'Before turning left into The Gravel, one would have seen yet another blacksmiths, operated by one, a Mr Baker, a huge typical man of that trade. The leather apron that he wore did very little to hide his huge protruding stomach. I remember that hardly any of us lads would go to him for our hoops, he was not a very jovial man at any time, and by virtue of his stature alone, he emanated a kind of fear, that kept most of us well out of his establishment.' Taken from the reminiscences of Vic Lawrence.
Although this is his smithy, shown here is Mr Baker's predecessor, name unknown.
Shown on the left is the Short Bridge. In February 1869 this was described as a small brick bridge with the 'ledge much decayed' thought to be the reason that a woolcomber John Armond fell into the Back Ditch here and was drowned.
Date about 1915?
Ref: 25/07