A "Curious Custom" in North Clifton
The ferryman and his dog
Luca Giodarno
In his book “Nottinghamshire Facts and Fictions” (Nottingham: Shepherd Bros., 1870) John Potter Briscoe writes
"A CURIOUS CUSTOM
The inhabitants of North Clifton were formerly ferry free. In consequence the ferryman and his dog were indulged with a dinner each at the vicar’s at Christmas, and it is said that the minister’s dog was turned out of doors whilst the ferryman’s dog enjoyed itself. The ferryman also on that day received of the inhabitants a prime loaf of bread".