Craven the Donkey

I just found, in my overflowing personal archive, an Evening Telegraph cutting in which Jack Coils mentions the finding, by Steven Walters, of 'the gravestone of Craven the donkey on Coundon Wedge'. Any further information?

Hello Tom and welcome to our history site, I love the area around Coundon Wedge, as my posts proclaim, but his one has me foxed. I do hope that someone has some info. Best wishes

Hi Tom, and welcome to our forum The headstone was erected to mark the grave of a pet donkey, belonging to the children of a local farmer. The inscription reads: 'CRAVEN' Nov. 8th 1899 33 years Although the children must have dearly missed Craven, the other residents must have felt some relief, as the donkey's braying had consistently kept half the village awake at night!

Hello again, I like your welcome sign, Tony. I want one! Thank you, Tony.

I was under the impression it was in the fields leading from The Windmill Hill. You live and learn!

Many thanks folks for clearing up the mystery! On carrying out a little family history I learned that my great-great-grandfather, born either 1812 or 1816 depending on which record I consult, was at various times a station-master, clerk, bailiff in charge of a farm and a school-master. The latter occupation had his wife, my great etc., as a school mistress in the 1871 census. Does anyone know of a book or archive concerned with education in the city at that time?