South Yorkshire Times, August 11th 1933

Leaving Wombwell

WombweII is shortly to lose one of its most successful gardeners. Mr. Benjamin Meredith, of 87, Roebuck Street, is leaving the town to live at Westbury where he is to take over the cottage and gardens attached to a manor. He is going into business on his own account as a smallholder.

Mr. Meredith is a native of Smethwick, but has lived in Wombwell 38 years. for fifteen years in Melville Street. Formerly employed at Mitchell Main, he joined the 13th Y. & L. in October, 1914, and was discharged as unfit for service in May, 1918. After the war he worked as a colliery carpenter at Darfield Main. Later he was employed by the Ministry of Labour at Wombwell for nine years.

Gardening has been a great hobby with Mr. Meredith for many years and he has gained experience as a worker in Wombwell Park. For three years in succession he has won the first prize in the greenhouse class of the competition promoted by the Wombwell U.D.C. for Council house tenants. His garden is a picture of beauty and healthy growth. In the cultivation of his garden he has had few natural advantages. It was formerly the site of a broad ash path running across the “Hilly Fields” and much hard work was necessary before it could be cultivated.

Always striving for novelty, he has been the means of introducing into many gardens in Wombwell a special kind of seedless nasturtium he picked up at Barnstaple. The many Wombwell friends of Mr. and Mrs. Meredith will wish them success and happiness in their new venture.