As is my wont, I love a good mooch around charity shops finding the kitsch, bizarre and sometimes a treasure, today was such a day. I noticed in a glass case in one of the many charity shops, in Eccles, a commemorative plate, which caused me to stop and stare, hardly believing what I could see. A plate showing Daniel Adamson, one of the driving forces behind the inception of the Manchester Canal project. It reads, "Eccles and Patricroft Demonstration Ox Roasted August 31st 1885, Royal Assent August 8th 1885" I did a bit of research and found that an ox roast took place in Patricroft where celebrations took place following the passing of the Manchester Ship Canal Bill in 1885. The Bill gave the go-ahead to the scheme to build a canal to link Manchester with the sea, this was welcomed by towns in the Manchester area such as Eccles as the promise of future prosperity. I think that slices of roast ox was served to people celebrating this event but doubtful they were served on plates of this quality and money raised went to a local charity. The Working Class Museum, Salford has one in their collection which I remember seeing many years ago. The following photograph taken on that date is captioned "A Grand Demonstration held at Eccles, 31st August, 1885. Promoted by the Eccles & Patricroft Ship Canal Committee. Chairman W S Boddington, Esq. In celebration of the passing of the Bill. (The wagon is supplied by Stephen Shawcross of Eccles). I have no idea who donated this plate to the charity shop but I am eternally grateful for their kind deed and it has gone to a good home...mine! Are there many more of these plates in circulation? I have no idea how many were made and if these were sold for charity, be interesting to know.
