A sale of 18 unique horse drawn carriages is to be held at Beech Park Auctions on Sunday June 14th at 1pm.

The Tavistock Wagonette Omnibus

Built in 1896 by Budge & Co. just outside of Tavistock, Devon, the wagonnette commenced its service with John Backwell of the Cornish Arms, Tavistock as a private hire bus, offering excursions from the South Western railway station (Tavistock) to Two Bridges, Princetown, Burrator & Lydford Gorge.  One such private engagement was to Devonport, Plymouth to see Buffalo Bill in the Barnham & Bailey Circus world tour.

Its more sinister role was the transportation from the train station of prisoners to Dartmoor Prison. Some unlucky inmates being unfortunate enough, as recalled by the driver, to have travelled there in it on more than one repeat offending occasion!

In 1930, it was taken out of service after being replaced, as many were, with motor transport. Its final outing with its long term whip Bill Hawken (commercial coachman to Mr Backwell’s grandfather, owner of the Bedford Gardens). The final trip was organised by Ginger Maddock, a local butcher, taking staff and friends on a 34 mile trip at 5/- per head. This picture shows the vehicle in wagonette form, very passenger laden (which says a lot for its undercarriage & pulling gear!) and put to a team of four, with brakeman Sam Dodd in the foreground. Upon its return it went into storage in the coach house of the Bedford Hotel, Tavistock.

The Tavistock Wagonette – Built in 1896

Roy’s Bread Van

The original Bread Van from George Cadbury’s created village of Bournville near Birmingham.

Beech Park Auction Room is in South Hill Road, close to the Fire station, arrive early to park off road and have a look around the vast array of sale items. Preview from 11am and register to receive a bidding card and remember don’t pull your ear or thumb your nose whilst the auctioneer is taking offers.

For more info www.beechparkauctions.com

Antique, Collectables, General Household Sale Thursday June 4th & 18th 10am start.