Come on down as you are next! You employed me for my fourth job, time 1981 – 1983 and over two years (I will do a list of my jobs, if I remember them all!). Mr Wiley, how you put up with me maybe I shall never know but I loved my time at Wiley’s Cycles and Toys on James street Bradford. At the time I would say I was certainly unemployable, I now know why.
I think I know how and why I got that job.
A main memory is of when I went to the store building over the road, I built a block of box’s near the door and waited, it was dark, the door opened and my name was called, at that instant I pushed all the boxes over you, why? I was hoping someone else would come over and join me but, I didn’t know it was you!
Stepping round the box’s I saw you on the floor searching for your spectacles ‘Mr Wiley’ fuck me I shit myself – it’s the boss. I ran to the shop, got my jacket and left straight away, unsure if I had cycled there that day? I rushed down to the “640” bus stop, it arrived, a best friend of my young years Adrian Crabtree was on the top deck, I sat next to him and burst into a laughter of tears, I couldn’t stop crying with hysterical funniness.
By the time we got off at the same stop I had managed to tell him what had happened, he couldn’t stop laughing with me. Next day, I went to work – again not sure if I was on my bike or not? I went after certainly not wanting to go, but I dare not tell my parents as to what had happened. I remember going into your office and ‘Mr Wiley I’m, ‘it’s ok Stuart, it’s fine’ thank you Mr Wiley’ and that was that.
You were brilliant but for the next bit, over those two years I got hold of and stole alot of cycling equipment from the shop, alot. I did end up with a great ‘best’ bike and a decent winter bike. Sorry.
Ann (Whyatt?) was also great, was her husband the Bradford City groundsman? Must admit, as well as your daughters I also fancied her, erm, anyway.
A huge thank you to you Sir, you were a great friendly employer. I did see you on the train in Ilkley a while ago but dithered to say hello so sat behind you and your wife.
All I could find is here Wileys Cycles and Toys.
