Iris, Lucy, John

[mark99]

Hednesford Basin

And David; 1957

[magnetman]

What is the gentleman on the right carrying? 

 

 

[fittie]

a Gladstone type bag?

[dave moore]

I’ve a vague memory of seeing bowling balls in this king of bag. Maybe it was Saturday and he was off for a game…..

[Derek R.]

Gladstone bags were popular with Doctors.

[ditchcrawler]

2 hours ago, Derek R. said:

Gladstone bags were popular with Doctors.

And debt collectors

[magnetman]

It seems to me that the object he is carrying is heavy because his other arm is out at an angle almost as it to balance it. 

 

 

 

 I think it is a metal object rather than a bag..

 

By his left foot there seems to be a ball which lends credibility to the idea he was off to do some bowling. The ball seems a bit small. 

 

 

Edited November 20, 2023 by magnetman

[Derek R.]

Such imagination.

[magnetman]

The chain from the back of the boat is interesting. 

[Nightwatch]

Looks like a small model of a narrowboat.

[magnetman]

That was my first thought too. 

 

Given that he is pointing at the back end of the narrow boat I wonder if the item in his hand is a model of a Bantam push tug or similar. 

 

"You strap it on and push from there' 

 

 

 

The date would be right. I think Bantam push tugs were produced 50s and 60s and of course anyone can make a push tug. 

 

Might it be a scale salesman's model of the MOUSE? 

[Nightwatch]

It’s only unknown until you know.

[max's son]

I thought it was a chain saw

 

Saying this one first

[magnetman]

If it was a model of a Bantam push tug the part he is holding would be the top of the wheelhouse. I think I can see portholes. 

A lot of Bantams were over 7ft but I think they also did narrow versions .

 

 

They could be air scoops for the engine. The black bit at the bottom looks like the raised bulwarks around the front. 

 

 

[mark99]

East Cannock Wharf nearby - and 50 odd years before