Event Description
To complement the restoration of the last donkey shed on the hills by the Malvern Hills Trust for which Malvern Civic Society has made a contribution, this year’s blue plaque will commemorate Alice Betteridge, the last of Malvern’s practising donkey-women. Alice lived in Rock Cottage for her whole life, her father having previously operated the adjacent toll gate. For a penny he would open the gate for a horse and its rider.
Alice succeeded her grandmother and mother in the donkey business. They tethered their donkeys for hire at the now restored shed in Happy Valley. The donkeys carried their riders up to St Ann’s Well and the Worcestershire Beacon.
Location: Rock Cottage (follow the track north out of the North Quarry car park to the first house on the left; please note this is a private residence)
No booking required.
Image: Kate Wrigglesworth