note. “Buy some lights for bike; I might need you to work overtime again”.

What do you think about the new mud flats?

This cartoon featured in CT Poole June 2008 when new flats were to be built on the mud near Baiter park

Young people with disabilities and additional needs are invited to join a colourful circus party on April 16 where they can learn new circus skills such as spinning plates, walking a wooden tightrope and balloon modelling.

A variety of activities including street dance and golf are available on the Short Breaks and Activity Programme throughout the Easter holidays and run until Friday 17 April.
The activities on the programme, which was a huge success during February half term, are suitable for children from seven to 19 years old and cost £3 per child with a £1 discount for Access to Leisure cardholders.

To book a session or for more information about the Short Breaks and Activity Programme please call  01202 714616 

Easter half term sees another two Fundays being held in Poole, offering a variety of sporting, play and environmental activities free of charge for the whole community.

The first Funday takes place Thursday 9 April at Bourne Valley Youth Centre between 1pm to 4pm. Children and young people will be able to enjoy activities including drumming sessions, 5-a-side football, a climbing wall and bouncy castle.

On Friday 17 April, a family Funday will be held at Parkstone Sports and Arts Club, Branksome Recreation Ground, between 11am to 3pm. Circus skills, den building, samba drumming, an assault course and bug hunting are just some of the activities on offer.

All community Fundays are free of charge, open to everyone and offer a great opportunity to meet new people in the community.

Further Fundays and activities from the Short Breaks and Activity Programme will be held during May half term.