Here’s one for all you neigh-sayers out there. Clip-clopping down the cobbles and stumbling through the murk and mist of yesteryear this week is a gentle giant that was a popular sight on the streets of Abergavenny in the day before the roads were riddled with cars, and a man and his shire horse could still roam the borough without having to suffer the toot toot of the terminally impatient and the vroom vroom of the vexed.

As you can see from this grainy old shot from the last century, riding around in your cart an horse was a pleasurable way to pass the time and take in the sights as you maybe smoke a pipe of industrial strength tobacco and sing a song or two about that “Old Time Feeling.”

Yet the fella and his magnificent beast featured in the photo aren’t just taking their pleasure in leisure they’re on their way to work.

The man’s name is Edgar Dobbs and his faithful friend is a horse named Major.

Prior to 1945, Edgar and Major were a popular sight on the streets of Abergavenny as they roamed the length and breadth of the old town, cleaning drains and taking care of business on behalf of the council.

Of course many readers will be more familiar with the horse that replaced Major in 1945 - a grey gelding called Royal who pounded the pavements with Edgar until they both retired in 1963.

The picture was brought to the Chronicle’s attention by PJ Watkins who found it amongst his father’s belongings.

The shot was taken on Frogmore Street, by the junction of St Michael’s Road, and captures a brief moment in time before Edgar and Major rode off into the pages of history and the old horse and cart was replaced by the arrival of the slightly less poetic man in his white van.

If you’ve got a blast from the past or something sage from a past age then get in touch with Tim Butters at [email protected]. Alternately you can pick up the phone and throw the dog a bone by calling 01873 852187 (30).