E
Eric Vey
Guest
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/36359/Stolen-the-bicycle-I-ve-been-riding-for-70-years
KEEP-fit fan Olive Pollard loved to ride the bicycle she was given 70
years ago when she was just 14.
But last night the widow was heartbroken after a thief stole the Raleigh
bike she even used during the war as a Wren.
Still trying to come to terms with the shock, she said: “I’ve had the
bike for so long and it has been everywhere with me.”
She added: “It’s only suitable for an old lady.”
The thief swooped when Olive left the cherished sports bike unlocked
outside a friend’s home last Friday afternoon.
It was the first time she has ever forgotten to lock it up since
receiving it as a gift on her 14th birthday in 1937.
Her older brother Derek paid the princely sum of four pounds 19
shillings and sixpence.
“That was a lot of money in those days, and I was delighted with it,”
said Olive.
She used the bike as a girl growing up in Suffolk, then took it with her
when she served as a Wren in Plymouth and Falmouth during the Second
World War.
After the war she moved to Gloucester in 1949 and used it to get to her
job in the Bon Marche department store, now called Debenhams.
She also fitted it with a small wicker basket and did her shopping by
bike after marrying Stan Gidazewski in 1950.
In recent times – almost 24 years since becoming eligible for a bus pass
– she kept herself fit and preserved her independence by still cycling
to her local sports centre for a swim, visiting family and friends or
attending church on Sundays.
Yesterday Olive, who has four grandchildren, said she was still shocked
by the theft in Seymour Road, Gloucester, between 3.30 and 4.30pm.
Almost in the hope that the bike might be returned to her, she added:
“It has white lettering around the back wheel.” In fact, friends have
given her another bike – but she is struggling to get used to the gears.
Yesterday her daughter Barbara Fenton, 53, said: “The bike will be
worthless to anyone else – and it will probably just be dumped.
“My mum has had it since she was 14 and it is of great sentimental value
to her. It is completely irreplaceable.
“She used it every day and it was vital to her independence.
“She was very upset when it was stolen because she has taken care of it
all these years.”
KEEP-fit fan Olive Pollard loved to ride the bicycle she was given 70
years ago when she was just 14.
But last night the widow was heartbroken after a thief stole the Raleigh
bike she even used during the war as a Wren.
Still trying to come to terms with the shock, she said: “I’ve had the
bike for so long and it has been everywhere with me.”
She added: “It’s only suitable for an old lady.”
The thief swooped when Olive left the cherished sports bike unlocked
outside a friend’s home last Friday afternoon.
It was the first time she has ever forgotten to lock it up since
receiving it as a gift on her 14th birthday in 1937.
Her older brother Derek paid the princely sum of four pounds 19
shillings and sixpence.
“That was a lot of money in those days, and I was delighted with it,”
said Olive.
She used the bike as a girl growing up in Suffolk, then took it with her
when she served as a Wren in Plymouth and Falmouth during the Second
World War.
After the war she moved to Gloucester in 1949 and used it to get to her
job in the Bon Marche department store, now called Debenhams.
She also fitted it with a small wicker basket and did her shopping by
bike after marrying Stan Gidazewski in 1950.
In recent times – almost 24 years since becoming eligible for a bus pass
– she kept herself fit and preserved her independence by still cycling
to her local sports centre for a swim, visiting family and friends or
attending church on Sundays.
Yesterday Olive, who has four grandchildren, said she was still shocked
by the theft in Seymour Road, Gloucester, between 3.30 and 4.30pm.
Almost in the hope that the bike might be returned to her, she added:
“It has white lettering around the back wheel.” In fact, friends have
given her another bike – but she is struggling to get used to the gears.
Yesterday her daughter Barbara Fenton, 53, said: “The bike will be
worthless to anyone else – and it will probably just be dumped.
“My mum has had it since she was 14 and it is of great sentimental value
to her. It is completely irreplaceable.
“She used it every day and it was vital to her independence.
“She was very upset when it was stolen because she has taken care of it
all these years.”
