Mooo-ving through time (From Burnham & Highbridge Weekly News)

Mooo-ving through time

9:10am Thursday 9th July 2009

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TODAY the Weekly Memories is chewing the cud over some classic snapshots of the old Highbridge cattle market from many years ago.

Our good friends at the Highbridge History Project have provided us with these pictures of the old market which some of our readers may recall.

Traders and buyers used to meet every first and third Monday of the month after the cattle market was established in 1851, according to 'Highbridge - a Somerset Market Town and its People'.

Twice the market was expanded and it saw its busiest period up to 2001 before the outbreak of the foot and mouth disease.

Anywhere between 200 and 400 cattle and 2,000 sheep would pass through every week.

But that was just a tiny extract of the massive history and tradition of the Highbridge Cattle Market - and we want to hear your memories, so why not get in touch?

Highbridge-born Isobel Bailey now lives in Kent but she got in touch after reading our May 20 edition featuring post office staff in Edwardian dress.

Isobel says she has a copy of this photo given to her by her father and the lady in the middle is none other than her great-grandmother, Emily Channon nee Came.

The lady second from left is named as her great aunt Lillian and the tall postman at the back is another relative, Richard 'Dickie' Channon.

On the back of Isobel's photo are written some other names including, George Puddy, Mr Hicks, Mr Amesbury, and Mr Napkin.

Isobel said she would love to hear from anyone who has any more information on this photo so get in touch with us and we will pass the information on.

Get in touch by e-mailing newsdesk@burnhamnews.co.uk, visit our website burnhamandhighbridgeweeklynews.co.uk/contactus, or write to Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News, Royal Clarence House, York Buildings, High Street, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3AT.

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