Clyde says his farewell
Clyde the Clydesdale had one last job with his old friend John Crossland – pulling his coffin on a dray from his home to St Peter’s Church in Hartshead.
Mr Crossland, who died at the age of 73, lived in Hightown, Liversedge. At 15, he started work as a farmhand and learned to plough with heavy horses. He kept animals all his life and when he retired became the regular driver for Clyde, owned by Richard Haigh, of Haigh’s Farm Shop at Mirfield. For some years, Mr Crossland toured the Yorkshire shows using Clyde to operate old farm machinery from Mr Haigh’s collection. He leaves a sister, Ruth Edwards, and two nieces.
The family are raising money for a memorial bell at St Mary’s Church, Mirfield.
PICTURE: JAYNE LAW