Catapults Mid Fifties

A Memory of Warlingham.

This brings back when us local lads would venture into the bike shop where he also sold modelling bits and pieces. By far the best elastic for our catapaults (sprogs) was 1/4inch elastic, we had to convince the bloke that it was for model aircraft so that he would sell us a couple of feet.

I just remembered also, that he used to sell a 'Penny Farthing Bike' made of fairly heavy duty stiff wire and a heavy 'flywheel' on the front around which we'd wind a bit of string and pull sharply, thus spinning the wheel, we then placed it upright on the pavement and it would take off for a few feet.


Added 13 April 2009

#224494

Comments & Feedback

Dad says the owner of the bike shop In Hamsey Green was Bill Croft. There was also 'square elekacky' that was used as a bumper on snooker tables, both infinitely better for sprogs than cut up inner tubes. Bill Croft also sold carbine for bike lamps and exploding syrup tins.
For a long, long, time, Bill Croft used to have a red, 5 speed benelux geared bicycle, suspended in the front window. I remember wishing that I could afford to buy it. Oh so long ago. In those days, life seemed so peaceful. Nobody was in a rush.

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