Butcher’s bike on display

From the The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald, first published Thursday 5th Jan 2006.

MEMORIES of a bygone age can be relived with an exhibit at the Wiltshire Heritage Museum in Devizes.

A bike used by WR Cook & Son butchers to deliver meat to customers has been given to the museum on permanent loan.

The bike dates from the 1960s and was used by brothers Steve and Andrew Cook to deliver meat some 30 years ago.

The bike belonged to their father Cliff Cook who ran the shop in the High Street, following on from his father Wilfred Bob' Cook.

The butcher's shop closed in 2004 when Andrew Cook, 44, moved to his brother's shop, Walter Rose and Son butchers in Sidmouth Street.

Andrew Cook said: "I have good memories of riding the bike delivering meat. There was a big basket at the front and back.

"I'm chuffed that it is on display in the museum."

The bike has not been used properly for 20 years.

It was made by the Birmingham bike maker Gundle and is on display in the museum's recent history gallery.

The museum has had the wheels replaced and the seat has been replaced with one from the same era.

Museum curator Paul Robinson said: "I'm thrilled to have the bike in the museum. I used to see it outside Cook's butchers shop when I walked through the town and it was a mini icon of Devizes."

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