Mane event is caught by Star Witness snapper
It could only happen in the Black Country. The moment the sun shines, out come the horse drawn carts, heading from pub to pub and maintaining a centuries old tradition.
These evocative images taken by amateur photographer Mike Maynard capture perfectly the essence of a uniquely quaint Black Country tradition.
Every Sunday during the summer months, this group of horse lovers takes to the roads of the area, taking their horse drawn buggies from pub to pub laong routes which are more used to family saloons and 4x4s.
Mike, a retired GPO technician who took up photography while he recovered from health problems, sent in the pictures to the Express & Star's new Star Witness internet page, which encourages readers to show off their camera skills.
"I was just driving past and I saw them," he said.
"They were just leaving the Fiery Holes pub in Great Bridge Road, near Gospel Oak.
"I think they meet there every week. This week they said they were going to the Frying Pan pub in Darlaston, and I think they sometimes also go to the Staffordshire Knot in Wednesbury."
Mike, aged 65, from Willow Avenue, Wednesbury, said he particularly liked to capture images which showed a range of colours.
"I've also taken photographs of canals and narrowboats, the bright colours tend to stand out against the trees and the grey industrial landscape."
He also works part-time reviewing art exhibitions.
"It's a really nice old tradition, it seems to be particularly prevalent in places like Tipton and Wednesbury," he said.
"A lot of people seem to get it confused with things like the scrap merchants going around the towns and think the horses are not well cared for, but these all looked healthy and well turned out."
Whether it's an oss on the cut, or a mountain of faggots and grey paes, there are some things that you only see in the Black Country. So get snapping and send them in to Star Witness for your chance to win £100. To enter your photos and see the full gallery, click here.
