The polo field also provided a source of income for us boys as most of the gang were involved. Most Saturdays in the summer they held polo matches when several dozen horse boxes and cars would arrive. We would take it in turns to open the field gate to let the horse boxes and cars in and again at the end of the afternoon to let them out. For this we would get a penny or tuppence from the drivers. We would also hold the horses between games when they removed the saddles and wiped the horses down.

On a hot day the horses would come in covered in perspiration and white sweat and often with their flanks badly cut and bleeding. Most of the polo players had star shaped spurs attached to their riding boots which used to shine in the sun. I remember one day picking up a pair of riding boots and spinning the spur wheels . I was surprised at how sharp their points were. The grooms would freshen up the horses while we held the bridle and patch up the ragged skin flanks. For holding the horses which would go on until about seven in the evening, we would be given about sixpence on average, although on some days (I suppose if they were feeling generous after a good afternoon) we would have a shilling - an absolute fortune for us.