This article was first published in the West Sussex Gazette on March 11th 1999

Ernie Meredith continues with this second and final episode of his Broadwater cycle shop memories from years gone by:-

On the subject of prices, some to make your hair curl! Puncture outfit 1/3d, tubes 3'6d, Tyres from 7/6d. Raleigh 'Superb' the king of all bikes, 4 speed, dyno lighting and oil bath gear case £28.

It was not long before we had acquired some of the big names in the cycle and nursery worlds, which we felt gave us a status in the area. We were thrilled when we had the pleasure of supplying a new cycle to Mr. Norman Wisdom for one of the family.

Ernie Meredith's cycle polo team of the 1950s, including Mike Stinton, Dudley Nightingale, Gordon Kibbles and young mascot Jonathon Nightingale, photographed by Leslie Roberts

Seeing Pony Polo on T.V. I wondered if it was possible to play it on cycles, judicious enquiries put me in touch with a Cycle Polo Club, who gave me considerable helpful contacts in acquiring mallets, balls, stronger spokes etc., I then made up one bike by straightening front forks (plenty of mallet work here). Larking about on Broadwater Green I got one or two of the lads interested and started altering some more bikes and we soon had a team, at this time I acquired a 'fairy cycle' and with the hammering etc. I got it to look like a pucker polo bike.

I now have to find a 'Mascot' size rider and through inspiration and the co-operation, Dudley Nightingale (a player) and his Mother, his younger brother (Jonathan) took on the role. Some of the key players - Mike Stinton (Goalie) who proudly showed bruises all over where he had bodily stopped goals from a 6' bamboo root ball. Gordon and Peter Kibbles, other names elude me at the moment.

The next problem was getting an officially recognised pitch. This was not easy as the Council feared that bicycle tyres would do considerable damage to the surface. I eventually persuaded them to let me give a demonstration game on one of their football pitches.

Before the day arrived we had a lot of rain and the Council wanted to call it off because of the softness of the surface but having arranged a visiting team it was finally agreed (reluctantly) to permit us to go ahead. They had to admit at the end of the game that no harm had been done. We were then able to arrange home and away games.

Another gimmick we enjoyed was the Annual Father Christmas Posting Box that we put on the forecourt, a smaller version of a G.P.O. one for the children to post their Santa Claus letters, these were forwarded to Greenland and the children got replies direct.

After a few years a new bye-law came in, preventing us using our forecourt for any display. We realised that this would preclude us being seen from the 'main drag' as the shop itself was the only one, isolated from the main body of shops and set back.

Once again we took a chance and extended our frontage by acquiring a lease on the adjoining shop, recently vacated by Gray & Rowsell, this gave us a bit of visible frontage. We used these premises to further display our now much wider range of nursery equipment and toys.

About now a Children's Charity approached us with the request to supply presents for their Christmas Party. They would call in prior to the party and state the number of boys and likewise girls and an average price, we would then pack suitable items for the age groups, Christmas wrapped and labelled. This we enjoyed for more than one year, helped us to move stock and apparently gave the organisers satisfaction.

At the end of our first part of the lease, namely seven years, the rent was due to be considerably increased and our profit would not have been sufficient to carry the increase. We therefore put the business on the market and as there were very few interested when the most likely showed signed of cooling off, we jumped into the breech, drove down, I believe to Sidcup in Kent and finalised the matter amicably.

Meredith exit Worthing, and inflict ourselves on Caversham, nr.Reading, Berks, to purchase a double fronted small shop with living accommodation over, garage, store, and nice back garden. Post Office and General Store. (General you may say.) Grocery, provisions, confectionery, cigarettes and also paint and wallpapers as well.

Seven years later after deaths in the family and having no roots left in the South East (we went 'West Young Man') bought a bungalow at Croyds Bay, North Devon near to where we had in the past couple of years bought a cottage for summer letting. Feeling that, with this and the spoils of the above years, plus some part-time work during the holiday season and Bed & Breakfast, we could go into early retirement. This was spoilt to a degree (considerably) when the government brought out decimal currency.

Here we are 25 years later both late 70's and enjoying the West Country. We have sea views, lovely walks, lovely garden and a lovely dog (she is another story). Regards to those who remember us.

Ernie Meredith's popular cycle shop of the 1950s/1960s in Broadwater Street West.