Page 157 - It's a Rum Life Book 3 "Ivy House Tales 1970 to 1984"

CARRIAGES

During our time with British Driving Society, we caught the “bug” of collections and from
time to time sought out a horse drawn vehicle or two that were inexpensive but had good
potential.
Little did we know that during the lean times ahead, some of these carriages could help
provide us with an income. Most of them were to go again in the not too distant future but
we did manage to keep hold of the ones of most value.

The “Victoria” as found in a field about 10 miles away.
Smartened up, this was our principal “Wedding Hire Vehicle”.

This was the first “serious” carriage and we did find it in a field not far from our home. An
antique dealer had bought it among some other goods he had purchased and it had not
been in the field for long.

The “Victoria” we found out was a design made popular by Queen Victoria as it allowed
ladies wearing wide crinoline skirts to mount and dismount with ease and with little chance
of getting their skirts dirty.
Further investigation proved to show that this vehicle had begun its life in Austria. It still
retained its original iron shod wheels and the wide sweeping mudguards were typical
“Victoria”. We thought this vehicle worthy of restoration and duly sent it to Keighley
Boatyard in Boston.
Readers of Book two will remember it was here that “Peregrine” our wooden built sailing
cutter had been built. Boat building and Carriage building are a similar art, they both
require skill in woodworking and the Keightley family were second to none.

157