Features

Dave Phillips
Why do we have to get rid of all the old ways. "Progress" isn't always a good thing and all to often we change things only to regret it later.

tom
why are we so quick to get rid of tradition only to find that a couple of years down the road we wish we had`nt.Think first for a change.

Terry Basson
God may not forgive you Adnams.I am just back from Devises and saw the four great Shire horses still delivering in a radius of two miles daily.Devises is a busy town so what's this about danger.

CALLEN [The Voice]
What a great shame these beautiful horses will no longer be around to admire. They go so well with the traditional image of olde suffolk and give so much pleasure to so many. I cant think of anywhere else where horses are employed like this? surely the local powers that be can club together to retain these horses and find a use for them even if its only a tourish attraction? why not horse/carrage ride around the village that could pay for itself and become popular. CALLEN [The Voice]

Carla
As an American, I lived in the U.K. for 3 years in the mid3 80's. I looked forward to returning with my grown children and taking them to Southwold. We visited there many times in the past. I'm sad to see this tradition discontinued.

Es
Such a shame as I find seeing these beautiful, gentle animals calms me after dodging many a car, lorry etc on the busy roads of London. And they wonder why modern living causes greater levels of depression - you can't intereact with a car as you can with a patient animal!Visiting family in Southwold just won't be the same for me; it was what makes it special for me.

janet Schwartz
When people moan about how dangerous horse drawn vehicles are on our roads it makes me laugh. The environmental impact of peoples cars are more dangerous .

Melody
I confess I am not familiar with Southwold. But I am a long-distance carriage driver, of a single horse drawn 2-wheeler. I drive absolutely everywhere.. Covering some 30 odd miles a day. From Country lanes and by-ways, too-dual carriageways, major A roads. And have done so for three years now. In that time covering some 3,000 miles. Horses get used to traffic and waiting until the work is complete at any one stop. And people love to see such a sight. It is a very good way of being able to expose people to horses and the great benefits from them. It is a pity to stop such a siginficant thing in that particular area.

MikeMcG
I agree it is sad (& only a month or so after London's Young's brewery, home to other horse-drawn drays, announced its closure & merger with a Bedford brewery). But I think it's at least debatable as to whether it's "a cynical cost-cutting issue", as Adnam's have moved its distribution depot to 2.5 miles out of town, which (they say) makes horse-drawn deliveries unfeasible, as the road that they would need to go along is very busy. (their spokesman says it might cost more!)

catherine spode
The horses could be kept by Southwold. Working with horses is first class for young people. A group could apply for lottery money to build a team of horses to parade and take part in events.

Steve D.
A sad day BUT you do have to think of the health & safety of the horse & the driver.

Keith Sinden
My wife recalls the excitement of the first time she saw the drey delivering in the town, it is such a shame that an attraction such as this is to be lost. Where there is a will there is a way. Adnams beware, don't start to lose your uniqueness.

Jennifer
This is a cynical cost cutting exercise, Getting rid of the horses means someone can be made redundant, The pleasurre they bring to the community seems to mean nothing to Adnams.

SteveC
I can't beieve the possibility of seeing beer delivered by horse has attracted a single tourist to Southwold. I can believe quite easily that its continued use could lead to an accident or a death. Nostalgia drools OK.

Steven Miles
It is very sad to that yet another tradition is ending. I am sure that it is not beyond the wit of man to retain there services if only to attract the additional tourists to Southwold and its environs.

Gareth
I can't believe that it isn't worth it to Adnams to keep the drey horse deliveries going just for the good PR. Its part of the charm of Adnams. There must be a way round the practical problems.

David Cannon
A sad day!

Mandy Firman
i love the sound of Guy Campbells voice please could you put a picture of him on the website....

Molly Missouri U S A
I once lived in a flat in Southwold.I left England in 1981, and to this day I still have a framed photo of the Drey horse at a delivery.So sad this wonderful experience has to come to an end.Thanks for the great story.

Michael of Reydon
It will be such a shame when the dray horses go, another part of history will be lost. I am sure Adnams could find a way of keeping them if they wanted to. I expect it is a cost cutting exercise more than a practical one.