The company was originally based on Eastgate North, Driffield, close to the mill and to the stables but those days were brought to an end when the stables burned down in 1952.

Colin Lawson, who ran the business from the 1970s, said it was a very busy yard in the early days when horses were used to move the coal.
The last horse employed by the firm, until the 1950s, was a shire horse called Jenny, who is pictured with Frederick Lawson. The picture used to be displayed in The Rink, the entertainment venue on Eastgate North.
Mr Lawson said: "She was bought at a horse sale in George Street where there was a paddock and a blacksmith's shop. They had a sale of shire horses in autumn and she was bought from there.

"Jenny was described as 'quiet in all gears' which meant she was fit for work in all conditions."

Coal used to be brought into Driffield by train and workers would shovel the coal on to their carts to take to the yard before distributing it.

Under Mr Lawson's leadership, the company experienced the knock-on effect of the growing popularity of gas to heat homes.

Mr Lawson also had to contend with rail strikes and miners strikes which affected the business.

The number of coal merchants has dwindled over the years which means the area the firm supplies has grown as the competition has thinned out.
Being a coal man is usually associated with getting covered from head to foot in coal dust, but Mr Lawson said the job has its perks.

He said: "It's nice to go around the villages in the spring and summer. In winter it can be hazardous if there is snow, but to be out and about in the countryside is a great pleasure."

When Mr Lawson retired, his son, Jolyon, came to the fore and had to devise new ways of keeping the businesses profitable.

He has made headway into the pre-packed market which means he provides bags of coal which are sold in places such as petrol station forecourts.
The firm has soldiered on through difficult times and triumphed with ideas which have allowed its trade to flourish in the 21st century but a new challenge may now present itself.

F W Lawson and coal merchant Roy Irvine, who shares the Eastgate South site, fear the recent sale of the land on which they are based to a property developer may mean they have to find new premise.

And they are worried that finding a suitable premises will either be very expensive or impossible.
Mr Irvine said: "I am very upset at what has happened. We have had no contact from the buyer and with the planning application going in we think we are going to be moved on."

Mr Irvine, who has been at the site since 1982 and working with coal since the age of 14, added: "The problem is you cannot put a coal yard anywhere because of the dust factor. It's so sad and we have not been offered anything. The council have never come back to us to tell us if we need to find another spot."

As far as Mr Lawson and Mr Irvine are concerned, they are already in the ideal location and manage to complete their work in the yard without complaint from the neighbours.

Mr Lawson junior summed up the situation as he sees it: "The plight of local business never seems to be taken into account when there is building to be done. We are being trampled on by the power of money.

"We will probably have to relocate one way or another and not many people want a coal yard next to them. To build a new premises will take a lot of putting together. "