BACK in 1971 when the Abergavenny Chronicle published a supplement celebrating its first 100 years, there were many people in the town who well remembered council workman Edgar Dobbs and his faithful friend, a grey gelding called Royal.

Until their retirement in 1963, Edgar and Royal were a familiar sight in the town undertaking general work and taking refuse to the tip but as reporter Clive Nash explains in his story published in the Chronicle supplement, things could have been very different for Royal…

Many people in the town will surely remember Mr Edgar Dobbs and the borough horse, Royal who were a common sight in the town until 1963

Royal, a grey gelding, was the council’s workhorse - but he might never have been had it not been for Mr Dobbs

“Royal had been bought by Mr Ted Davies from Cwm Forest Far, Talgarth and I knew he was going to be send to London to be slaughtered. He was only five years old and we needed another horse because the brown one I was driving had nearly finished his working days,” said Mr Dobbs

“I told Mr Davies to try the council and the brown one was put in part exchange for Royal. He turned out to be a good workmate.

“We were together from May 1, 1945 until Royal retired in 1963,” he added.

In those years they did general work and for some time were involved in taking refuse to the tip.

“He was a big horse, over 18 hands and a really jolly old fellow,” said Mr Dobbs. “He used to follow me around like a child.”

Mr Dobbs, who will be 75 in October, retired himself a fortnight after Royal. His old friend died several months later in peaceful retirement in the Swan Meadow, near the bus station.

Mr Dobbs, who lives in Tiverton Place, Abergavenny, was born near a farm and says he was reared along with ponies and horses.

“I have worked with horses all my life,” he said. “I can think of no other work that would have pleased me. Before joining the council I worked with horses on timber haulage and other things.”

Royal - the last horse employed by the borough council - has a special place in history, his harness, including breeching and double harness are in the museum - a gift from the council.