End of road for coal delivery by horse

Bridlington, 26th September 1984

A carthorse called Royal makes its last round delivering coal tomorrow and marks the end of a 100 year old business.

Mr. Stephen Nicholls, 49, of Mill Hill, Bridlington, whose family has been delivering fuel by horse and cart since 1870, has sold the business to a Rotherham firm, Ian Randall, which will deliver by lorry.

Royal ended up having a remarkable career change.

The ten year old gelding ended up as a wedding carriage horse ferrying brides to church in style, as well as on time.

Mr. Nicholls ommented.

"He seems to prefer confetti to coal dust". — Bridlington, 26th September 1984 A carthorse called Royal makes its last round delivering coal tomorrow and marks the end of a 100 year old business. Mr. Stephen Nicholls, 49, of Mill Hill, Bridlington, whose family has been delivering fuel by horse and cart since 1870, has sold the business to a Rotherham firm, Ian Randall, which will deliver by lorry. Royal ended up having a remarkable career change. The ten year old gelding ended up as a wedding carriage horse ferrying brides to church in style, as well as on time. Mr. Nicholls ommented. "He seems to prefer confetti to coal dust".

Bridlington, September 26, 1984: A carthorse called Royal was due to make its last round delivering coal on September 27, bringing to an end a 100 year old business.

Stephen Nicholls, 49, of Mill Hill, Bridlington, whose family has been delivering fuel by horse and cart since 1870, has sold the business to a Rotherham-based firm, Ian Randall, which said it would deliver the black stuff by lorry instead.

Royal ended up having a remarkable career change, as a result of the sale of the business. The ten year old gelding ended up as a wedding carriage horse ferrying brides to church in style, as well as on time.

Mr Nicholls humorously commented: “He seems to prefer confetti to the coal dust.”