Apart from a couple of dogs, the nearest I can get to this weeks topic are these Blackpool rabbits. Here’s my maternal grandfather, Henry Coates, (back left) with three pals on an outing to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. My mother’s family are from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, and Blackpool was their nearest resort. “Wakes Week” was spent there when possible – this was a traditional summer break for the industrial towns of the midlands and north of England.
The stuffed rabbits must have been won at the Pleasure Beach or the pier – the ears are impressive! My grandfather was a miner, the coal face he worked at was below the village where he lived. The pit-head though was four miles away – so he had a four mile walk to the pit, down in the cage, and a four mile walk back along the tunnels before he could start work. A break in the bracing air of the Blackpool coast was probably very welcome.
Easter Family Genealogy 
That has to be one ofthe most unusual black and white pictures ever. Four men with two stuffed rabbits. It’s wonderfully quirky. I bet they looked forward to wakes week all year.
The think that struck me was the size of the men’s caps. Or did they need to be that size to match the rabbits’ ears? Great photo.
They were very well-dressed for a trip to the Pleasure Beach, I’d say. And those rabbits – well, what can you say? Rather funny. I hope there was a lucky recipient waiting at home. Very interesting description of what your grandfather went through to get to work.
Walking 8 miles a day would be tiring even without working.
Great photo! Those stuffed rabbits are so fun too. About what year do you think this photo was taken?
Great photograph! Love the rabbits and their hats!
Brilliant.
A very interesting photo. They all look like they have had a good day.
I have seen several BBC movies and mini-series filmed in England and Ireland and am amazed at how hard those men and sometimes women worked. Those are 4 sharp looking dudes. Interesting photo.