Soap Suds - A Goat Who Predicted The Weather

Description

This photograph was sent to us by Elwyn Edwards who said: "Old Colwyn women in the early 1900s had come to rely on a huge Billy goat known locally as Soap Suds when it came to those washday blues. The family pet of the Edwards' family of Pen y Bryn, Billy had been part of a job-lot of pit ponies bought in Anglesey in 1914 by Jona Edwards, a local businessman. So tall was Billy, the children of the Edwards' family took great delight in riding him bareback before a special harness and rickshaw-type carriage was provided. Feted wherever he was driven, Billy had but one weakness - Sunlight Soap. He could munch his way through the 1ft-long washing aid of the day with ease and he would often be handed soapy nibbles from local village shopkeepers. But it was local ladies who took him to heart, particularly on a Monday - wash day. Word would soon get around the village when Billy stayed in his stable and gave the yard a miss. This was a clear indication that rain was on its way. Nine times out of ten Billy was right. Sadly, when the family had to move from Pen y Bryn, Billy ended his days on a farm in nearby Llysfaen at a ripe old age in the 1930s. My father often told tales of Billy. He was a real favourite with everyone and quite a character. As a weather forecaster, Billy was brilliant, but it was his soap eating antics that caused the greatest fun around the village. As dad once said - 'no wonder he was a good runner'. Billy is pictured with my Aunt Cora." The second photo shows Elwyn Edwards' father with Billy.

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