Errol Riddin     (Wire)

Many times in this unique virtual novel
you will find that we have an awed respect
for the residents of Kowie from when my parents
moved there in 1952.

At times you will detect sadness when we mention
friends that are not with us any more. Only last week
my great friend Wes Sparks (Page 208) passed away
in a car accident in Cape Town. Attached letter from
Errol advises that Tickie Tarr passed away in Australia.

Not many people will know Tickie Tarr. But you'll find his name
elsewhere in this book. He used to drive thru to Kowie from PE
with Rob Smith. I think Rob drove a Matchless.(These were GOOD PEOPLE.)
Even my parents were their friends. MLI was, I think Mr. M L Isaacson.
My sister Priscilla in East London will confirm that for me.

I remember Errol Riddin for as long as I have lived. In my memory
he worked with Wolf Thackeray at Percy Wesson's garage long ago.
He and Mike Lisher would set any dance floor alight. Mike was known
as Mr. Fire-eyes. He earned the name. And the late Jimmy Goddard -
nicest person you could ever meet.

"Roooooooooowli'e cooooooming ova". meant that Roley Clayton
was driving thru from PE for the weekend - to quote Jimmy and
Errol at their best, copying uncle Alan Clayton.

Here's Errol's letter, for which I give humble thanks to a man who's been
there - stayed there - made it work - and emerges with a smile after so
many, many years.

Hi Martin,
My name is Errol (Wire) Riddin. It has been such a pleasure reading your articles on the website. The names and memories that you have brought back to me are wonderful.

I was married to Daphne Samuel, Ronnie's sister, but she died tragically when still young from cancer. She had two sisters whom you will remember called Edith and Stephanie. Edith lives in Natal and Stephanie in Cape Town.

I have remarried and am very happy. I still live in the Kowie but travel a lot. My wife and I breed and show Pugs – the dogs with the flat noses-.

I have a Harley-Davidson and we have great fun riding around South Africa.

By the way do you remember Mr. MLI who had the Bio Cafe in Wharf Street.

On a sad note a pal of mine called Jimmy Goddard died in Port Elizabeth some time ago. I believe he was hit by a taxi. Also Tickie Tarr died in Australia about a month ago. I was fortunate enough to be able to speak to him on the 'phone two days before he died. I bought his Triumph Cub in1958

I bumped into Claude Pittaway today and we stood and reminisced about “Old Kowie”. Wish we could all get together some time. What a re-union that would be.

Do you remember the time when we could buy fish off the boats in Wharf Street? No more. Never see any boats catching fish now. Times change don't they.

Martin do you remember the time when Mike Haller and a crowd of the guys seconded Neville Schuddinh on the Marathon to East London? Mike had somehow acquired a second hand piano, loaded it on to a truck, and played it all the way to just outside East London when all hell broke loose and all one could see was pieces of piano flying through the air. Nothing was left by the time they arrived in East London. What a guy – what a good friend -

Anyway Martin I will keep in touch via e-mail and thanks again for your stories.

Errol (Wire) Riddin

PS Riddin is spelt with an i not an e.
 

martin@martinkruger.co.za     on the   www.kowietales.co.za  web pages