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Horses and carriages have been Bill Palmer's passion and his life. Now it has come to an end and his world-renowned collection is to be sold. Chris Berry reports
Working horses have been a thing of the past in many areas of Yorkshire, indeed throughout the country, for some years now. The days when ploughs would be hauled and carriages were driven for business purposes have long since gone, with England's green and pleasant pastures, and roads, now more used to tyre tread than horse muck and hooves.
Ironically though, in some quarters, the keeping of horses has never been so popular with more and more people buying small tracts of land to exercise their four-legged companions. But for one man, someone known throughout the county by anyone with an interest in the splendour of carriage driving, one of the sights that always turns people's heads at shows, the end of his lifelong affair with the equine world is close.
Next month Bill Palmer, of Hall Ings Farm, Dunswell, near Hull, puts his entire stock of carriages and coach horses, harnesses and the rest under the hammer. It's going to be a highly emotional time for Bill as I talk with him in his magnificent tack room, resplendent with carriage lamps, whips, harnesses and all manner of riding equipment, as he consigns most of his lifetime's work to history.
The splendour of well-groomed horses pulling distinctive, pristine carriages evokes memories of bygone days and even though carriage driving was overtaken by the motor car many years ago the nostalgia remains. Bill's horses and carriages have appeared on TV shows, films and have been used in advertising campaigns. He is known throughout the showing world, having picked up a considerable amount of trophies and rosettes, and has also received additional income as a wedding service - but that is all set to come to an end.
Everything in Bill Palmer's life has revolved around horses and it's difficult to imagine what he will do without them. Pictures that adorn the walls of his home show either him or his family in...