The Great Western Station Yard must have been one of the busiest places in our district. Here was a huge Good Depot which supplied the shops and businesses for miles around. There was also, in this small area, Maddock's Great Western Nail Works. Through this ran a railway line not only serving this particular works with materials but crossed the main road, just below the junction of Cannongate and Station Road to serve the Millington Timber Yard and Saw Mill, also the Co-op Bakehouse. There was also another small wharf, it was just inside the main gate coming from Station Road. This was for the use of the nearby foundry, it was also used by the Bonemill for depositing cart loads of bones, sometimes boiled horseflesh. Opposite this wharf was the horses stables (there today). Looking back over the years, what a lovely sight is recalled. Those magnificent work horses looking full of life, vigour and resplendent with their brass ornaments giving bright relief to their leather harness and chains, to think that upon such animals as these depended the commerce of the day. It was rumoured at the start of the 1914 war that it wouldn't last long because the Germans were short of horses. Be that as it may, there seemed plenty about here.

Only in the minds eye of a dwindling group of people does a picture of that industry still remain. What a wonder we have lived through, how many have noticed it? How did the roads compete with the traffic? Many wagons and drays came from both GWR and LMS Stations. The very large assortment of vehicles from the Co-op John Maddock had their own orses and carts, also other business men. There were many private coal dealers delivering household coal all over the district. At least two private coal merchants have told me stories of how the horses would bring their carts back to their stables even if the driver had had a drop to much and fallen asleep. One merchant said "If so and so was not at the stables by a certain hour I didn't worry, for I knew, naming the horse, they would come home, some time". Sure enough the clip clop of hooves could be heard, no urging from the driver just the sound of contented snoring.

In addition to the vehicles mentioned here are the names of others which added to the traffic congestion and could be hired from the Royal Exchange Hotel and Posting House, Henry Slaney (Proprietor). Flys, Cabs, Broughams, Dog Carts, Waggonettes, Brakes. We kids could find no pleasure in trying to guide our bowlers or whip our Tops amongst this lot. Picadilly Circus was no place for us.

Amid the noise and bustle of every day, many people went about their business on foot, such as Insurance men, rent collectors, postmen and policemen on their beat. There was a few who had the luxury of a bicyle. One person, who had a red bike and wore a "Pill Box Hat" on his head, was the telegram boy, how he was envied by many of we boys, flitting about like a shadow, no time to stop - one purpose to deliver the telegram and get back to the post office to see if any others would be waiting for delivery. One very important factor seemed to characterise the age of which I write, it was a kind of intimacy, for instance, although there was several part time postmen about, they were well known in the neighbourhood. Ambrose Talbot, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Moore, they and others were household names. Bobby Stinton was the law, also Sgt Birchall, that was enough, while certain Insurance Agents were welcomed afar off for an Ernest Moore carried something more than books in his gladstone bag. It was sweets (Cachous). What a delight, even to get your fingers smacked for trying to pinch some. To go to some of the small shops, taking with you a little note book, in order to have a few groceries on "Trust" seemed to breath an air of all togetherness, especially when you went to pay for the bill on Saturday even if you did leave "that little bit" until next week, "because me dad's got an extra shift in".

Living near Snedshill Forge meant just that, sometimes my father has been called out as late as 11.30 p.m. to go to work in the Guide Mill or some other department because so and so hasn't turned up, no matter how tired you may be you had to go. Your job could depend upon it.

The first vehicle seen at John Maddock other than the familiar cart was a Sentinal Steam Wagon made by the Sentinal Firm at Shrewsbury. This roused terrific interest for Maddocks made castings for that company. We employees were all eyes, trying to see if any of our castings could be identified.

For quite a few years, at least 1919 to the early twenties, men who worked in the large moulding shop on the Canongate side of John Maddock had to fetch their molten iron from thp cupola situated on the GER side. This molten iron was carried in the ladies across the Station Road. Sometimes two men to a ladle. This was an extra hazard to this already busy road.

What is today the sandmill of the foundry in Station Road (J. Maddock) was once the site of a small button factory Here many varied sizes and shapes of buttons were made for the Rock Clothing Company of Oakengates. Mr. Eaton was the Manager of this concern.

Copyright:  Estate of  Moses Evans