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Of the Characters that were to be seen in our neighbourhood, the rag and bone man was a frequent visitor. His shout of 'rag boney donkey stoney' was a signal for mothers to send their children with a few old articles of clothing to obtain a donkey stone. White, cream or brown stone which ever was your mothers preferance. There was a man who would summon his customers with a blast on a bugle. The man usually pulled a cart which he had hired from Cohens of Collyhurst or, Yoxall's of Miles Platting. Some carts were pulled by a sad looking pony. In later years, in addition to donkey stones it was possible to obtain a goldfish or a balloon. More recently rag and bone men did their rounds by motor car , and became rather choosy in the items they collected.