Eli Whalley blue plaque

This blue commemorative plaque records: Eli Whalley Donkey Stone Manufacturers The firm of Eli Whalley, the last mass producer of donkey stones in the country, closed early in 1979 and was based here at Donkey Stone Wharf. Donkey stones are scouring stones, named after the trade-mark of one of the earliest firms, Reads of Manchester, and were cream, brown and white. Originally used to put non-slip surface on greasy stone staircases in the mills of Lancashire and Yorkshire and later by proud housewives, who made stoning the front door step a form of decoration and competition. Eli Whalley's trade-mark, the "lion brand", impressed on the stones was taken from a photograph of live specimen in Belle Vue Zoo. Recorded plaque organisation: Tameside Metropolitan Borough.

Eli Whalley operated the last mass producer of donkey stones in the country, closing in 1979; his firm's "lion brand" trademark was inspired by a Belle Vue Zoo lion photograph. Donkey stones were essential for creating non-slip surfaces on mill staircases and later became a decorative household item, reflecting cultural practices of cleanliness and competition among housewives.