Plague of rats
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Just as we may enjoy learning of our family history, it's entirely likely that some rats living in Brislington today have direct ancestors who lived comfortably (at least for a while) on the bonanza afforded by the left-over fruit from a jam factory...
"ALLEGED PLAGUE OF RATS AT BRISLINGTON Magistrates Inspect Refuse Tip A strange and not very inviting task was undertaken by the magistrates when they left Bristol police Court yesterday to inspect a refuse tip which was alleged to be over-run by plague of rats and mice.
The magistrates (Mr F. Leonard and Mrs E. Robinson White) went to the tip in a motor-car, and after an examination adjourned the proceedings until July 17 at 2pm.
They had listened to a case in which William Coles, the governing director, and Messrs Joseph Coles and Son, Ltd., asphalt and mortar contractors, of West Town, Somerset, were summoned for failing to prevent ground at Wick Road, Brislington, from becoming infested with rats and mice on certain land."
Western Daily Press - Friday 10 July 1936, page 5, col 4
Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000513/19360710/043/0005
Period: Modern
Find spot: Wick Road, Brislington
Exhibit contributed by Ken Taylor
Text written by Ken Taylor
Photographer: The British Library Board. Derived image by Ken Taylor (2017)
Acquisition number: 171126a2