Donkey Stone Wharf, as it is known, is part of the Ashton Old Wharf at the end of the Ashton Canal before it links into the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. This is where Eli Whalley founded his company in the 1890s to manufacture donkey stones, which were produced in huge quantities to meet the demand for the mainly northern tradition of donkey-stoning stone steps, windowsills and the area of pavement outside (known as the 'flags' or 'front').
Donkey stones were about the size of a large bar of soap and when being used they needed to be wetted as they were scoured over stone surfaces. This was a regular chore performed by generations of housewives at the terraced houses of Lancashire and Yorkshire.
Donkey stones took their name from the image of a donkey used by the largest 19th century manufacturer. On the other hand, Eli Whalley used a lion as his trademark and the inspiration for this came from childhood visits to Belle Vue Zoo at Gorton, Manchester.
Eli Whalley's company reached its peak during the 1930s when it was producing around 2.5 million donkey stones every year. By 1973 the owners of the company were Gilbert Garside and his son, Harry, but, by this time, production had shrunk to about 720,000 stones a year. However, it outlived all other manufacturers to become the world's last surviving donkey stone manufacturer and Eli Whalley & Company remained in business until 1979.
In recent years a new entrance has been created on Lower Wharf Street with gates and a sculpture designed by Paul Margetts.
The sculpture is Flying Geese Wind Vanes. They are 5.5 metres high and turn in the lightest breeze.
A blue plaque celebrating the life of Eli Whalley has been fitted in the gable of his bothy.
For more about Eli Whalley see the Eli Whalley website.
Fore more information about Donkey stones see Pony Brand Cleaning Stones
For more D posts visit ABC Wednesday.
You have taught me something new. I would never have guessed what it was from the name! A great post.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I love about blogging...so many things to learn. Thanks for the fascinating information and great pictures.
ReplyDeleteEverytime I visit your blog I have to look at Hude Daily, but tonight I found THIS TOO
ReplyDeleteAlways find or learn something new! And like photowannabe said, it's what I love about blogging! Marvelous pictures and fascinating info!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
I think your donkey trumped my dolphin this week on the lateral front. Donkey stoning stone steps is definitely new to me and does sound like an real tongue twister.
ReplyDeleteDonkey stones, - what an intriquing name - appropriate I guess for something so utilitarian. I'm glad I didn't have to scrub them!
ReplyDeleteWow! I was stumped...hadn't a clue what a donkey stone was - so interesting! Thanks!r
ReplyDeletenew to me too; thanks
ReplyDeleteEven read through the Wiki, I still have doubt of how donkey stone was used. Interesting piece of household history.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! I learned something new today; thanks for sharing! I'm glad I don't have to scour my steps today, though:)
ReplyDeleteJust a tiny correction, Gerald - the wharf is at the end of the Ashton Canal. The Huddersfield Narrow Canal starts at the nearby road bridge at Whitelands.
ReplyDeleteThanks Martin - I always understood that the HNC started at Portland Basin like the PFC - I'm going to have to correct a few of my Geograph photos in the light of this information.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of donkey stones before. And housewives used to scour them? Hmmmm.
ReplyDeleteI really, REALLY like the geese sculpture.
Well, there you go! I always thought they used soap and a scrubbing brush - and maybe they did in London, where I was born.
ReplyDeleteThe donkey stone probably explains the huge amount of wear on doorsteps. Seems likely the middle would get heavier scouring than the sides and maybe that is more the reason the old ones are so dipped in the centre.
What lovely gates. Fascinating post. Glad we don't have to use those now, bet it was hard work.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and I love to learn more about your country all the time! :D
ReplyDeleteI remember using Donkey Stones (from the Rag and Bone Man but that's another story). We would have a bucket of water and an old cloth. We would dip the donkey stone into the water, wet and wring out the cloth and rub the cloth onto the donkey stone to make a creamy paste, the paste was then applied to the flags you were cleaning. It was an artwork as you had to smooth the surface to make sure the paste had been applied evenly. I hope you can get the gist of this a little more reading the above. Thankfully we left Manchester back in 1967 and moved to a new house where we didn't have to use donkey stones!! As usual Gerald really great post and very interesting to read for those not familiar with donkey stones. Linda
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